MS 103: The Basics of Museum Registration

January 8 to February 9, 2018

Instructor:  Peggy Schaller

Description:

Collections management is a critical component of running a museum. Most museums have collections and these collections drive the public functions and activities of the institution. Collections management is the physical and intellectual management of these items. In this course we will examine how information is collected and recorded for each object brought into the collection - a process called registration. We will also examine the policies that govern what is brought into the collection, including the most important piece of institutional policy--the museum mission statement. These policies are assembled into the collections management 'bible'--the registration manual. At the end of this course you should have a clear understanding of how and why collections are documented in museums and the governing principles that drive daily museum activities.

 

MS 106: Exhibit Fundamentals: Ideas to Installation

January 8 to February 16, 2018

Instructor: Karin Hostetter

Description:

Nearly every museum develops exhibits, but how can we improve communication with visitors while taking care of our objects? Exhibit Fundamentals explores exhibits from idea to final installation in a variety of settings. Topics include exhibit theory, the role of the museum's mission, creating a timeline, accessibility and script writing. Also covered are design elements, installation techniques, object safety and security, visitor safety and evaluations. Each student develops an exhibit plan for his or her museum.

 

 

MS 101: Introduction to Museums

February 5 to March 2, 2018

Instructor: Kimberly Kenney

Description:

The United States has more than 17,000 museums, we can only guess at the world's total. While most people think of a museum as a well-staffed, professionally run institution, the vast majority of museums are started and run by people with little or no basic training in museum studies or preservation. Introduction to Museums is designed to change that. The course introduces basic concepts, terminology and the role of various staff members, including curators, registrars and directors. Introduction to Museums is aimed at staff members, board members, interns, volunteers, as well as anyone interested in becoming a museum professional or learning more about the profession.

 

MS 235: Scripting the Exhibition

February 5 to March 2, 2018

Instructor: Karin Hostetter

Description:

So much to say and so little space in which to say it. That is the dilemma when scripting an exhibition. How do you say what needs to be said in the space available? How do you even figure out how to limit the information in the first place? Discover the value of themes, tangibles, intangibles, and universals in writing exhibit text that visitors really want to read -- and remember. Additional resources provided on font size and colors as well as label layout.

 

MS 238: Design and Construction of Exhibit Mounts

February 5 to March 16, 2018

Instructor: Tom Bennett

Description:

Sprucing up your exhibits with safe, effective, inexpensive mounts can be easier and more fun than you thought. With a few tools, good technique and a bit of practice, you will be well on the way to presenting your objects in their most interesting light, with an eye on long-term safety and security. Design and Construction of Exhibit Mounts presents the basics of mountmaking for the small to medium-sized museum including tools, techniques and materials. Be prepared to construct mounts during the course. Students will be sent a list of materials and tools to acquire before the course commences. Come along and exercise your creative side while doing the collection a world of good.

March 2018 Courses 

 

MS 108: Fundamentals of Museum Volunteer Programs

March 5 to 30, 2018

Instructor: Karin Hostetter

Description:

Volunteers are essential for most non-profit institutions. But good volunteers aren't born -- they are made. Even though they don't get paychecks, it takes time and money to have effective volunteers. Fundamentals of Museum Volunteer Programs teaches the basics of a strong volunteer program. Topics include recruiting, training and rewarding volunteers, as well as preparing staff. Instruction continues through firing and liabilities. Participants will end up with sound foundational knowledge for starting a new or strengthening an existing volunteer program based on a nine-step process.

 

MS 109: Museum Management

March 12 to April 13, 2018

Instructor: Sue Near

Description:

Sound business practices are critical for a museum to fulfill its mission. Sounds like vegetables, right? Museum management is complex. A museum exists to preserve collections and educate, but it is also an institution that must employ sound business practices while being accountable to the public as a non-profit organization. Instructor Sue Near teaches participants how to administer a successful museum efficiently and effectively. Participants will engage in discussions about the changing cultural climate and its effect on museum operations.

