62-807 Museum Operations
6 units, Carnegie Mellon University
Museums share a responsibility for presenting, preserving, and interpreting arts, culture, history, and heritage for the benefit of the public and society. Yet, each museum has its own unique set of challenges and complexities, managed by a team of staff and board members who all share in the delivery of a museums mission, vision, and values. In this course, students will gain an understanding of what a museum is and how it is managed, exploring various operational processes including collections management, facilities management, risk management, public program management, and financial management. Special topics will cover roles and responsibilities of museum staff, collections documentation, visitor services, auxiliary services such as gift shops, public safety, and trends. A range of museum types will also be highlighted, including art museums, natural history museums, childrens museums, science centers, craft centers, and others. Course work will require students to make connections between theory, practice, and implementation, ultimately providing insight into the many factors inherent in running a museum in the 21st century.
Prerequisites: none listed
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