Open Forum

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

There is none. If you want to take it literally, technically anything that belongs in a museum is 'museum quality'.

At my institution, potential donors like to use the phrase 'museum quality' to describe something they believe is in mint/perfect condition that they want us to purchase from them.

There's also the problem of commercial products being advertised as being 'museum quality' - frames, art supplies, etc - which further confuses the general public into using this nonsense term to describe the quality of something which ultimately has no basis whatsoever. 

------------------------------
Claire Aldenhuysen
Museum Education Specialist
National Model Aviation Museum, Academy of Model Aeronautics
Muncie IN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

I am amused when I read the term "museum quality."  I have no idea what it means and it seems to only be used outside the museum field. The term is invariably associated with what museums own, exhibit or are acquiring.  I have never read about "museum quality" office furniture, or "museum quality" guard uniforms, or "museum quality" stationary.  Sticking with the collections realm, given the stupendous variety of museums in the world, the term might describe anything a particular museum wants to own, exhibit or acquire.  Of cocurse, the term resonates with suggestions about definable notions of connoisseruship, curation, and, academic and aesthetic superiority.  A torn and tatterd American flag might be rejected by an art museum as not being of "museum quality" but if it is the one that flew over Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired our national antham, a history museum would consider it "museum quality."  A New York City history museum might reject Mondrian's painting, Broadway Boogie Woogie as not a realistic portrait of that famous New York City thoroughfare and thus consider it not "museum qualtiy" but the Museum of Modern Art would.  The last carrier pigeon, as preserved by a well-known artist, might be declined for acquisition by an art museum because it lacked "museum quality" but would be welcome in a natural history museum.

I look forward to other's comments,

Steve       

------------------------------
Steven Miller
Executive Director
Boscobel House and Gardens
Garrison NY

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

Hi Susan,

As others have noted, I too believe it's a meaningless term (much like "vintage"). I formerly worked in an automotive museum and most frequently encountered the term in auction catalogs, where I assumed it was a marketing term that was not based on any hard and fast criteria.

------------------------------
Marielle Smith MLS
Image Specialist
Hammer Museum
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

For geological collectors, "museum quality" means a rock, mineral or fossil specimen that is comparable to the best seen on display in a museum. When dealers sell them, they invariably come with an astronomical price tag. One will also see "museum size" which refers to a large specimen that is usually well over a foot (30 cm) across depending on the type of mineral or fossil.

Years ago when the first Mazda Miata came out, the local distributor wanted to display the car in the local science & history museum as a marketing ploy to indicate the car was so sleek and artistic it belonged in a museum. The director politely declined. There are some things that cross over the line.

------------------------------
Alan Goldstein
Interpretive Naturalist
Falls of The Ohio State Park Interpretive Center
Clarksville IN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2016 04:13 PM
From: Marielle Smith
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hi Susan,

As others have noted, I too believe it's a meaningless term (much like "vintage"). I formerly worked in an automotive museum and most frequently encountered the term in auction catalogs, where I assumed it was a marketing term that was not based on any hard and fast criteria.

------------------------------
Marielle Smith MLS
Image Specialist
Hammer Museum
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

Perhaps the Mazda dealer was inspired by the fact that MoMA displayed and still has in its Architecture & Design collection the tail lights from the original Miata.   http://www.moma.org/collection/works/91740   They are "Museum Quality" in part because of their aesthetic form but also because they represent a dramatic change in the auto industry at that time away from a decade or so of safety conscious, malaise-era boxy design.

------------------------------
John Turner
Archivist, Florida Park Service
Tallahassee FL

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2016 09:15 AM
From: Alan Goldstein
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

For geological collectors, "museum quality" means a rock, mineral or fossil specimen that is comparable to the best seen on display in a museum. When dealers sell them, they invariably come with an astronomical price tag. One will also see "museum size" which refers to a large specimen that is usually well over a foot (30 cm) across depending on the type of mineral or fossil.

Years ago when the first Mazda Miata came out, the local distributor wanted to display the car in the local science & history museum as a marketing ploy to indicate the car was so sleek and artistic it belonged in a museum. The director politely declined. There are some things that cross over the line.

------------------------------
Alan Goldstein
Interpretive Naturalist
Falls of The Ohio State Park Interpretive Center
Clarksville IN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2016 04:13 PM
From: Marielle Smith
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hi Susan,

As others have noted, I too believe it's a meaningless term (much like "vintage"). I formerly worked in an automotive museum and most frequently encountered the term in auction catalogs, where I assumed it was a marketing term that was not based on any hard and fast criteria.

