Hello Rachel,
I spent two weeks in London museums last month. One of the distinguishing features were the gallery guide in museums large and small. They appeared to have a security role with their presence, but were knowledgeable about both the museum, gallery, and specific objects, with seemingly great interest and passion. Also notably, I encountered gallery guides of every ethnicity and accent. In addition to having multi-lingual advantages, it conveyed evidentially that the museum was a place where everyone was welcome, and whose collections were accessible to everyone. While security concerns are paramount, I also loved the idea of staff who protect the objects and can also consult on the collections. There seemed less of a hierarchical notion of roles within institutions there, which was noteworthy within such a traditionally hierarchical culture.
Karole Dill Barkley
Museum Studies student
Pratt Institute
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Karole Dill Barkley MPA
Brooklyn NY
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