module_3

Assets in Museums and Collections Operation/Management

Abstract

Focusing on the basic processes on the management and operation of contemporary cultural institutions and museums, in this 20-hour 5-unit module we delve into the basics of collections’ management (Unit 1) and the primary processes to acquire, document and present heritage material through exhibitions (Unit 2).

We also examine the strategies and aims of audience development in the museum context, as well as the challenges currently faced by the museum sector regarding social inclusion practices (Unit 3).

Finally, we examine the role and importance of evaluating the offerings of museums, as well as the ethical considerations that should be considered during this process (Unit 4). The module sums it all up in a comprehensive recap session (Unit 5).

Case studies derive from the European museum context with further references to museums and cultural heritage institutions all over the world.

Key points for discussion and reflection throughout the course

Museum collections: objects and concepts
Museum skills: Managing collections, developing exhibitions.
The exhibition development process
Key competences concerning the museum collections preservation and development
The aims and methods of audience development in the museum context
The importance of social inclusion in museums
Key aspects of evaluation and data collection for museum offerings

Duration

20 hours (4+4+4+4+4): Unit 1 = 4 hours, Unit 2 = 4 hours, Unit 3 = 4 hours, Unit 4 = 4 hours, Unit 5 = 4 hours

learning outcomes

By the end of the module, learners will be able to:

Have a rounded understanding of collections’ management.
Recognize and evaluate primary processes for developing and communicating a collection.
Understand the museum exhibition universe.
Develop ideas and proposals relating to the exhibition process.
Understand the concepts of audience development and social inclusion in the context of museums
Identify opportunities for the development of initiatives for the inclusion of marginalised groups in museums
Understand the basic data collection methods that can be used for evaluating museum offerings
Identify the ethical challenges that relate to the evaluation of museum exhibitions and online offerings

Structure

Abstract
Duration
Learning Outcomes
Key points
Structure
Writers
Resources
Case studies from Europe and the rest of the world

Unit 1: The basics of collection management
– Abstract
– Learning Outcomes
– Activities
– Self-assessment
Unit 2: Organising exhibitions
– Abstract
– Learning Outcomes
– Activities
– Self-assessment
Unit 3: Audience Development and Inclusion
– Abstract
– Learning Outcomes
– Activities
– Self-assessment
Unit 4: Evaluation of Museum Offerings
– Abstract
– Learning Outcomes
– Activities
– Self-assessment
Unit 5: Recap: Assets in Museums and Collections operation/management
– Abstract
– Learning Outcomes
– Activities
– Self-assessment

Tutors

Prof. Georgios Papaioannou
Prof. Anne Hertzog
Dr Dorothea Papathanasiou-Zurt
Dr Aldo di Russo
Dr Stylianos Lekakis
Dr Maria Shehade

Resources

Case Studies from Europe and the international context

units

unit_1: The basics of collection management

Abstract

This introductory 4-hour unit focuses on the basics of collection management. Collections lie in the heart of the museum, be it tangible items or intangible information and other archival material that document aspects of the human civilisation.

The unit aims to examine the fundamental issues around this basic resource of the museum and the relevant management processes: acquisition, documentation, preservation and sharing for the benefit of the public.

The unit also investigates contemporary issues surrounding museum collections and the relevant skills to tackle them.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of unit 1, learners will be able to:

Understand the concept of museum collections.
Elaborate on the primary processes for the appropriate collection management.
Examine challenges for collection management in contemporary museums.
Describe skills and relevant expertise to overcome them.
Argue on the key points via posts, short reports and comments on each other’s work.

Activities

Study, Reflect, Comment & Share

0. Preparation:
– Check the key points mentioned in the introduction.
– Get ready to use some of the resources offered in the introduction.
– Activities in this unit relate to reading, producing and sharing and commenting on educational material. Be creative, resourceful, critical and communicative!

1. Museum collections
Museums (also galleries, archives and libraries, the GLAMS!) are keepers and stewards for collections of items, important for the preservation, documentation, accessibility and knowledge expansion on primary heritage materials. They serve the public through exhibitions and various other communication activities.

Read resource nº 01. Then, locate your closest (geographically) museum with a website and try to spot their five prominent collection management principles, i.e. relevant to: Acquisition, registering, documenting, preserving, interpreting, curating, accessing and using items. Offer your spotted principles in a tweet (254-character comment) and comment on two of your colleagues’ tweets #museumcollections1 #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

2. Developing collections – acquiring items
Watch resource nº 3 and reflect on the importance of the ‘collection management policy’, equally critical to the museum mission statement (check Module1), especially for the small museums. At the core of this policy lies the acquisition of items, involving: choice criteria (e.g. for historical or museological or even material purposes), representation criteria and classification criteria. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

Now, locate the closest collectible object that you can see. It can be a pencil, a paperclip or even your computer. Create a couple of criteria for your own ‘collection management policy’, referring to item acquisition. If you were to develop a collection of one of these items, would you care for history, and/or representation and/or something else?

