I can attempt to explain to you what is "very sad" about this - and will attempt not be precious about it all, speaking as a learning officer rather than a curator. However, I have to function in an art gallery where I have no dedicated learning space which makes it extremely difficult to offer the level of service I would like to the many different groups I am expected to cater for, including people who would not normally come to our venue. This space is used as a space for functions, catering, community art, learning events, schools, exhibitions and storage. It does none well, but is unfortunately all we have - although we are hoping to redevelop the whole gallery in the next few years. And when we do I will arguing vociferously to have a space purely for learning, as that is the only way that I will be able to have an area that is truly fit for purpose.
The point here is not an unwillingness to welcome people into our venues. Nor a failure to recognise the need for museum and gallery venues to be multi-functional and more commercially viable. As a local authority service I am more than aware of the need for us to expand our services, defend our funding and be answerable to our communities. The point is that in trying to cram all those functions into one space alongside learning we run the risk of not being able to provide any of them to a decent standard, potentially creating negative impressions of the services we provide. And that, as far as I can see, is what is sad about this situation.
Hoping that I have been sufficiently "real".
Fiona Mair
Lifelong Learning Officer
Aberdeen Art Gallery,
Schoolhill,
Aberdeen,
AB10 1FQ,
01224 523701.
>>> "Roberts, J.M." <[log in to unmask]> 11/04/2008 12:07 >>>
Am I the only one who thinks that museums get a bit precious about this sort of thing?
Can someone explain to me what is 'very sad' about attracting people (who would not normally come) into a museum where they may even notice there are collections? Writing as an ex-member of a local authority Arts, Libraries and Museums Committee, I was prepared to find any and every avenue for defending the service against those who think that Education (capital 'E') and Social Services are more important and should be financed from the Museum Service fund (I chaired a county's Social Services for 8 years).
Museums are a public service, provided by public money and that money has to be found from somewhere. If it persuades elected members of Councils that the museum is worth keeping open because not only is it a vital part of free local authority provision, but it also provides space for other functions AND helps to pay its own way, that, surely is a good thing.
Curators need to remember that museums are public buildings and not their personal fiefdoms.
Get real!
******************************
Jim Roberts Hon FMA
Webmaster
University of Leicester
Department of Museum Studies
http://www.le.ac.uk/museumstudies
+44 (0)116 252 3961
******************************
Check out my travel pix at http://jimroberts.phanfare.com/
________________________________
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard Ellam
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 10:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [GEM] Flexible Education Space for Corporate Functions and Weddings
If the children's artworks are mounted on the walls they should not be covered up when the space is used for 'corporate events and weddings' - this might help to remind the guests at these events of the real purpose of the building they are occupying - what you need is not movable furniture and fittings, but a rethink of the use of the space by the idiots in suits who have come up with this cockeyed scheme in the first place.
Richard Ellam
L M Interactive
3 Winterfield Road
Paulton
BRISTOL
BS39 7RF
tel/fax 01761 412 797
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
On 11 Apr 2008, at 09:27, jocelyn goddard wrote:
Am I the only one who finds this very sad? Is any other function of a museum expected to be able to turn itself back into a blank canvas? Exhibition space? Conservation lab? Offices?
Jocelyn Goddard
41 Linden Avenue
Whitstable
Kent CT5 1RX
07872 622102
----- Original Message ----
From: Carina Cameron <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, 10 April, 2008 5:19:03 PM
Subject: Flexible Education Space for Corporate Functions and Weddings
Hello
We are currently planning for a new learning centre which would be used to
deliver the museum services' education programme as well as being as place
for community and adult learning. Whilst hoping to provide a welcoming
and motivational learning space, the challenge is that the same space must
also cater for corporate functions and weddings.
Therefore, does anyone have experience of providing these very different
requirements in one space? If so, how do you manage this successfully in
terms of design and flexibility of space? Are there resources/ equipment
that you could recommend that has easy manoeuvrability and the ability to
change the look of a space from education to "blank canvas"?
Also, ideally, I would still like to provide display space on the walls to
support children's work, marketing, etc, does anyone have any suggestions
on ways these could be covered quickly, apart from curtains?
Many many thanks in advance.
Regards
Carina
Carina Cameron
Education Officer
Southampton Museums Service
Arts & Heritage
Tower House
Town Quay Road
Southampton
SO14 2NY
Tel No: 023 8091 5730
________________________________
Yahoo! for Good helps you make a difference<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mailuk/taglines/isp/control/*http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=51947/*http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/>
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment
to it) is confidential, protected by copyright and may be
privileged. The information contained in it should be used
for its intended purposes only. If you receive this e-mail in
error, notify the sender by reply e-mail, delete the received e-
mail and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we
take reasonable precautions to ensure that our emails are
free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses
transmitted with this e-mail and recommend that you subject
any incoming e-mail to your own virus checking procedures.
Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in
this e-mail are those of the sender and they do not
necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless
we expressly say otherwise in this e-mail or its attachments,
neither this e-mail nor its attachments create, form part of or
vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing e-mail is subject to regular
monitoring.
|
