Arts
One of the things I love about my work is being with the objects. As collections managers, we build familiarity with our spaces that many people crave. That being said, controlling access to storage is paramount to great collections management. In this episode, I explored how access should be considered when running a storage space. Unlike galleries, collections storage should be a highly controlled space where people are managed in very predictable processes. Even though many professionals and researchers outside collections care desire to access objects and back-of-house spaces, it is not what they are trained to do. Building expectations and processes for vetting requests can help you control everything from schedule management to staff burnout, to the safety of your objects. It's important to remember that not everyone needs to visit secure spaces...even if they want to. I hope this episode helps you write protocols that set realistic boundaries for your institution and priorities.