Curating convergence: interpreting museum objects in integrated collecting institutions

Abstract

This article is concerned with the phenomenon of convergence (institutional integration) of museums, libraries, archives and other cultural facilities. It investigates how such amalgamations impact the capacity of curatorial and collections staff to carry out interpretive practices, including object research, documentation and exhibition development. Through thematic content analysis of staff interviews conducted at five case studies of local government-run converged collecting institutions in Australia and New Zealand, the paper suggests that administrative restructuring – often predicated on the dual imperatives of financial efficiency and improved cultural provision – produces institutional frameworks that undermine the capacity of collections staff to interrogate the meanings of objects. In turn, impediments to interpretive practice limit the extent to which collections are rendered intellectually accessible to visitors.

Keywords:

• convergence
• museums
• libraries
• archives
• interpretive practice
• museum management

Notes

1. The wording of the Accord stated: ‘In recognition of the important cultural collections held by local governments, [the aim is] to jointly encourage greater integration of the operation of Local Government cultural facilities including libraries, museums and art galleries’ (Debus et al. 2006).

2. A large regional municipality in South-Western NSW.

3. M&G NSW is a not-for-profit organisation supporting museums and galleries in the state of NSW, and their visitors. It receives funding primarily from the NSW Government, with additional funding from the Commonwealth Government.

4. For a more extensive account of the existing primary research, see (Robinson 2016).

5. A Curator speaking about the shortcomings of an institution’s permanent exhibition.

6. Extract from comments by a Curator regarding the display of touring exhibitions at one institution.

7. A Heritage Collections team member describing fundamental differences between library and museum approaches to collection documentation.

8. A Collections officer describing the effects of different approaches to interpretation on the ability of staff to perform their roles effectively.