1. MUSE E100 INTRODUCTION TO MUSEUM STUDIES Fall 2016 August 29, 2016

2. Tonight’s Agenda Introduction to the course Website Expectations Introduction to Museum Studies at Harvard Introduction to Museums in general Small group work Discussion on lecture and readings

3. Introduction to the Course Faculty and TAs Website Assignments Other expectations

4. Introduction to the Museum Studies at Harvard Required courses Degree course search Admissions requirements And a special perk: NEMA membership https://app.etapestry.com/cart/NewEnglandMuseumAssociation/def ault/category.php?ref=313.0.215625811 https://app.etapestry.com/cart/NewEnglandMuseumAssociation/def ault/category.php?ref=313.0.215625811 Code is APM16

5. Introduction to Museums in general What is a Museum? Definition from International Council of Museums (ICOM) (icom.museum): The definition of a museum has evolved, in line with developments in society. Since its creation in 1946, ICOM updates this definition in accordance with the realities of the global museum community. According to the ICOM Statutes, adopted by the 22nd General Assembly in Vienna, Austria on August 24th, 2007: A museum is a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment. This definition is a reference in the international community.

6. Introduction to Museums in general What is a Museum? Definition from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM ) (www.aam-us.org):www.aam-us.org Museums make their unique contribution to the public by collecting, preserving and interpreting the things of this world. Historically, they have owned and used natural objects, living and nonliving, and all manner of human artifacts to advance knowledge and nourish the human spirit. Today, the range of their special interests reflects the scope of human vision. Their missions include collecting and preserving, as well as exhibiting and educating with materials not only owned but also borrowed and fabricated for these ends. Their numbers include both governmental and private museums of anthropology, art history and natural history, aquariums, arboreta, art centers, botanical gardens, children's museums, historic sites, nature centers, planetariums, science and technology centers, and zoos. The museum universe in the United States includes both collecting and non-collecting institutions. Although diverse in their missions, they have in common their nonprofit form of organization and a commitment of service to the public. Their collections and/or the objects they borrow or fabricate are the basis for research, exhibits, and programs that invite public participation.

7. More From AAM About Museums: http://www.aam-us.org/about-museumshttp://www.aam-us.org/about-museums Museum Facts (AAM): http://www.aam-us.org/about- museums/museum-factshttp://www.aam-us.org/about- museums/museum-facts AAM Trendswatch: http://www.aam- us.org/resources/center-for-the-future-of- museums/projects-and-reports/trendswatchhttp://www.aam- us.org/resources/center-for-the-future-of- museums/projects-and-reports/trendswatch

8. Others Chime in on What Museums Are/Do/Mean to Them: What is a Museum? With Emily Graslie Emily Graslie is employed by the Field Museum as its first-ever Chief Curiosity Correspondent. She also has a YouTube channel called Brain Scoop.

9. Questions about what qualifies as a museum. If a museum is a non-profit, permanent institution (that may have collections)…: Does having a presence online mean that an entity is a museums? Examples: Museum of Political Corruption Popup Museum of Ice Cream Museum of Broken Relationships American Poetry Museum

10. Role of Museums in Society Cultural agency Community center – “new town square” Place of learning

11. Small Group Exercise In small groups in class, discuss how a museum is like and not like one of these… Cemetery Shopping mall Library Public park or garden Those of you online... Talk about a health club in the chat room Those of you watching during the week... Talk about a concert on the discussion board

12. Discussion of Readings and Lecture Anderson’s “A Framework: Reinventing the Museum” A fundamental shift in ideology and practice is essential for museums to remain relevant and integral in a 21 st century world. Which of the changes that she talks about are most exciting to you? Which seem the most difficult or challenging?

13. Discussion of Readings and Lecture AAM TrendsWatch You were asked to read about two of the trends in the annual reports from 2012 to 2016. Same questions… Which of these trends are most exciting to you? Which do you find most challenging or potentially inappropriate?