Collections in a Museum Essay

In the second story that I’ve read called Museums Preserve the Cultures of The World says that “sometimes museums agree that it is appropriate to return these items, but sometimes the other museums don’t return the items back to the right museums that

Museums have become crucial in society due to the sustainability of Cultural Heritage within the UK. For relevance to future generations, museums and galleries must show their social purpose by becoming increasingly aware of visitors wants need for a valuable experience. Through the development of their customer service roles will help examine the ways in which museums can expand their communication practices and achieve best practice (McLeod, 2012). Per ONS (Office of National Statistics) states that since 2008, there has been 10 million visitors increase in the UK museum market which suggest there has been a positive change in either the consumers visiting or the museum ethos. This essay investigates the power of ethics within the museums setting regarding human remains, the challenges that have arose as well as changes in the Museum sector, specifically the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow, that have become apparent over the past decade.

Prepare a floor plan of the Museum, identifying priority artifacts or displays for immediate recovery in case of an emergency.

Museum/Gallery Critique: A museum, gallery, or private collection visit followed by a written critique, two-page minimum, typed and double-spaced are required for this course. Detailed instructions will be distributed and

So many people see history as something dry and lifeless but in reality it is a study that is full of life. There is no better way to see this than through the lens of archaeological artifacts. The people of the past are intrinsically a part of these objects. They were shaped by human hands; some were used in everyday life while others only meant to be appreciated as art. In any case, they show the vitality of history which can sometimes be obscured by the centuries. I want to work with a collection that deals with archaeological artifacts, and ideally I would like to work with objects of Greek or Roman origins. One day I would like the opportunity to create an exhibit where the viewer can see how the objects relate to a whole as well as their own individual characteristics. I want others to have the same sort of experience I had while walking through the Byzantine and Christian Museum; I want them to have a moment of connection to the past and see how alive history can be. I am especially interested in the courses that the Museology program offers which teach the proper methods to curate archaeological collections. The experience of working with the objects in the Burke Museum will benefit my goal of curating a

However, artifacts should not be repatriated to the countries of their origin because museums are to educate people about different places, things, objects, cultures, and eras. If the artifact is donated then the museum’s highest priority is to honor the donor’s wishes. And if the museum found the artifact(s) in a foreign country, then it should stay with museum

The author also points out that often items are split-up and redefined into new collections, that do not always makes sense. Collecting started out as a way to define status in society, but today has evolved into who can gather the most interesting collection of everyday items. For example, the Smithsonian has started collecting sick bags from airplanes. It would be important to question if these types of collections are necessary and what limits are going to need to be imposed, especially when there are many collections that sit in Museum vaults, collecting dust. Wouldn’t it make more sense for the museums to exhibit these dusty collections instead of gathering more? I think the author’s look at why we practice the art of collecting is valid and relevant in today’s society. She points out that it is so ingrained in us, that we impulsively gather collections of things whether there is a need for those items or not. It is possible that collecting is a form of self-expression but what happens in the future when museums are full of collections that have not cultural or historical value or significance? I think it would be fair to point out that the definition of collecting is being redefined in today’s society but to what extent and where do the limits need to be

From what I learned from the past assigned readings and class discussions, one of the difficult decisions that museums have to make is do they return their objects/artifacts back to their original countries or cultural group. This issue is an ethical dilemma because, would it be the museum to legally keep the objects because of their belief that they can protect and use these items (Warren 1999: 1-20). Or, would it be ethical for the museum to return the items that were previously removed from their country or place of origin. Based on my lecture notes and discussion for this week’s class, one of the ways which many countries and cultural groups are able to acquire back their objects/artifacts legally is through the process of restitution and

Question 5: A good crisis communication they should have in place is to have any sort of apology ready to go sense this a museum and people can get hurt by some of the displays. With a formal apology always ready the museum can show that they care about their stakeholders

The next category that the financial mission statement tries to fill is priorities. Maintaining current exhibitions and collections is the main priority because they are what make money. The main collection critical to the infrastructure of a museum and are what keep the public coming back. Special exhibitions are important and should be funded because they bring in the most press and public excitement, but they often lose money because of indirect costs that come with them (Anderson 5-6). Making branding a priority is a smart move because it broadens the museums reach, and creates a new form of revenue with the selling of museum specific

Special Collections have a reputation of being closed off or exclusive. While everyone who works at one would like to think that their institution is the one exception, that is not always the case. The only way to battle this perception is to come up with new and innovative ways for outreach. In an article by Daniel Traister, he discusses what it means for Special Collections to have exclusivity versus openness. When not reaching out to new audiences, Special Collections only perpetuate that exclusive reputation. “Managers of such collections must seek innovative ways of increasing their functionality or expect to see these collections cease to exist” (Traister, 55). These types of outreach could be from new exhibits, programs, and even blogs

At the end of the long massive granite hall lined with intricately carved marble panels telling stories of gods, myths and stories reside the British Museum’s infamous classical Greek sculpture collection, Elgin Marbles. Even before the word “archeology” was coined the removal of artifacts from their original context or location have been occurring. From Egyptian mummies, to imperial treasures of China, to the Elgin Marbles from Greece, objects have been taken from countries to be sold for profit, saved for private collections or put in museums for most of society’s existence. However, in the past few decades, governments have taken action in asking for such objects to be returned to their indigenous culture. Unfortunately, museums like the

One of the major controversies confronting museums today is the issue of repatriation. Large museums are constantly facing claims of object ownership made by so named ‘source nations’ (Merryman, 2009, 183), claiming that the objects constitute a part of their cultural heritage and should be returned. There are, however, those who argue against repatriation, claiming that it does more harm than good. Additionally, others believe that objects of cultural significance constitute a piece of the culture of all humanity. I would argue that concern should rest on the objects and their well being. Objects should be seen as pieces of the culture of the whole human race and preserved for scholarship and future generations.

This week readings discusses both the history of museums, primarily in the United States, and their evolution from high brow institutions to ones that serve, educate, and engage the populace. The articles also trace the constant discussions museum professionals had regarding the focus and dissemination of their collections. These articles all agree that museums must transform from places that solely focus on the collection, preservation, conservation, and dissemination of rare items to ones that also become a part of the community, represent the many voices and interests of the public, educate, and become a forum for discussion about issues beyond the items in a glass case of hung on he wall.

The Executive Director of the Museum begins to restore this organization with clear point of view, that the