Photo Credits: Museum Worker holding Head of Carnegie Diplodocus, Paris From the Bain Collection (Library of Congress), Timo Strüker (Deutsche Schallplattenmuseum, Nortorf, Germany), Antenna (Museo chileno de Arte Precolombino) on Upsplash

This course is a deep dive into to ways of seeing museum, archival and other publically-held collections.

We'll learn how to view, use, and enjoy publically accessible collections through the people that work with them, and some of the things they 'do'. Oh, and why they matter!

Photo Credits: Joshua Tsu (National Archives of Singapore), Alex Suprun (Braun-Sammlung Ettel Design Museum, Berlin), Christian Garcia (Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta) on Upsplash, Carlo Raso (The Grimellini Collection, Archaeological Museum of Naples)

We'll start with the Big Question: What is an Collection? to explore our assumptions, knowledge, and expectations.

Then, we'll hear some diverse perspectives on the primary types, functions, and responsibilities of publically-accessible collections.

Photo Credits: CM (Sächsisches Staatsarchiv in Dresden), Grand Canyon NPS, Yellowstone National Park Historic Vehicle Collection, Ricky Esquivel (Chicago Zoo) on Pexels

We'll learn about accessibility and public access, collections management and care, and meet some of the people that make collections work. Then, we'll dig into collection policies and procedures, the nuts and bolts of collections management. Not super sexy stuff (unless you are a big ol' policy nerd like me!! 🤓), but, essential to understanding how collections are formed, managed, and most importantly, accessed by the public.

Finally, we'll take a look at some of the underlying issues and recent developments in collections ethics through 'contested objects', problematic histories, and controversial policies. We'll also explore efforts to 'right past wrongs' through repatriation, restitution, and reparations.

All important stuff...and a good foundation for understanding how and why collections in museums, archives, and other cultural institutions serve the public <-- that's you!!!

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Photos by Samantha Borges, Yle archives on Upsplash, Nikita on Pexels, Krisjanis Kazaks on Upsplash

You'll build skills and frameworks for seeing collections by reviewing Four Learning Modules (LMs).

Each LM presents a different aspect of collection history, theory and/or practice through videos, readings, and case studies. Curated images (read the captions!) and resources are presented to inform and evoke curiosity about collections across time and space.

Throughout the course, you will put your knowledge and skills into practice with real-world applications via Activities and Fieldwork Projects.

Coursework is reusable and adaptable to any content, format, type, or mode of collection (physical or virtual). Do the activities and projects on your own or with others. Try them in different modalities or types of collections.

Everything is designed for you to tailor the course content and outcomes to your personal learning goals.

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Photo by Inga Seliverstova (Zoological Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia) on Pexels

By the end of this course you will have gained knowledge, heard diverse perspectives, and practiced critical looking and thinking skills that empower you to see collections differently.

Sounds great, but how are we going to do that? Have no fear! I've got a plan. Let's take a look...