And that's it from me! Thanks for all your amazing questions. For more of our collections check out:
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk
#AskACurator
September 14, 2017
Ask a Curator 2017
Ask a Curator 2017
Mine is this cage that revived canaries used in mines. They saved many tiny bird lives 🐤
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8412
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Never pretend to be unenthusiastic and do what makes you happy. Also, wearing waistcoats makes people think you're smart
#AskACurator
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Lucky Jim, the original nyan cat (with less poptarts)
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8408
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Biggest misnomer/assumption abt Curatorial work? "You're just like Indiana Jones!" Nope. Less travel, more data entry. #AskACurator
GIF
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My bad! Probably our microphotographs by J.B. Dancer. Here's the Lord's Prayer in micro form:
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8405
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Being responsible for what gets acquired. Basically deciding what does and does not get preserved #AskACurator
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I don't think I've seen it being asked yet. Curators of Twitter: what's your favourite object in your collections? #AskACurator
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Where possible display the parts and also show the working object, like our replica 'Baby' computer
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8418
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Tracking down information on poorly documented/mystery objects and updating their records. It's like putting the world right #AskACurator
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I've been waiting for this! Our Beyer-Garratt Steam Locomotive, which is on display in the Power Hall
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8405
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Notebook: goes everywhere with me
Pencils: No pens allowed in stores, so I don't own any
Paper mountain: self explanatory
Cake
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A family of mice with names of famous Manchester innovators/scientists/inventors: Dalton, Joule, Drew-Baker #AskACurator
Very true! We don't get any better unless we listen to our visitors. Another reason curators shouldn't be hidden from view #AskACurator
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Thanks Ian ! The first time I went into the Power Hall I was in awe of seeing (and smelling) historical machines in action too #AskACurator
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says: spend an afternoon watching and critiquing robot musicians. Fun though!
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We've got a sectioned model of a Canadian Boeing 747-100 with a lovely maple leaf on the tail
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8408
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says: Disassembling a national grid mimic board from a derelict building and transport it through the snow #AskACurator
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Alice Cliff says: "Learn how to taxidermy transgenic (genetically altered) fish so they can be transported overseas #AskACurator
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We're excited for Robots too! I'll be running tours when it opens in just a few weeks (best job ever!!) #AskACurator
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Our curator Alice Cliff really enjoyed Shirley Baker's photographs
as an exhibition that provokes inter-generational dialogue
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What are you most excited about in your upcoming programme? (hi from Manchester!) #AskACurator
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And in my experience visitors love hearing from curators just as much as curators love to talk. It's a positive loop!
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Challenge: storing data
Opportunity: Online platforms that anyone can access like our new Collections Online site:
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk
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Hi Irene. We do have a few things in our archives. If you email collections@msimanchester.org.uk we can tell you in more detail
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I think today proves that curators WANT to be visible and engaging with people as much as possible
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John Dalton’s eyes. Collections shouldn't be able to look back at you *shudder*
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8410
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I may be biased because Mr Grasshopper lives in our stores:
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8415
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What about Mr Grasshopper? He's the very image of an old school curator, wise, helpful, s̶t̶u̶f̶f̶y̶ #AskACurator
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Completely agree. Every interview I've had has focused on my experience. Try get a good range to cover many roles #AskACurator
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Ok, here's a question for everyone wanting to answer: how big are your curatorial teams? We have 5 in our team right now #AskACurator
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The Avro Shackleton aircraft is one of our big 'wow' objects. You can see it in our Air and Space Hall #AskACurator
collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8418
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I wanted to be an archaeologist, but I hated digging and couldn't limit myself to one subject area. Museums were the answer #AskACurator
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Getting people as passionate and excited for old technology and bits of machinery as we are! #AskACurator
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Essentially there’s no set way to become a curator. A passion for working with collections is key, but how you express that is up to you 3/3
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Some people recommend a museum studies degree, but I’ve known curators who worked their way up with experience or with other degrees 2/3
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@Anthillel 'How do you become a curator'
Everyone's path is different. I did a museum studies MA then started as a Collections Assistant 1/3
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