Museum Collections & Exhibitions
Museum exhibitions are familiar to most people. Treasures displayed for the enjoyment (and education) of the general public... isn't that the best way for archaeologists to tell people about their work and their discoveries? (As a museum curator, I agree completely.) Here are different types of exhibitions you might find in a museum.
Permanent Collections/Permanent Galleries
Museums will display a portion of the fabulous collections entrusted
in their care in their permanent galleries. Occasionally, famous works
of art might be lent to other institutions or be removed from the
galleries to undergo conservation treatment, but there is always something
from a museum's permanent collection on view somewhere in the building
(even if your favourite piece is not always on display).
The quality of a museum's permanent collection makes its reputation.
Visit your local museum and find out what they are famous for...
Temporary Exhibitions
The masterpieces and artefacts presented in a temporary exhibition
can be part of a museum's collection that isn't normally on display,
but more often are part of a special collection from another museum
or private collection, or reprensent a grouping of masterpieces from
numerous museums gathered together under a specific theme. Temporary
exhibitions are presented in a museum for a limited length of time
(generally a few months) and are very popular because they are once-in-a-lifetime
museum experiences.
Travelling Exhibitions
A travelling exhibition will be presented at different museums within
a country or around the world. Needless to say, a travelling exhibition
is by default a temporary exhibition. Occasionally, museums undergoing
renovations will organise a travelling exhibition of their artefacts
and masterpieces so that they can be seen across the country even
if the museum or the permanent galleries are closed.
Exhibition Catalogue
Artefacts presented in a permanent or temporary exhibition at a museum
are often published in catalogues, books that show pictures and give
a description of the objects. Theses catalogues can focus on an entire
collection at the museum (systematic catalogue), illustrated a few
masterpieces from various collections within a museum (collection
handbook or catalogue of select works), or accompany a temporary exhibition
and feature works in that special exhibition (exhibition catalogue).
Those catalogues are beautifully illustrated with maps and coloured
photographs and fun to read. Some people even collect them!