Projects - Museum Studies

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2104/7996

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The African art collection at the Martin Museum of Art, Baylor University.
(2011-05-12T15:47:04Z) Ramey, Megan Lotzenhiser.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
The objective of this project is to add to the Martin Museum's knowledge of its African Art Collection, improve its condition, and make it more accessible to the public. Little has been formally recorded about most of the eighty objects. Even the accuracy of what is known can be questioned. Many of the objects were purchased from the back of a station wagon in the 1980s: problems resulting from this will be examined. Improved care of the African Art collection will be achieved through cleaning, storage, and updated records. The outcome of the project will provide the Martin Museum of Art with more information on their collection, making the collection a valuable educational resource.
Alternate reality games in small museums.
(2011-09-14) Mauger, Heather.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
Museums need to think creatively to attract and retain a young adult audience. One way museums are addressing this is by creating Alternate Reality Games (ARGs). Unfortunately, there is minimal research and application of ARGs in museums, especially small museum. This project documents the research, development, and implementation of an Alternate Reality Game at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas. I also surveyed the museum field in regards to their opinions on Alternate Reality Games. ARGs can be a great programming option for museum that have the resources to create one. However, in small museums ARGS are particularly challenging to due to the lack of time, resources, and support.
Archaeology and museums : a project in two parts.
(2020-07-31) Rose-Bean, Kirstin J.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
This professional project consisted of two parts, the Albright Artifact Collection Inventory Project and a research paper, “Archaeologists in Museums: A Collaborative Model.” The first part consisted of the production of a digital inventory and final report regarding the archaeological materials housed at the Albright Institute for Archaeological Research (AIAR) in Jerusalem. This catalog and report included a number, a brief description, some photographs, and provenance information (wherever possible) for each object. While several artifacts had no ascertainable provenance, it was possible to connect many of them to four excavations led by American archaeologists connected to the AIAR. The catalog produced and the report submitted will be used by Albright administration to inform future conservation and care of the objects. The second part of the project consisted of a research paper that investigated the current state of collaborations between museums and archaeologists, with an emphasis on exhibits, and suggested a new model for exhibit collaborations. A literary review and two case studies evaluates current collaborations between archaeologists and museums. The paper finds that most current collaborations are large-scale programs and exhibits, requiring extensive financial resources, developed after excavation is complete, which are not easily updated. This paper concludes by proposing a new model for a small-scale collaborative exhibit that could be done while excavation is ongoing, could be easily updated, would require fewer resources, leading to more up to date collaborative exhibits that can be accomplished by museums of any size.
Art framed by archives : building a special collections archive at The Grace Museum.
(2014-09-05) Dietz, Amanda Faith.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
Although archives and museums may be viewed as institutions that have little to do with each other, both entities acquire and preserve objects of cultural importance and make them accessible to the public. This project focused on the intersection between museum and archival theory and practice through the exercise of setting up a special collections archive at The Grace Museum in Abilene, Texas. The two main goals of the project were to arrange, rehouse, and describe the Clint Hamilton Papers and to draft a processing manual for future special collections archival work. A one-page summary of the project was prepared for the board of The Grace Museum and several presentations were given to staff, board members, and potential researchers from the community. The successes of this project included seeing the recently processed archival materials used in an exhibition, increasing awareness in the community of the value of archival materials, and providing recommendations for future use and development of the archival collection.
Boxes and boxes, missing context, and an avocational archaeologist : making sense of the Frank Watt collection at the Mayborn Museum Complex.
(2011-05-12T15:19:51Z) Bischof, Robin E.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
Museums often find themselves with more collection than they are capable of properly inventorying, documenting and cataloguing. The Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor University has one such collection of Native American artifacts and documents collected by Frank H. Watt, a local archaeologist. The late Watt worked many years as an avocational archaeologist in Texas. Examination of both his collection of papers and Native American artifacts led to the discovery that some of the documents corresponded with particular objects. By matching the two collections, Frank Watt's papers are linked to actual specimens, and the objects are united with their history, giving them context in a written record. This project combined both collections and archival work in addition to research regarding the life and writings of Frank Watt and a brief review of Texas pre-history and early history.
Bringing the Mayborn Museum Complex discovery boxes into the 21st century.
(2011-05-12T15:21:11Z) Buonafede, Maria.; Caston, Ellie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
Museums have realized the sustaining benefits of school partnerships over the last fifty years and are better meeting the needs of teachers through outreach. This project focuses on one successful outreach program employed at the Mayborn Museum Complex in Waco, TX called Discovery Boxes. Discovery Boxes are thematic kits containing related 3-D objects, media, books and lessons to aid teachers in science and social studies. This project consisted of redesigning elements of selected boxes based on evaluation from area classroom teachers, in order to increase their accessibility and effectiveness. In order to evaluate these boxes, interviews were conducted with six elementary school teachers who had previously used the Discovery Boxes. The feedback provided from these teachers guided the redesigning of the boxes; and the same teachers then used the redesigned boxes in their classrooms. The teachers evaluated the redesigned boxes and made further recommendations. This project also includes a brief literature review of museum-school partnerships and outreach throughout history and the specific development of Discovery Boxes at the Mayborn Museum Complex. The results of the project provide recommendations to staff at the Mayborn Museum Complex for the continuation of redesigning the remaining Discovery Boxes. The process and recommendations can also be used as a model by other museums with similar outreach programs.
