MS300 A.Randolph-Who decides what and how an item is displayed in a museum

Museums have a unique atmosphere. Their facades are large and imposing, giving off an immediate impression of grandeur. Their interiors often opening into impressive, bright, areas that echo the smallest murmurs from patrons. With the exception of a few, the general air of the place states one keeps their hands to themselves and politely appreciate what has been displayed for their viewing pleasure. But who has decided what that was going to be? And who they thought they were trying to target by this particular arrangement and assemblage of artifacts or works. The type of museum one visits dictates what they will be viewing as well as the context in which works are presented. In this case Art museums are the main focus, which carries its own set of highly traditional and nonsensical rules of what can be included within its highly prosperous walls. In short, the Curator is responsible for deciding what is displayed and how it is presented to the public. Curator’s in most large museums will have a Master’s degree in a related field. Larger museums employee multiple curators that specialize in a specific area. They have many responsibilities in the scope of their job title of very high importance. Along with being responsible for deciding what is going to be shown at any given time, depending on several factors they must keep in mind including but not limited to; the care, presentation, interpretation, acquisition, deaccessions, available budget, documentation, and research needed to present something that will interest the masses. They must also adhere to the museum’s mission statement, come up with and design exhibits that showcase works in the collection as well as visiting works or installations, design the tours through the museum, etc. All that while trying to make sure they are doing things that maintain the interest of as much of the public as possible. Seems like quite a lot for any one person’s responsibilities with their inherent bias and prejudice. Not taking into account the deeply seated traditions of the art world as a whole which has proven a hugely influential force in dictating what is allowed to be considered fine art. The curator is also responsible for the museums permanent collection of works as well as finding, researching, and recommending for purchase new works from current artists to add to the collection. As part of the research in finding new works, curators will attend many gallery openings, art auctions, and Universities in search of new pieces that fit within the museums existing collection. In 2007 Professional Practices for Art Museum Curators was adopted by the Association of Art Museum Curators which places a list of general guidelines for curator’s best practices. This very extensive list of standards and guidelines outlines a curators relationships and responsibilities to the museum and its collection. A curator must think first of how what they are doing is going to reflect on the museum and the public’s opinion of the museum. Among these standards and guidelines there is a section dedicated to the sharing of information and works within the museum departments as well as with researchers, educators, etc. However, what seems to be missing, and I have not read it all, is the standards for sharing with other museums. It seems that we should have the technology to safely move the things, why shouldn’t the things be shared in order to expose as much of the people of the world as possible? “Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers : Occupational Outlook Handbook,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, October 4, 2022), http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/curators-museum-technicians-and-conservators.htm#:~:text=Curators%20oversee%20collections%20of%20artwork,in%20museum%20collections%20and%20exhibits Association, College Art. “Standards & Guidelines " CAA Guidelines.” CAA Guidelines | Standards & Guidelines | CAA. Accessed March 1, 2023. https://www.collegeart.org/standards-and-guidelines/guidelines.