Creating a Museum and Heritage Studies Minor

FAIN: AB-258958-18

Albany State University (Albany, GA 31705-2796)
Charles R. Williams (Project Director: June 2017 to October 2022)

Faculty development workshops leading to the establishment of a Museum and Heritage Studies Minor at Albany State University.  

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Albany State University seeks funding for the development of a multi-disciplinary minor in Museum Studies. The minor serves the common good by promoting diversification of museum fields and providing training for staff and trustees of regional organizations through open workshops with guest lecturers. Additionally, the program has the potential to supplement the regional workforce with student interns during field studies experiences. ASU is the largest HBCU in the state and geographically located to extend these opportunities to a more diverse and underserved population. The need for this initiative is two-fold: to prepare African-American students for fields involving museology, preservation and archiving, and to create career paths for humanities majors while extending opportunities in the humanities to students working in other areas of study. Finally, the Museum Studies minor is part of a larger, ongoing objective to promote the holdings of the university and the cultural institutions in the area.

Associated Products

Seminar I Syllabus (Exhibition and Museum Studies) (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Seminar I Syllabus (Exhibition and Museum Studies)
Author: Mr. Charles Williams
Abstract: The Museum Studies Minor has been approved. The title of the course has not been officially changed, but the content has.
Year: 2021
Audience: Undergraduate

Museum Studies Minor Curriculum Proposal (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Museum Studies Minor Curriculum Proposal
Author: Charles Williams
Abstract: This is the proposal to change a course title, add an internship, and optional courses to fulfill the minor.
Year: 2021
Audience: Undergraduate

Library of Museum Studies and Related Texts (Acquisitions/Materials Collection)
Name: Library of Museum Studies and Related Texts
Abstract: Over the course of the grant we acquired several books related to museum topics in the areas of exhibitions, business, education, technology, and history.
Director: Charles Williams
Year: 2022

Dr. Monica Montgomery Lecture (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Dr. Monica Montgomery Lecture
Abstract: Dr. Monica Montgomery presented a virtual lecture and discussion with community members, students and faculty.
Author: Dr. Monica Montgomery
Date: 11/4/2021
Location: Albany State University, Fine Arts Center (webex open to the community)

Dr. Aleesa Parchamarn Alexander lecture (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Dr. Aleesa Parchamarn Alexander lecture
Abstract: Dr. Aleesa Parchamarn Alexander presented a virtual lecture and discussion with members of the community, faculty, and students.
Author: Dr. Aleesa Parchamarn Alexander lecture
Date: 11/11/2021
Location: Main location at Albany State Fine Arts Center with virtual access

Dr. William Eiland Lecture (Museum Employment Outlook) (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Dr. William Eiland Lecture (Museum Employment Outlook)
Abstract: Dr. Eiland spoke with students, kfaculty, and members of the community about museum opportunities and employment outlook. Dr. Eiland is the Executive Director of the Georgia Museum in Athens, GA.
Author: Dr. William Eiland
Date: 11/21/2019
Location: ASU Fine Arts Center Concert Hall

Mr. George Davis workshop (former Executive Director of the California African American Museum) (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Mr. George Davis workshop (former Executive Director of the California African American Museum)
Abstract: I met Mr. Davis at the CAA conference in Los Angeles. He agreed to travel to Albany, GA to conduct a workshop with us which was held at the Albany Area Arts Council. We also toured the Albany Civil Rights Institute as part of the day long workshop.
Author: Mr. George Davis
Date: 7/14/2018
Location: Albany Area Arts Council

Mr. Dominick Guarneschelli (former Creative Director at the Kentucky Derby Museum) (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Mr. Dominick Guarneschelli (former Creative Director at the Kentucky Derby Museum)
Abstract: Mr. Guarneschelli, then the Creative Director of the Kentucky Derby Museum conducted a workshop at the Thronateeska Heritage Center. It was important to have a representative from a different kind of museum and someone who could speak about hands on exhibition experiences and the challenges of his job. The workshop also included a tour of the Thronateeska Heritage Center's municipal archive facility.
Author: Mr. Dominick Guarneschelli
Date: 6/16/2019
Location: Thronateeska Heritage Center

Mr. Nick Nelson (Executive Director, Springfield Museum of Art ) (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Mr. Nick Nelson (Executive Director, Springfield Museum of Art )
Abstract: Nick Nelson was a former Executive Director of the Albany Museum of Art which made him an excellent candidate for the inaugural workshop at the Albany Museum of Art. We introduced the Museum Studies initiative, and former Executive Director, Paula Williams presented. The AMA had sustained damage due to a tornado. This led to an interesting discussion of disaster preparedness and collections care. The workshop concluded with a tour of the museum.
Author: Mr. Nick Nelson
Date: 3/31/2018
Location: Albany Museum of Art

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