------------------------------
Marielle Smith MLS
Image Specialist
Hammer Museum
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

It's true there may not be a definitive definition but I believe almost everyone usually and instantly thinks, when hearing the phrase, it is in reference to a standard that may be considered higher or more precise than a norm or usual condition or quality, with uniqueness, rarity, and at times "awesome". When quality is used in conjunction with "museum" it also many times infers and places an item into the quality level of what a museum should be desiring in the fulfillment of their mission statement. The attempt by a museum to collect, preserve, and exhibit the best obtainable specimen, item, equipment, etc., as examples for an educational program is in most instances the professional criteria for interesting and attractive exhibits. Even though a simple definition may be "lost" everyone can surely create their own explanation to interact with anyone asking what does it mean?

Vintage, as I'm sure everyone knows, is used quite often as something from a previous time, period, or era with no specified dates. And, it is often used as a marketing keyword. But, because it usually means something in the past isn't it very easily acceptable in that manner? It should be. The same applies to something of current vintage, which is today.

Both of these, MUSEUM QUALITY and VINTAGE, make good conversation openers and gives museum personnel the opportunity to convey their expertise involved in an explanation.

Al Frank
Museum Consultant
____________________________________________________________
1 Fruit That "Destroys" Diabetes
Life Advice Daily
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Original Message------

Perhaps the Mazda dealer was inspired by the fact that MoMA displayed and still has in its Architecture & Design collection the tail lights from the original Miata.   http://www.moma.org/collection/works/91740   They are "Museum Quality" in part because of their aesthetic form but also because they represent a dramatic change in the auto industry at that time away from a decade or so of safety conscious, malaise-era boxy design.

------------------------------
John Turner
Archivist, Florida Park Service
Tallahassee FL
------------------------------

Original Message------

For geological collectors, "museum quality" means a rock, mineral or fossil specimen that is comparable to the best seen on display in a museum. When dealers sell them, they invariably come with an astronomical price tag. One will also see "museum size" which refers to a large specimen that is usually well over a foot (30 cm) across depending on the type of mineral or fossil.

Years ago when the first Mazda Miata came out, the local distributor wanted to display the car in the local science & history museum as a marketing ploy to indicate the car was so sleek and artistic it belonged in a museum. The director politely declined. There are some things that cross over the line.

------------------------------
Alan Goldstein
Interpretive Naturalist
Falls of The Ohio State Park Interpretive Center
Clarksville IN
------------------------------

I am also unaware of a formal definition but I will say that I have heard the term used in a professional setting as a sign of acknowledgment that there are standards somewhat unique to our field that come with collections being on public display; conservator considerations about UV exposure and humidity, how artifacts are physically mounted, label copy, custom building the cases, etc. Form and function are both critical.

A recent example where I heard it used was by a USDA soil scientist we are working with to document changes that we expect to see on our site related to a complete overhaul of our landscaping. He used the term to distinguish between a soil core that he typically prepares for educational purposes as opposed to a "museum quality" soil monolith that is meant to be on long-term display. I am fortunate that we have a wealth of expertise within our Exhibitions department that I can turn to.

------------------------------
Carter O'Brien, LEED AP O+M

Sustainability Manager
Science & Education
Field Museum of Natural History
312-665-7811

Learn about The Field Museum's green building initiatives here:

https://www.fieldmuseum.org/science/conservation/greener-field

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2016 04:13 PM
From: Marielle Smith
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hi Susan,

As others have noted, I too believe it's a meaningless term (much like "vintage"). I formerly worked in an automotive museum and most frequently encountered the term in auction catalogs, where I assumed it was a marketing term that was not based on any hard and fast criteria.

------------------------------
Marielle Smith MLS
Image Specialist
Hammer Museum
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

Greetings,

Like the other people who responded, I believe 'museum quality,' when referring to artefacts, is meaningless, and regularly represents some marketing people's unimaginative attempt to impress purchasers. Generally, I think we simply can turn our backs on this use.

There's another problem though, related to the kinds of products we use, when a vendor says something is 'museum quality' when in fact it harms the artefacts, such as acidic matting for pictures and prints; or when a vendor of an artwork or artefact includes some sort of framing, exhibit device, or whatever, claiming that it is museum quality when it off-gases or otherwise causes destruction or when it does not provide some appropriate level of protection against environmental threats, such as UV.

Cheers,

Carl 

------------------------------
Carl Benn PhD
Professor
Ryerson University
Toronto ON

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

The idea of "museum quality" was not one that I could escape easily when teaching for many years at the Cooperstown Graduate Program. The students wanted to know what the term meant, and at the time (not all that recently) there was a discussion on the subject in a recent publication. Then, as now, commercial firms decided that items were the "ne plus ultra" of their type might be called, "museum quality". The implication is that museums offer the world an education of the finest that history, art, natural history, and so forth have to offer.

One widely used (at one time) method for judging artifacts, Thomas Schlereth’s model of artifact study, could serve as a basis for applying the "museum quality” characteristics. The background and principles of the model can be obtained in detail in his book, Material Culture Studies in America, published in 1982 by AASLH. The book is a bit ponderous, to put it mildly, but at least it was put together in a scholarly way, and may answer a few questions for those who wish to pursue them.