Cleaning out the attic : evaluating and refining the Heritage textile collection at Historic Waco Foundation.
(2014-05) Childers, Rebekah.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
This graduate project was completed at Historic Waco Foundation in Waco, TX. The project consisted of the examination and evaluation of the women’s textiles in HWF’s Heritage Collection on an item-level basis. Objects were evaluated based on criteria in HWF’s Collections Management Policy. This evaluation primarily considered whether each object fit within HWF’s collecting scope and whether or not it was exhibitable. Recommendations for each item were given to the Collections Manager for presentation to the Collections Management Committee.
Cleaning skeletons from our closets : the repatriation movement in the United States of America, New Zealand and Canada.
(2013-05-15) McCarthy, Mary K.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
This project explores the complex issues that still surround NAGPRA and offers current solutions to American museums struggling with them. The chapters examine the current state of repatriation efforts in the United States, New Zealand and Canada. The successful repatriation of remains in New Zealand and Canada is examined for key elements that made progress possible. The final chapter offers recommendations to American museums based on success in New Zealand and Canada.
Creating a searchable history.
(2017-06-22) Berge, Courtney E.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
Throughout the summer and fall of 2016, I worked on a project for the Mayborn Museum Complex in Waco, Texas. For 6 months, I worked to archive the Mayborn’s digital born photographs. These images were taken at events, during renovations, and in the general running of the museum. My task was to find a place to store these images and make them accessible to the Mayborn staff. The first 3 months of this project involved uploading over 19,000 photographs and organizing them appropriately. To finish the project I needed to tag each image with applicable search terms and create a procedural manual, so the work I had been doing could continue. From start to finish I processed over 19,000 photographs and met with my project supervisor weekly to tag and identify images. Concluding this project, I have gained experience in archival standards for born digital files and the measures needed to ensure accessibility.
Cultivating connections : a survey of Dallas Heritage Village donors.
(2011-05-12T15:50:00Z) Simpson, Lisa R.; Hafertepe, Kenneth, 1955-; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
Historic house museums and villages have been struggling for the last 25 years to sustain their operating costs. Many have been focusing on interpretation as a way to engage the public and gain a new audience. This project looks at a different way of viewing the problem to focus on fundraising and development as a way to engage donors and develop a new commitment to these historic institutions. This project surveyed and interviewed high-level donors from Dallas Heritage Village in Dallas, Texas concerning their donation practices. This project found that personal connections are vital to fundraising and governing bodies must understand their role in the process.
A curious collaboration : explorations in exhibition development.
(2017-06-22) Norris, Jenna.; Hafertepe, Kenneth, 1955-; Museum Studies.; Baylor University.; Baylor University. College of Arts and Sciences. Dept. of Museum Studies.
This project focused on gaining experience in the exhibition development process and in planning and management of traveling exhibitions. The product of this learning experience was the creation of an auxiliary exhibit titled “Curious Creatures: Traditions of Animal Imagery” which was designed to complement the themes of the traveling exhibit “Sacred Journeys” by National Geographic. This report details the challenges and accomplishments over the course of this project which further emphasized the importance of adaptability and collaboration in the museum field.
Diamonds and denim : a case study of large-scale western art exhibitions and sales as museum fundraising opportunities.
(2012-08-08) Perez, Lauren A.; Hafertepe, Kenneth, 1955-; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
This project will discuss the varying styles and similarities of large-scale exhibitions and sales within museums specializing in the art of the American West, primarily focused on the Western Artists of America Show and Sale at the Pearce Museum in Corsicana, Texas. Many museums fundraise for a distinct purpose and Western Art museums are distinct in many ways. Surveys were conducted among Western Art museums that were known to have held and supported events and sales as focused in this study. They were then evaluated and discussed in the study. The Western Artists of America Show and Sale at the Pearce Museum was then discussed from a first-hand point of view and then discussed in the larger framework of these particular shows in an effort to understand how they are conducted and how such events can be replicated in other Western Art museums who may have not taken the leap to establish one. Western Art by nature is attractive to many, and is thus a perfect opportunity for themed fundraising and community involvement.
Engaging visitors in historic buildings : Dallas Heritage Village's revitalization project in the Citizen's Bank building.
