Course overview
This course focuses on the life of objects as they move into, through and, sometimes, out of cultural institutions. It explores the complex histories of how objects have been acquired by museums and art galleries and how they continue to be managed, conserved and displayed by different institutions. Providing unprecedented access to local museums and the professionals who manage objects throughout their journeys, this course addresses key practical skills in museum practice including conservation, collection management, significance assessment and curation. Harnessing the diverse expertise of museum staff, scholars and heritage specialists, students will explore the broader principles, politics and ethics of contemporary custodianship.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the history of collecting in museums and art galleries
- Demonstrate an understanding of current best practices in the acquisition, cataloguing and processing of objects into collections
- Show an understanding of a range of intercultural issues concerning care, storage and display of objects and artworks
- Show an awareness of the specific conservation issues around different materials as stored and displayed in museums and galleries
- Show an understanding of the range of professional skills and proficiencies required to move objects and artworks into collections, how to care for them there, and how to share them in public-facing experiences.