Opinion
We must save natural history curators from extinction
New acquisitions are the lifeblood of any museum collection, as they keep it fresh and relevant. This may seem ironic when it comes to collections of dead animals and plants – doubly so in an age of conservation and environmentalism. So what is the future for natural history collecting? A natural history curator (if you …
Give children their rights to culture
I visited Stockholm recently to see the Vasa, a jaw-droppingly beautiful ship that sank in 1628. It is now housed within a museum that was built around it after its long salvage operation. I was particularly struck by a sign in the museum alerting visitors to the fact that a new education space is under way: …
Philanthropy is crucial for the regions
The need for regional museums to diversify their income streams grows insistently as modes of public funding decline. Philanthropic giving has to become an increasing part of that mix. It is desirable and necessary to enhance philanthropic fundraising in regional museums. There are, however, numerous ways in which the regions differ from London, and will …
LGBT-centred work confers many benefits
How many events have you organised in the past year that aimed to engage with an LGBT audience? Can you relate any LGBT stories linked to, say, half-a-dozen objects in your collection? Is LGBT-themed collecting a part of your acquisitions policy? Does everyone working in your museum know what LGBT means, and if not, have …