Post your choice criteria on a blog post or social media post #museumcollections2 #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

3. Contemporary challenges and emerging opportunities
Watch resource nº 04. What contemporary challenges and emerging opportunities can you spot for the ‘collection management’ curator/specialist in the contemporary museum?

Comment accordingly with a 150-word blog post or social media post #museumcollections3 #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

4. Curator vs the others

Watch resource nº 02 on museums’ collection management related jobs and experts. Can you spot any skills that can feature in the museum of the future? Share them in a tweet (254-character comment) and comment on two of your colleagues’ tweets #museumcollections4 #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

Self-Assessment Exercise 1: True / False

Go to https://forms.gle/xgHAaiK1ZHot9fP59

Self-Assessment Exercise 2

Go to https://forms.gle/KdbKDfeepxdsXRJN7

unit_2: Organising exhibitions

Abstract

This 4-hour unit discusses the basic elements of a museum exhibition conceptualization and development. Through hands-on exercises it explores the process from the assembling of the exhibition team to the conceptual and design development of the exhibition. It presents the main challenges in the contemporary museum environment as well as the critical skills need to mobilise resources and troubleshoot.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of unit 2, learners will be able to:

Understand the process of an exhibition development.
Create an interpretative hierarchy for a hypothetical exhibition.
Acquire a basic understanding of the interpretative tools available.
Get an overview of the role of the text in a museum exhibition.

Activities

Study, Reflect, Comment & Share

0. Preparation:
– Check the key points mentioned in the introduction.
– Get ready to use some of the resources offered in the introduction.
– Activities in this unit relate to reading, producing, sharing and commenting on educational material. Be creative, resourceful, critical and communicative!

1. The exhibition development team

To develop an exhibition requires teamwork. Watch resource nº 5 and try to identify how many people might be needed to develop an exhibition. What do they do? What are the skills needed?

Offer your comments in a tweet (254-character comment) and comment on two of your colleagues’ tweets #museumexhibition1 #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

2. The interpretative hierarchy

Go back to “your collection”, developed in Unit 1. Was it pencils, paperclips or computers?

Decide on your interpretative hierarchy: 1. Big idea, 2. Key messages, 3. Critical questions for your hypothetical exhibition. You can consult resource no. 6 (pg.7).

Post your interpretative hierarchy on a blog post or social media post #museumexhibition2 #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

3. Concept and schematic design

Now you’ve done the difficult part, it’s time to get creative. Plan your conceptual design for your hypothetical exhibition, i.e. the conceptual mainframe of your exhibition, including an overview of the exhibit and its main messages. You can consult resource nº 6 (pg.6).

Self-Assessment Exercise 1 - True / False

Go to https://forms.gle/m1bLeQvNwBsNM7LS7

unit_3: Audience Development and Inclusion

Abstract

This 4-hour unit focuses on Audience Development and Inclusion Strategies for Museums. Through hands-on exercises and case studies from the European and International context, the unit aims to examine the strategies and aims of audience development in the museum context, the role of digital technologies in this, as well as the challenges currently faced by the museum sector with regard to social inclusion practices. By examining particular case studies, the Unit also aims to familiarize students with current good practices with regard to the inclusion of marginalized groups, visitors with disabilities and the elderly.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of unit 3, learners will be able to:

Understand the concepts of audience development and social inclusion in the context of museums
Elaborate on the role of digital technologies in the development of new audiences
Identify and assess the current role of museums with regard to social inclusion practices
Elaborate on social inclusion strategies in museums and the benefits of this for the museum sector and the social role of museums
Identify opportunities for the development of initiatives for the inclusion of marginalised groups in museums

Activities

Study, Reflect, Comment & Share

1. Audience Development in Museums

Watch Resource nº8 and read resources nº9 and nº10. Which in your opinion are the most important challenges currently faced by museums in their endeavors for audience development? What role can digital technologies play in the attraction of new audiences?

