Open Forum

Forgive my lengthy explanation and request. The Education Department, curators, and conservators at my museum, the J Paul Getty Villa, are discussing a program to allow visitors to look closely at and in some cases touch genuine (deaccessioned) Greek and Roman antiquities - relatively small fragments of glass, stone, and terracotta that will otherwise always live in a drawer. 

We already have an active program of Handling Sessions of replicas in different media, presented with relevant materials and types of tools (modern, or replicas) used to make the ancient objects. Now we are thinking through the rationale for adding to the program in this way, especially since we do not want to encourage inappropriate touching. Archaeologists on staff (I am among them) don't want artifacts and ancient art to be of interest in a way that supports inappropriate collecting, and conservators are concerned about one touch leading to another in the galleries. On the other hand, this program could inspire serious interest in and respect for the objects.

I am hoping some of you will share your experiences with allowing the public to touch, or describe why you decided not to. Resources and protocols also much appreciated!

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Shelby Brown
Education Specialist
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles CA
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Hey there Shelby,

I had a very similar experience when working at children's museum a few years back. When digging through a storage closet, I came across a plastic tub labeled "archaeology" filled with midden material. No explanation, no context.

We ultimately decided to use the materials in educational programs, where we had our students organize the materials (mostly bone, but some pottery sherds) and develop theories about their origins. Which led to one of the more important lessons we incorporated into the program: only a trained archeologist should excavate or remove artifacts from a site. Since we did not know where the midden materials came from, we cannot properly contextualize what we learned.

Long story short, I think hands-on opportunities can be of extraordinary educational value, and offer a great way to connect patrons to the content. Just take care to include the important instructions, such as proper handling and conservation practices, which it sounds like you intend to do. If you are concerned about touching in the gallery, you can have program participants wear gloves, and emphasize some of the concerns regarding oils, moisture and other contaminants on hands.

Ultimately though, I think that in giving new purpose to un-accessioned items you validate the expenses associated with their storage and keeping, while offering a much requested (and educational) opportunity to your visitors. Win, win, win.

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Cory Mills
Exhibits Coordinator
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Boca Raton FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2017 12:25 PM
From: Shelby Brown
Subject: Genuine artifacts as museum "touchables"

Forgive my lengthy explanation and request. The Education Department, curators, and conservators at my museum, the J Paul Getty Villa, are discussing a program to allow visitors to look closely at and in some cases touch genuine (deaccessioned) Greek and Roman antiquities - relatively small fragments of glass, stone, and terracotta that will otherwise always live in a drawer. 

We already have an active program of Handling Sessions of replicas in different media, presented with relevant materials and types of tools (modern, or replicas) used to make the ancient objects. Now we are thinking through the rationale for adding to the program in this way, especially since we do not want to encourage inappropriate touching. Archaeologists on staff (I am among them) don't want artifacts and ancient art to be of interest in a way that supports inappropriate collecting, and conservators are concerned about one touch leading to another in the galleries. On the other hand, this program could inspire serious interest in and respect for the objects.

I am hoping some of you will share your experiences with allowing the public to touch, or describe why you decided not to. Resources and protocols also much appreciated!

------------------------------
Shelby Brown
Education Specialist
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Bonus for increasing accessibility for disabled folks:

It is extremely useful for people who are visually impaired, especially if they were once able to see normally. Their skin can see for them and they have a more real sense of what the object is if they can feel the real material as opposed to a replication produced form another substance.

------------------------------
Cheryl Maslin
Collections Manager & Registra
California Historical Society
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2017 12:25 PM
From: Shelby Brown
Subject: Genuine artifacts as museum "touchables"

Forgive my lengthy explanation and request. The Education Department, curators, and conservators at my museum, the J Paul Getty Villa, are discussing a program to allow visitors to look closely at and in some cases touch genuine (deaccessioned) Greek and Roman antiquities - relatively small fragments of glass, stone, and terracotta that will otherwise always live in a drawer. 

We already have an active program of Handling Sessions of replicas in different media, presented with relevant materials and types of tools (modern, or replicas) used to make the ancient objects. Now we are thinking through the rationale for adding to the program in this way, especially since we do not want to encourage inappropriate touching. Archaeologists on staff (I am among them) don't want artifacts and ancient art to be of interest in a way that supports inappropriate collecting, and conservators are concerned about one touch leading to another in the galleries. On the other hand, this program could inspire serious interest in and respect for the objects.

I am hoping some of you will share your experiences with allowing the public to touch, or describe why you decided not to. Resources and protocols also much appreciated!

------------------------------
Shelby Brown
Education Specialist
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

If they're placed into proper context, I'm a big fan of touchable specimens in museums.  Many of us with experience in museums with paleontology collections have used touchable genuine fossils in our interactions with visitors with much success.  If presented thoughtfully, these items can provide inspiring "teachable moments" to visitors.  Even adults are often thrilled to hold a real dinosaur bone (or a piece of one) in their hands and contemplate the fact that they now hold remains of a creature that walked the earth some 80 million years ago.  