(2012-08-08) Cavenah, Kelli A.; Caston, Ellie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
Although most museums have transformed from dim, dusty, quiet places of private intellectual pursuits into vibrant, educational institutions, many historic homes and buildings have struggled to make the leap into the hands-on learning models so many museums today put into practice. This project concentrates on the revitalization project being conducted at Dallas Heritage Village in Dallas, Texas, and how the staff is endeavoring to bring learning in historic homes and buildings to life through hands-on and more engaging educational approaches. A brief literature review examines the history of education in museums with an emphasis on newer approaches to learning, especially in historic homes and buildings. The goal of the project was to determine what types of educational activities would be successful in the Citizen's Bank building as a part of Dallas Heritage Village's revitalization project. This Master's project utilized Dallas Heritage Village staff interviews, on-site observations and surveys, and visitor feedback in order to determine the engagement level, likeability, and learning potential of the proposed hands-on activities. Visitor groups examined for this project consisted of drop-in family groups and scheduled school groups, in both directed and free-choice learning situations. Feedback and data was gathered and used for activity modifications before a second round of surveys and observations was conducted. The results of the project indicate an increase in engaging visitors with the use of simple educational activities that can be used by Dallas Heritage Village as they continue their revitalization project. The process and outcomes may also be useful for other organizations with similar needs or buildings, as it demonstrates useful methods of data gathering and provides insight into interpretation options available for historic homes and buildings.
From farm to market : digitizing the Confederate Reunion Grounds collection for public access.
(2013-09-16) Galbraith, Danica R.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
This graduate project was completed at the Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site in Mexia, Texas, over the course of six months in 2012. The project included inventorying, cataloging, rehousing, digitizing, and creating metadata for the site's rich archival collections. The collections were then uploaded online through the Southwest Collection's website operated by Texas Tech University, and EAD finding aids were developed to be uploaded onto TARO [Texas Archival Resources Online].
From private collection to public exhibit : designing a Native American Exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
(2014-09-05) Young, Kathleen Marie, 1990-; Caston, Ellie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
The project, From Private Collection to Public Exhibit, involved evaluating a large collection of Native American artifacts at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and using those artifacts to create an object-based exhibit. During this process an exhibit topic was formed, objects were chosen to be included in the exhibit, and text panels and object labels were written. The final product included a 49-page document featuring the correct text and object groupings, a 30-page object list with photographs and object dimensions, and a 2-page exhibit overview summarizing the exhibit.
From vision to verity : the Mayborn Museum Complex Oral History Project.
(2014-01-28) Sielaff, Steven K.; Caston, Ellie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
The Mayborn Museum Complex Oral History Project documents the capital campaign, design, construction and formal dedication in 2004 of the Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor University through the use of oral history interviews. No prior effort to record this period of the institution’s history had been made at the time of this project. While certain primary source materials are available documenting various facets of this history, it was determined that the vast wealth of information rested in the memories of certain individuals who played key roles in the new museum’s development and creation. Therefore a pure oral history project, using primary sources as background research materials, was chosen as the ideal course of action.
Getting to know your patrons : a user study at The Texas Collection.
(2012-08-08) Carson, Rachel Kathryn.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
The purpose of this user study is to determine who the users of The Texas Collection are and if their needs are being met. A survey targeted both on-site and online patrons. Included in the survey was demographic information that was used to understand patron’s social media habits and use of Texas Collection social media. Additionally, the study uses data collected from past years regarding library and archival patrons in terms of patron classification and the material used. Incorporated together, the study can be used in the future by The Texas Collection administration and staff to better meet the needs of their users.
Harding Black : rediscovered.
(2016-09-08) Garland, Joshua Shawn.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
This project documents the effort to process and exhibit the Harding Black Collection. Donated to Baylor University in 1995, this collection of approximately 12,000 ceramic objects by the master ceramist and researcher Harding Black offers an unparalleled look at the development of the American studio ceramics movement, and Black's decades-long fascination with recreating ancient Chinese glazes.
Illuminating masterpieces : the Martin Museum of Art Collections Crowdsourcing Project.
(2014-06-11) Hallinan, Margaret E.; Holcomb, Julie.; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
The Martin Museum of Art Collections Crowdsourcing Project was designed to assist in researching and managing the museum’s permanent collection. With a small staff and obligatory demands of basic collections care, changing exhibitions, and administrative duties, research of the collection becomes less of a priority among the managing of the museum. The project adopted a blog site as a forum to post images of the collection each week for volunteers to present accurate and insightful information on the identifying information on the works of art to supplement and support the research of the collections staff.
John James Audubon : life, work & legacy.
(2020-07-31) Hampton, Alexander.; Hafertepe, Kenneth, 1955-; Museum Studies.; Baylor University. Dept. of Museum Studies.
During the summer and fall of 2018, I worked with the Martin Museum of Art to design and produce the exhibit, John James Audubon: Life, Work & Legacy. To do this I broke the project into three main areas: design, fabrication, and installation. The first half of the summer was focused on the design of the space, which I created in SketchUp a 3-D drafting program. The second half of the summer was dedicated to fabrication. During this time, I created three pieces in the Mayborn’s woodshop that were used to recreate a period room. This included a fireplace mantle, a window, and a period delivery box for the subscriptions. Finally, the fall semester was dedicated to the install of the exhibit, and the programing that accompanied it. This project taught me how to carry out an exhibit from start to finish, and to work within the constraints of a budget. This is a useful skill to carry into the world of museums and will help immensely with creating future exhibits.

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