Those of us in history or art museums  -- with which I am most familiar -- may come up with our own definitions of "museum quality" when we develop studies and evaluations of our own collections, with a view toward creating collections plans. I think that many of us pursue the spirit of the term in our work, while avoiding those two words, which have largely been robbed of a reasonable definition.

------------------------------
Bruce MacLeish
Curator Emeritus
Newport Restoration Foundation
Newport RI

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2016 10:08 AM
From: Carl Benn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Greetings,

Like the other people who responded, I believe 'museum quality,' when referring to artefacts, is meaningless, and regularly represents some marketing people's unimaginative attempt to impress purchasers. Generally, I think we simply can turn our backs on this use.

There's another problem though, related to the kinds of products we use, when a vendor says something is 'museum quality' when in fact it harms the artefacts, such as acidic matting for pictures and prints; or when a vendor of an artwork or artefact includes some sort of framing, exhibit device, or whatever, claiming that it is museum quality when it off-gases or otherwise causes destruction or when it does not provide some appropriate level of protection against environmental threats, such as UV.

Cheers,

Carl 

------------------------------
Carl Benn PhD
Professor
Ryerson University
Toronto ON

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

As an Exhibit Technician, my interpretation of "Museum Quality" reflects anything that serves functionally to:

1) Protect the Object on display or in storage from hazard.

2) Display and interpret the proper story of the object.

These 2 basic principles extend through all facets of the museum industry, starting with the safe object handling practices of the staff, practices of engineers, architects, and contractors, and commonly used to describe the quality of materials and tools used to build object mounts, display cases, storage cases, lighting, and HVAC systems.

An example of a "museum quality" material would be brass, MDF,  or cleaned glass. These materials do not typically "off gas" or oxidize, increasing likelyhood of damaging an artifact in the case. 

------------------------------
Jeffrey Thole
Museum Exhibits Technician
Douglas AK

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

Ha! Mostly I've only used or heard this term used jocularly, as in:

Me: "I couldn't get this exhibit label to keep from tipping over, so I secured it to the back of the case with a system of fishing line, thumb tacks, and chewed gum."

Boss: "Dang, that is museum quality work!"

Mikala

------------------------------
Mikala Woodward
Exhibit Developer
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
Seattle WA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

Coming from a commercial exhibit design/build background, I think of "museum quality" as a definition of how well exhibits (and museums) are designed and built. Criteria (in no particular order) include high grade materials and finishes, casework meets applicable conservation and security standards, built for 10 plus year lifespan, beautiful cabinetry, durable and meaningful media and interactives, reasonably easy to service, safe, provides a unique experience, accurate depictions in murals and sculptures, engaging and accurate interpretive writing, well designed graphics that meet the unique characteristics of museum panels. It's interesting to see responses to this question which are much different than my immediate reaction.   

Lisa

------------------------------
Lisa Friedlander
Project Specialist
Minnesota Historical Society
Saint Paul MN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-24-2016 06:29 PM
From: Mikala Woodward
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Ha! Mostly I've only used or heard this term used jocularly, as in:

Me: "I couldn't get this exhibit label to keep from tipping over, so I secured it to the back of the case with a system of fishing line, thumb tacks, and chewed gum."

Boss: "Dang, that is museum quality work!"

Mikala

------------------------------
Mikala Woodward
Exhibit Developer
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
Seattle WA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

I am "guilty" of using the term "Museum grade" as a vendor that provides storage solutions (mobile shelving for Artifacts, Archives, Framed Art and steel cabinets that help protect vital collection pieces).  My intent in using the term "museum grade" is to note that we are manufacturing or using different materials for museum projects where we are storing more delicate items.   I would love to hear from the museum population regarding a more appropriate way to describe some of the different ways we manufacture goods to ensure we are protecting your collections.  Thanks in advance for your consideration in helping me to better serve you in the future!

------------------------------
Tim McGowan
Sales
Minneapolis MN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------

------------------------------
Michele Phillips
Paper Conservator

Original Message:
Sent: 10-25-2016 01:21 PM
From: Tim McGowan
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

I am "guilty" of using the term "Museum grade" as a vendor that provides storage solutions (mobile shelving for Artifacts, Archives, Framed Art and steel cabinets that help protect vital collection pieces).  My intent in using the term "museum grade" is to note that we are manufacturing or using different materials for museum projects where we are storing more delicate items.   I would love to hear from the museum population regarding a more appropriate way to describe some of the different ways we manufacture goods to ensure we are protecting your collections.  Thanks in advance for your consideration in helping me to better serve you in the future!

------------------------------
Tim McGowan
Sales
Minneapolis MN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2016 12:24 PM
From: Susan Sanborn
Subject: Definition of "museum quality"

Hello,

I am looking for the definition of the term  "Museum Quality".

Thank you,

Susan Sanborn

------------------------------
Susan Sanborn
Curator
Toyota USA Automobile Museum
Torrance CA
------------------------------