Lela Hersh

This course will teach students to apply principles and practices in collections management. It is intended for those who wish to work in the technical area of museums and with collectors. Collections managers typically focus on registration methods in large museums, but in smaller museums, these professionals might hold simultaneous positions as curators and/or directors. In the for-profit arena registrars work in galleries, auction houses, shipping and insurance companies, with private collectors or own their own business. Students will be exposed to all areas of collection management, from acquisition (accessioning) to de-acquisition (deaccessioning), care for a variety of types of objects, and external influences such as storage, environmental influences, shipping and insurance, and valuation.

The main textbook will be Museum Registration Methods - the industry touchstone for collections managers. Timely articles and YouTube screenings will also be introduced with ongoing discussions of ?best practices? as illustrated by a variety of museum Collection Management Policies, Loan Agreements, and Artist Commission contracts.

Coursework will include in-class assignments, relevant readings and two projects.

This course we will focus on achieving skills to develop a wide range of contemporary art consulting practices. Students will be exposed to an overview of the consulting industry, as well as the specifics of arts consulting. Topics will include setting up a business, budgeting, client analysis, leadership, buying art for individuals, corporations and foundations, artists' commissions, facility planning, and artist advocacy.

This course is intended to provide opportunities for students to gain proficiencies in the variety of skills required to practice art consulting. Readings typically include one textbook on Consulting, partial readings from an Arts Consulting book, and viewing YouTube and online articles. The class format will be a combination of lectures, guest speakers, and a full class of leadership activities.

Students will produce three assignments ? one choosing a work of art for a hypothetical collector following a trip to EXPO Chicago, another choosing works of art for a collector following a tour of a Chicago Collector?s home, and finally, the development of an art program project for a hypothetical client, such as a corporation, private collection, or law office. The goal of this class is to provide students with an understanding of entrepreneurship.