MIM Building the Collection

B u ild in g B u ild in g t h e t h e

C o lle c t io nC o lle c t io n

Permanent Collection VisionPermanent Collection Vision

Geo-galleries: every country in the worldGeo-galleries: every country in the world Exhibits: multiple exhibit componentsExhibits: multiple exhibit components Instruments are single component of exhibitsInstruments are single component of exhibits

Permanent CollectionsPermanent Collections

Scope: Rethinking the collectionScope: Rethinking the collection– Traditional acquisition guidelinesTraditional acquisition guidelines– Adding new diversity & breadthAdding new diversity & breadth

Acquisition ProcessAcquisition Process

Wish list for “virtual” exhibitsWish list for “virtual” exhibits Curators, consultants, and sub-consultantsCurators, consultants, and sub-consultants

– Travel and foreign colleaguesTravel and foreign colleagues

Other resourcesOther resources– Networking with embassies, museums, scholarsNetworking with embassies, museums, scholars

SourcesSources– Large existing collectionsLarge existing collections– Collectors, dealers, auctionsCollectors, dealers, auctions– Makers, MusiciansMakers, Musicians

The Unknown and the KnownThe Unknown and the Known

No provenanceNo provenance– Selmer saxophone, Vichy auction (France, 1950s)Selmer saxophone, Vichy auction (France, 1950s)

Limited provenanceLimited provenance– Gérard Copperé Collection, France, c. 1970-2000Gérard Copperé Collection, France, c. 1970-2000– Fiske Collection, Claremont College, 20Fiske Collection, Claremont College, 20thth c. c.

In the fieldIn the field– Zampogna, Italy, 2009Zampogna, Italy, 2009– Scissors dance, Peru, 2009Scissors dance, Peru, 2009

ChallengesChallenges

Global scopeGlobal scope– Access to remote, restricted, and unsafe areasAccess to remote, restricted, and unsafe areas– Availability vs. wish listAvailability vs. wish list– Cultural sensitivity and permissionsCultural sensitivity and permissions

Exhibit-minded acquisitionsExhibit-minded acquisitions– EnsemblesEnsembles– RedundancyRedundancy– Relationship to narrative and other componentsRelationship to narrative and other components

Resources: facility, research tools, TMS, timeResources: facility, research tools, TMS, time

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

ScopeScope– Change is goodChange is good

ProcedureProcedure– More research up frontMore research up front– Manage consultants entirelyManage consultants entirely– Network early and oftenNetwork early and often– Large collections are a mixed blessingLarge collections are a mixed blessing– No replacement for field workNo replacement for field work

TimeTime

Next StepsNext Steps

Phase 2 wish listPhase 2 wish list– Filling gaps in the collectionsFilling gaps in the collections– Replacing place-holdersReplacing place-holders

Research and record clean-upResearch and record clean-up Devising classification systemDevising classification system Reviewing relationship to exhibit narrativesReviewing relationship to exhibit narratives