Study collections: a challenging context for universities and museums
Most museum collections are locked away for their users, even though there is a strong case to be made for giving direct access. But how does a museum facilitate this object-based research, thinking about the practical consequences and knowing that accessing these objects inherently causes their deterioration? MoMu and the University of Antwerp’s (UA) Faculty of Design Sciences, Department Conservation Studies are establishing a Study Collection, a collection compiled for the sole purpose of being accessible for study, research, training and inspiration. Both institutions started the project ‘Study Collections: a challenging context in universities and museums’ that was funded by the Flemish government as a cultural heritage project.
Research questions.
Objects in a study collection fulfill important pedagogical aspects in the educational programs of universities and museums. The University of Antwerp, Heritage department holds a number of study collections as there are: stone statues, stained-glass windows, historical clothing, textiles, paintings and furniture. Many of these items are coming from former collections of the Royal Academy for instance. Other kinds of objects are an outcome of scientific research or educational programs. All of these items present an important aspect of our heritage and are open to students and professionals for study. The goals of this project were:
• to create a think tank on study collections and raise awareness on the phenomenon of study collections within the academic and museum context in Flanders;
• to register and share a study collection on an online platform, available for everyone, but in specific scholars, artist, designers, researchers;
• and most important, to make the collection physically accessible for all.
Impact.
Two articles were published and an international conference day was held on September 29th 2016.
The study collections are dissiminated through 'Omeka'. This is an opensource software platform for the publication of digital collections and virtual exhibitions on the world wide web. It can be used by archives, libraries, museums and scientific collections representatives.
The Fashion museum in Antwerp (MOMU) holds a study collection which can be consulted by appointment. The Heritage Department is able to register its objects through the ECHO-core platform. Doing so, the management and the consulting of the collection has become much more efficient. Because of the open-source setup, it remains very easy to add or develop additional functions. The project enabled to develop Omeka at a minor financial cost to act as a demonstrator.
http://network.icom.museum/fileadmin/user_upload/minisites/costume/pdf/Milan_2016_Proceedings_-_Ortega_Suls.pdf
https://issuu.com/faronet/docs/sept16_issuu
http://collectiemutsaard.org
https://www.europeana.eu/portal/nl/collections/fashion?q=Heritage+and+sustainability&view=grid