Comment accordingly with a 200 word blog post or social media post. #audiencedevelopment #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

2. Museums and Social Inclusion Strategies

Watch Resource no.11 and read resource no.12 and resource no.13. Why in your opinion should museums invest in social inclusion strategies? Offer your comments in a tweet (254-character comment) and comment on two of your colleagues’ tweets. #inclusion #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy
Go back to the museum you chose in Module 2 (or select another museum from your country) and check its current activities relating to social inclusion practices. Which in your opinion are the most important initiatives of the museum in this respect and what other activities would you suggest to further enhance inclusion in the particular museum? Comment accordingly with a 200 word blog post or social media post. #inclusion2 #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

3. Inclusion of Marginalised Groups, Disabled Visitors and the Elderly in Museums

Read Resource nº 14 and check Case study nº5 and nº6 from the list. Which in your opinion are the advantages of these practices for the museum field and how similar initiatives can enhance the museum experience? What other activities would you suggest to these museums based on their vision and mission? Comment accordingly with a 200 word blog post or social media post. #inclusion3 #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy
Check Case study nº7 and nº8 from the list. Which in your opinion are the strongest initiatives of these museums with regard to the inclusion of the elderly and disabled visitors? What other initiatives would you suggest to these museums based on their vision and mission? Offer your comments in a tweet (254-character comment) and comment on two of your colleagues’ tweets. #inclusion4 #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

- Self-Assessment Exercise 1

Go to https://forms.gle/Bgm37P6vueaDCbUWA

unit_4: Evaluation of Museum Offerings

Abstract

This 4-hour unit focuses on the evaluation of museum offerings, with a special emphasis on the evaluation of exhibitions and online offerings. Through hands-on exercises and case studies from the European and International context, the unit aims to examine the role and importance of evaluating the offerings of museums, as well as the ethical considerations that should be taken into account during this process. The Unit also aims to familiarize students with key evaluation and data collection methods for both online and physical offerings and well as with current trends in this area.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of unit 4, learners will be able to:

Understand and elaborate on the importance of evaluating museum exhibitions and other offerings
Understand the basic data collection methods that can be used for evaluating museum offerings
Identify the ethical challenges that relate to the evaluation of museum exhibitions and online offerings
Elaborate on the particularities of evaluating online offerings

Activities

Study, Reflect, Comment & Share

1. Evaluation Methods for Museum Offerings

Read resources nº15 and nº16. Why do you think it is important for museums to evaluate their offerings and which are the ethical considerations that should be taken into account? Comment accordingly with a 200 word blog post or social media post #evaluationmethods #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

2. Evaluating Museum Exhibitions

Read resource nº 17 and watch resources nº18 and nº19. Which in your opinion are the most important metrics of success for museum exhibitions? Offer your comments in a tweet (254-character comment) and comment on two of your colleagues’ tweets. #evaluatingexhibitions #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

3. Evaluating Online Offerings

Read resource nº 20 and resource nº21. Go back to the museum you chose in Module 2 (or select another museum from your country) and check its website and social media presence. Which in your opinion are the strong points of the museum’s online presence and which are the things you would improve and how? Offer your suggestions in a 200 word blog post or social media post, developing and justifying your choices. #evaluatingonline #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

- Self-Assessment Exercise 1 - True or False

Go to https://forms.gle/7htpc95V9FQwWuUq5

- Self-Assessment Exercise 2 - True or False

Go to https://forms.gle/vYGtH94gP1a8RihH9

unit_5: Recap: Assets in Museums and Collections operation/management

Abstract

This final 4-hour brings together several central points of the MOOC module 3: Assets in Museums and Collections operation/management.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of unit 5, learners will be able to:

The history, political background and the present of museums in Europe
The basics of collection management
The basics of a museum exhibition developing process
Τhe concepts of audience development and social inclusion in the context of museums
The opportunities for the development of initiatives for the inclusion of marginalised groups in museums
The basic data collection methods that can be used for evaluating museum offerings
The ethical challenges that relate to the evaluation of museum exhibitions and online offerings

Activities

Study, Reflect, Comment & Share

0. Preparation:

Visit the available resources that bind together many of the points we explored in this MOOC and get ready to confront 4 self-assessment exercises:

Self-Assessment Exercise 1

Watch resource nº 07 and check Case Study 02. Revisit your #museumcollection tweets. Is there anything extra you are wishing to comment on?

Add it as comment to your original tweet #museumcollection #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

Self-Assessment Exercise 2

Read resource nº06 and revisit your #museumexhibition tweets #Pact4Skills from Unit2. Is there anything extra you are wishing to comment on?

Add it as comment to your original tweet #museumexhibition #Pact4Skills.If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

Self-Assessment Exercise 3

Watch resource nº 22 and revisit your tweet #inclusion #Pact4Skills from Unit 3. Is there anything extra you are wishing to comment on?

Add it as comment to your original tweet #inclusion #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

Self-Assessment Exercise 4

Watch resource nº23 and revisit your tweet #evaluatingexhibitions #Pact4Skills from Unit 4. Is there anything extra you are wishing to comment on?

Add it as comment to your original tweet #evaluatingexhibitions #Pact4Skills. If you prefer not to use miro, blog or social media, then email your comment to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy

Add this as a last phrase:
When you finish all exercises, send an email to g.papaioannou@ouc.ac.cy and write that you have finished Module 3.

Then move to Module 4!!!!