Visitors can learn the specific reasons why the sample they are handling was chosen for use in this way, and why such use is not appropriate for the rest of the collection.  Presenting touchable cast replicas along with the genuine fossils creates an opportunity to explain how casts can minimize risk to the fossils, both in touchable and "behind the glass" exhibits.  With this better understanding of the significant efforts taken by the museum to simultaneously meet our conservation obligations and provide engaging/informative experiences for them, visitors can walk away with an increased perceived value of the museum.  Hopefully, this leads to continued or increased support.  And we all like that!  

      Michael

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Michael Holland
Principal/Owner
Michael Holland Productions
Bozeman MT
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2017 12:13 PM
From: Cheryl Maslin
Subject: Genuine artifacts as museum "touchables"

Bonus for increasing accessibility for disabled folks:

It is extremely useful for people who are visually impaired, especially if they were once able to see normally. Their skin can see for them and they have a more real sense of what the object is if they can feel the real material as opposed to a replication produced form another substance.

------------------------------
Cheryl Maslin
Collections Manager & Registra
California Historical Society
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2017 12:25 PM
From: Shelby Brown
Subject: Genuine artifacts as museum "touchables"

Forgive my lengthy explanation and request. The Education Department, curators, and conservators at my museum, the J Paul Getty Villa, are discussing a program to allow visitors to look closely at and in some cases touch genuine (deaccessioned) Greek and Roman antiquities - relatively small fragments of glass, stone, and terracotta that will otherwise always live in a drawer. 

We already have an active program of Handling Sessions of replicas in different media, presented with relevant materials and types of tools (modern, or replicas) used to make the ancient objects. Now we are thinking through the rationale for adding to the program in this way, especially since we do not want to encourage inappropriate touching. Archaeologists on staff (I am among them) don't want artifacts and ancient art to be of interest in a way that supports inappropriate collecting, and conservators are concerned about one touch leading to another in the galleries. On the other hand, this program could inspire serious interest in and respect for the objects.

I am hoping some of you will share your experiences with allowing the public to touch, or describe why you decided not to. Resources and protocols also much appreciated!

------------------------------
Shelby Brown
Education Specialist
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

We have similar programs and have just been through a similar process here at the Portland Art Museum, OR. Sarah Lampen, our Docent and Access Programs Manager, can provide solid advice. She can be reached at sarah.lampen@pam.org.

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Kristin Bayans
Interpretive Media Specialist
Portland Art Museum
Portland OR
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2017 12:25 PM
From: Shelby Brown
Subject: Genuine artifacts as museum "touchables"

Forgive my lengthy explanation and request. The Education Department, curators, and conservators at my museum, the J Paul Getty Villa, are discussing a program to allow visitors to look closely at and in some cases touch genuine (deaccessioned) Greek and Roman antiquities - relatively small fragments of glass, stone, and terracotta that will otherwise always live in a drawer. 

We already have an active program of Handling Sessions of replicas in different media, presented with relevant materials and types of tools (modern, or replicas) used to make the ancient objects. Now we are thinking through the rationale for adding to the program in this way, especially since we do not want to encourage inappropriate touching. Archaeologists on staff (I am among them) don't want artifacts and ancient art to be of interest in a way that supports inappropriate collecting, and conservators are concerned about one touch leading to another in the galleries. On the other hand, this program could inspire serious interest in and respect for the objects.

I am hoping some of you will share your experiences with allowing the public to touch, or describe why you decided not to. Resources and protocols also much appreciated!

------------------------------
Shelby Brown
Education Specialist
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Thank you all. Very helpful! 
The positive results of touching an ancient object - in excitement, accessibility, visceral connection with the past, and teachable moments - are being validated by all who have responded so far.
Our decisions must be approved by our trustees, and the museum director's presentation to them accompanied by a clear document with an explanation of protocols, and a serious look at any down side (with an explanation as to how that negative possibility has been mitigated). So comments about that aspect of programming will be helpful.

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Shelby Brown
Education Specialist
The J. Paul Getty Trust
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2017 12:25 PM
From: Shelby Brown
Subject: Genuine artifacts as museum "touchables"

Forgive my lengthy explanation and request. The Education Department, curators, and conservators at my museum, the J Paul Getty Villa, are discussing a program to allow visitors to look closely at and in some cases touch genuine (deaccessioned) Greek and Roman antiquities - relatively small fragments of glass, stone, and terracotta that will otherwise always live in a drawer. 

We already have an active program of Handling Sessions of replicas in different media, presented with relevant materials and types of tools (modern, or replicas) used to make the ancient objects. Now we are thinking through the rationale for adding to the program in this way, especially since we do not want to encourage inappropriate touching. Archaeologists on staff (I am among them) don't want artifacts and ancient art to be of interest in a way that supports inappropriate collecting, and conservators are concerned about one touch leading to another in the galleries. On the other hand, this program could inspire serious interest in and respect for the objects.

I am hoping some of you will share your experiences with allowing the public to touch, or describe why you decided not to. Resources and protocols also much appreciated!

------------------------------
Shelby Brown
Education Specialist
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------