Essay Museum Sterotypes

Museums serve as a way to connect with the public on a large scale, and the knowledge held within exhibits can be a fruitful experience for those who choose to visit these institutions. Experiencing all that a museum has to offer, no matter how well intentioned, can at times be confusing and overwhelming to the individuals visiting the site. The Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian dedicates itself to Native Americans in North and South America, and worked tirelessly with varying tribes to create a new standard. Some visitors and scholars found their work to be successful in design and approach while others found it to be lacking in execution. This institution does not approach Native American history in a familiar fashion; however it does cover an expansive period of time, and produces a great amount of detail while generating powerful emotions.

Another aspect that I found to be very interesting was the way in which each of the museums offered different multimedia formats to facilitate the visitor’s experience with the artwork in display. I noticed that both museums offered applications for smartphones and tablets, free of charge, to assist the visitors with getting the most possible out of the museum. Visiting a museum can be a very distracting task because there is so much to see and without a plan or a navigating system that helps you make your way towards the museum, it can be hard to gain something from your visit. Both apps are accessible to most people and very easy to navigate through. These apps included audio guides, exhibition information, calendars, events and so on. However, I noticed

I hope to see museums make more concerted efforts to educate the public. Too many exhibits are of the “passive, didactic looking” than like the engaging Object Stories program (Dartt, Murawski). Exhibits should seek to tell untold narratives, and programs should be places of communication and cross-cultural encounters. For too long, difficult confrontations have been avoided, both inside the museum, and by dominant communities

In the Robyn Autry article, it mainly focuses on the national conflict of museums mainly focusing towards African American. The author travel to 15 museums around the United States that focuses towards African American. She mainly talks about how the African American were facing numerous hardships in the U.S and how the museum represents those issues to the general public. She believes the way to tell the hardship of African Americans is by exhibiting through a museum. When traveling through these museums she focused towards “centered on three traumatic episodes: capture and displacement from Africa, enslavement, and racial segregation” (Autry 64). The author of the articles wants to show that over time that museums meanings has changed over

In Steven Lubar’s book, Inside the Lost Museum: Curating, Past and Present, the recurring idea that museums are “more than the sum of their parts” plays a critical role in the overall argument (329). Lubar notes many aspects that make up a museum, the collection, for example is an essential part of any museum, but the community, as well as the experiences of the patrons create a lasting museum experience. Additionally, Lubar aptly utilizes real-world examples, contemporary and historical, highlighting the work of individuals in museums and establishing a connection between past and current events. Central to this narrative is the example of the lost Jenks Museum. Lubar uses this museum to argue that museums of the past can educate museum goers

When people think about a museum most of them think about walking around starring at paintings they don’t understand and reading the little cards with their description. After a while they get tired of walking around long hallways and finally decide to leave. On the other hand, the Gallery One at the Cleveland Museum of Arts is more than just a museum, it’s a fun and innovative environment that how Alexander explained, “… the intention of Gallery One was to transform visitors into participants, rather than passive observers.” (2014). When people get their hands on the action they are most likely to have fun, learn, and build experience.

The archival process will not only personalize this project, but will also help in documenting the experiences of the community. The various items will be archived at In The Meantime. In The Meantime has an extensive collection of works by Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual fine artists, photographers, writers, and musicians. In addition, the collected memorabilia will be exhibited to allow a larger audience to discover the stories and experiences and see a visual record of Black gay men’s lives. Spaces where the stories and memorabilia will be exhibited include: the Black LGBT Project at The Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum, the ONE Archives, The Galleries at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, the California African-American History Museum, the West Hollywood Library Branch (of the Los Angeles County Library System), and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black

Recalling my inability to understand art, you can just imagine how much fun I had in the museum. When I walked into the little area I was immediately stopped by a collection of commemorative plates, each with names of famous civil rights activists on them. The plates looked very elegant, but I couldn’t figure out why the artist would want to create them. “Irony”, I thought, “it must be ironic somehow. Artists love irony – but how is this ironic?” Maybe because the names were in black on white plates? Maybe because they didn’t lead extravagant lifestyles but yet were commemorated on extravagant plates? Or maybe that their names, and all that they have stood for, have been reduced to a cheap souvenir-like object, that may or may not be available at the gift shop. I decided to shake off all the thoughts that were running through my head when I saw a giant sign that described the purpose of the exhibit, and what Brown v Board meant. Beneath it I found a pamphlet describing each work. “Spectacular”, I thought. “Now this is my kind of art museum – one with answers”.

