The art of medicine
27 Mar 2015
Gallery students learn from Museum of Medicine and Health
A cross-Faculty collaboration is seeing MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies students working on collection management and exhibition ideas for groups of objects from the Museum of Medicine and Health.
As part of the ‘Managing Collections and Exhibitions’ course, 32 students performed a range of collections management, interpretation and exhibition development tasks with the objects.
Students researched and documented medical objects, assessed their condition and conservation and environmental needs, examined the long-term sustainability of the collection, proposed possible uses of the collection by students, staff and the wider public, examined possible collaborations between the Museum of Medicine and Health and other local cultural organisations and developed exhibition proposals of the collection to reach a wider audience.
The project, organised by Dr Kostas Arvanitis (Museology), took the form of seminars, workshops and group work and was supported by staff of the three University museums.
Dr Arvanitis worked closely with University Historian and Heritage Manager Dr James Hopkins, Museum of Medicine and Health Curator Stephanie Seville and Museum of Medicine and Health volunteers Julie and Peter Mohr.
James said: “This project is an excellent example of cross-faculty collaboration and has been a resounding success. It demonstrated the significant and unique contribution of the museum’s collection to enhance students’ learning.”
This collaboration offered students real-world skills and experience and an opportunity to examine and test in practice theoretical approaches. The input and advice by museum professionals enhanced further the learning process.
The project was received enthusiastically by the students, who felt it enhanced their employability.
One student involved said: “I valued the practical skills that I have been taught that can be transferred when I enter a position.”