 

MS 215: Care of Archaeological Artifacts from the Field to the Lab

March 5 to 30, 2018

Instructor:  Diana Komejan

Description:
Archaeological finds come out of the ground fragile - and they often stay that way. Yet archaeologists and museum professionals have few clear guidelines for handling, moving, storing and displaying such materials. Participants in Care of Archaeological Artifacts From the Field to the Lab learn techniques for safely lifting and packing artifacts, safe transportation and temporary and permanent storage. The course also covers a broad range of excavation environments; including the Arctic, wet sites, tropical and temperate. Though Care of Archaeological Artifacts is not intended to train archaeological conservators, it is designed to help participants understand what can and can't be done to save the artifacts they unearth.

 

January

MS 103: The Basics of Museum Registration January 8 to February 9, 2018

MS 106: Exhibit Fundamentals: Ideas to Installation January 8 to February 16, 2018

 

February

MS 101: Introduction to Museums February 5 to March 2, 2018

MS 235: Scripting the Exhibition February 5 to March 2, 2018

MS 238: Design and Construction of Exhibit Mounts February 5 to March 16, 2018

 

March

MS 108: Fundamentals of Museum Volunteer Programs March 5 to 30, 2018

MS 109: Museum Management March 12 to April 13, 2018

MS 215: Care of Archaeological Artifacts from the Field to the Lab March 5 to 30, 2018

 

April

MS 001: The Problem with Plastics April 16 to 20, 2018

MS 209: Collections Management Policies April 9 to May 18, 2018

MS 214: Collections Management Databases April 9 to May 4, 2018

MS 223: Care of Metals April 9 to May 18, 2018

 

May

MS 011: Gallery Guides May 7 to 18, 2018

MS 211: Preservation Environments May 7 to June 15, 2018

MS 212: Care of Textiles May 7 to June 1, 2018

MS 226: Care of Furniture May 7 to June 1, 2018

MS 234: Archives Management May 7 to June 1, 2018

 

June

MS 222: Care of Photographs June 18 to August 3, 2018

 

July

MS 205/206 Disaster Plan Research and Writing July 2 to August 24, 2018

MS 207: Cataloging Your Collection July 2 to 31, 2018

MS210: Integrated Pest Management July 2 to August 10, 2018

MS 267: Museum Ethics July 2 to 31, 2018

 

August

MS 219: Opening and Closing Seasonal Museums August 20 to September 7, 2018

MS 236: Education in Museums August 6 to 31, 2018

 

September

MS 101: Introduction to Museums September 3 to 28, 2018

MS 233: Matting and Framing September 3 to 28, 2018

MS 237: Formative Evaluations for Exhibits and Public Programs September 3 to 28, 2018

 

October

MS 001: The Problem with Plastics October 15 to 19, 2018

MS 109: Museum Management October 1 to November 2, 2018

MS 209: Collections Management Policies October 1 to November 9, 2018

MS 238: Design and Construction of Exhibit Mounts October 1 to November 9, 2018

MS 259: The Volunteer Handbook October 1 to November 9, 2018

 

November

MS 002: Collection Protection - Are you Prepared? November 5 to 9, 2018

MS 007: The Mission Statement: Is it really that important? November 5 to 9, 2018

MS 014: Education Collections November 12 to 16, 2018

MS 211: Preservation Environments November 5 to December 14, 2018

MS 212: Care of Textiles November 5 to December 3, 2018

MS 218: Collection Inventories November 5 to December 3, 2018

How to submit an article or upcoming workshops for inclusion in the Newsletter:  

If you would like to submit an article, notice of an organizational meeting or upcoming workshop for an upcoming Collections Caretaker Newsletter, send your submission to peggy@collectioncare.org .  

 

We are always looking for contributions to this newsletter. Submission deadline is the 10th of each month. 

 

Have a comment or suggestion?   

 

Send it to peggy@collectioncare.org