The modern queer community exists with fine lines of privilege and distinctions of status. Factors that determine power and influence in mainstream society are perpetuated within the LGBTQ community and serve as indicators of division. Throughout my life, I have experienced privilege and I understand that as a white, gay man, I hold disproportionate influence. I understand that the factors of race and sexuality have held a considerable impact on my life and my experiences as a member of both the white and LGBTQ communities. Though I understand my racial advantage as a gay person, I do not feel shameful; instead, I feel a responsibility to further the condition of intersectional equality.

For my pilgrimage, I chose to go to the Burke Museum to see the piece of art that inspired the Seahawks’ logo. On our way to the museum, we encountered some challenges. For instance, my pilgrimage group almost got in a car accident while exiting I-5. Additionally, it was very difficult to get to the Burke Museum on time, because we had underestimated the amount of traffic and the amount of time it would take to find parking. It is ridiculous how parking around the Burke Museum costs $15 and entering the Burke Museum, as a student, costs $7.50. I was disappointed at the total cost of entering the Burke Museum. Often, museums are the best place to learn and it frustrates me that not everyone will have the opportunity to appreciate history. Through the increased cost of gaining knowledge, society has made learning selective and optional.

In her speech “How art gives shape to cultural change” (2009) Thelma Gordon, a curator of art for Studio Museum in Harlem and the Whitney Museum, provides insight into how curators, art, artist and museums are catalyst for culture and change. Her speech guides viewer through her exhibitions and events in history that resulted in the rewriting of history and personal growth. She studied art and artist at a time when museums included fewer people of color and is an advocate for cross-culture dialogues, creativity, innovation, and defining culture through exhibitions. She believes in using art and the museums to change the way people think about themselves and culture and realizes the effect art has on people internationally and in a community.

The experience of viewing artwork has advanced considerably throughout the eras; from private collections that were strictly limited to viewing by wealthy and privileged individuals, to the rise of public art institutions during the 19th century. Presently, Google has created innovative technology that has made navigating through art institutions easily accessible to anyone with Internet; within a few clicks of a button, the viewer can explore any art institution worldwide without leaving the comfort of their home. I utilized Google Cultural Institute to visit The Strong National Museum of Play located in Rochester, United States. I chose to explore The Strong National Museum of Play because I was intrigued by its collection of interactive

There are opportunities though, and they are good opportunities. I was able to identify three that they should pay attention to and really hit hard on. In today’s economy, people aren’t wanting to spend a lot of money. The recession is making people be a lot more conscious about money. Good news, the museum is free. If marketed properly, this could be a huge way to gain new visitors. Plus, art museums have sophisticated connotations that make people feel smart when they go to them. What better way to spend the day than to go somewhere that is free and feel sophisticated? Another opportunity is that new exhibits could attract younger demographics, pending on the exhibit. This could be tricky though because they want to attract everyone, but older crowds are interested in things that younger generations aren’t. They have to be able to balance the attractions so everyone can relate to it and want to view it.

The art museum is a place that collects and preserves very valuable and profound pieces of art created by some of the most influential artists of all time. Not everyone can understand the emotions and profound ideas that are expressed in old works of art. Only a fraction of all people can really appreciate a fine work of art and understand its true meaning. Many people that go to the art museum do not belong. They do not hold the higher level of education needed to look at a painting and see its full potential. I do not think the people of art museums should put in the effort to democratize these institutions mainly because you cannot train people to enjoy art, because education of art is not valued, and because the elitism of the art

According to the American Alliance of Museums, community engagement in museums includes the use of this facility as “a center where people gather to meet and converse and an active, visible player in civic life, a safe haven, and a trusted incubator of change” (Long 141). Different museums