Museums Under Attack: Damaged Art and Thefts

On the topic of museum registrars and the role of museums as protectors of valuable cultural objects, museums do have their share of "incidents," where works are damaged or taken by members of the public. Stealing art from museums continues, even with the best security systems. After all, museums are open to the public, and as such offer opportunities for objects to get under foot, or to generate an emotional response that is not always positive. And who can resist the high stakes involved, when a single painting can be worth upwards of 50 million dollars?

Search the web for a report of a work getting damaged by the public either by accident or on purpose to make a statement. Or find a story about an art theft, one that is either solved or unsolved (not using examples from class). Post a short summary (4 sentences) of the incident (when, where, how, etc.) and a live link to the story/video, no later than Monday, October 3, 5 pm upload. Thanks!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/25/boy-trips-in-museum-and-punches-hole-through-million-dollar-painting

Deaccessioning and Museums (or Martin Luther King Jr. and a Museum's Imperfect Collection)

Choose ONE of the two following issues for your next blog post:

1. Over the last decade, a number of prominent museums have faced dire financial straits, much like the situation the Delaware Art Museum encountered in 2014. In some cases the decision was made to deaccession works from the collection, with the plan of using the proceeds from the sales to pay off a debt, or face certain closure of the institution. As was made clear in the readings on the DAM, this practice goes against the AAM Code of Ethics, which states that money from the sale must "be used for acquisition or direct care of collections." It also goes against the mission of a museum and its service to the Public Trust.

Informed by the Delaware Art Museum readings, respond to this particular situation. What mistakes were made? What could have the museum done differently? Do you think the AAMD was right in sanctioning the DAM, and do you think there should be exceptions to the rule when the very survival of a museum is in jeopardy? Answer all questions in at least 4 sentences, and respond no later than 5 pm, Monday, September 26.

2. In building the museum collection, the National Museum of African American History and Culture's Director Lonnie Bunch wanted to acquire objects related to the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. as a way to situate him in the greater historical narrative and museum mission. Curator Rex Ellis made it clear to the family his interest in acquiring two objects: King's personal bible and his Nobel Peace Prize. A meeting ended with no donation, reinforcing the reputation of the family only offering loans of objects and only for a high licensing fee. Bunch decided not to ask for either to be loaned, as the museum prefers to seek out gifted works for the permanent collection. In the end, the museum decided to represent King through photographs, records, and buttons.

Having read the Washington Post article, https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/why-no-major-martin-luther-king-artifacts-will-be-at-the-new-african-american-museum/2016/09/11/be05624e-75d3-11e6-be4f-3f42f2e5a49e_story.html

please respond to this situation. How does this omission of objects affect the overall story being told by the museum? And the overall function/mission of the museum? In the end, is it possible to represent such an expansive history fully and fairly for all visitors? Answer all questions in at least 4 sentences and respond no later than 5 pm, Monday, September 26.

What Museum Jobs are out there?

Museum job titles and focus areas have been shifting over the last decade, responding in part to the expanding functions of museums in relation to audiences and interpretation. One of the key resources to learn more about what jobs exist (and are available) is the American Alliance of Museum's Job Board (called Job HQ): http://aam-us-jobs.careerwebsite.com/c/search_results.cfm?site_id=8712

Visit the site and explore. What is the range of job openings? Do they cluster around certain departments? What do the job openings say about the needs and/or nature of museums today? Or about specific institutions themselves?

Respond in at least 4 sentences, noting examples of jobs you discover, including what museum listed the opening(s). Upload no later than Monday, September 19, 5pm.

The Primary Focus of a Museum

Thinking about our discussions in class about the concept of museums as temples for the elite protecting objects or as pleasers of "the lowest common denominator," what do you think should be the main focus or function of a museum? How could such a function be communicated effectively to an audience? Use examples. Please respond in at least four (4) sentences, and upload to this blog no later than Monday, September 12, 5 pm. Thanks!