Description
Museum Collecting Lessons explains how and why museums meet their fundamental duty to collect. It is the first book of its kind to explore the diverse ways these unique institutions acquire what is preserved and used for exhibitions, programs, publications, and online applications.
The 11 chapters that make up the volume are written by museum practitioners working in art, history, and science museums in the United States, Canada, and India. Together, the essays provide fascinating insights into a wide variety of significant acquisitions and museum collecting initiatives. The authors explain customary collecting methods, including donation, purchase, and field retrieval. Commonly shared acquisition denominators are also covered and include mission pertinence, quality control, the feasibility and legality of acquisition, personnel and volunteer involvement, and long-term retention assurances. The philosophies and realities presented within the case studies shine light on recent debates about who is included or excluded in museum collections - especially when it comes to race, ethnicity, gender, political perspectives, places of habitation, and economic status.
Museum Collecting Lessons reflects upon past and ongoing issues relating to museum acquisition practices. Offering valuable insights about philosophical, practical, and ethical collecting practices, the book will be of interest to aspiring, beginner, and experienced museum professionals around the world.
Author: Steven Miller
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 05/26/2022
Pages: 156
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.54lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.36d
ISBN13: 9781032106427
ISBN10: 1032106425
BISAC Categories:
- Art | Museum Studies
- Art | Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions | General
- Language Arts & Disciplines | Library & Information Science | General
About the Author
Steven Miller began his museum career in 1971. He has served as a curator, administrator, director, trustee, writer, consultant, and museum studies educator. For 16 years he was an adjunct professor teaching core courses with the Seton Hall University MA Program in Museum Professions, South Orange, New Jersey, USA.
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