University Days Activities
The University Museum Collection Facility

A museum is a place where a collection of objects illustrating science, art, history, or other subjects is kept and displayed. There are many types of museums throughout the world where visitors can learn how people lived and worked in early times, what makes a work of art a masterpiece, and how electricity works.

*Learn where the word “museum” comes from and what items were in early museums.
* Visit our web site to learn about what you will be seeing: http://www.uark.edu/~arsc/collections/
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There are three main interest areas of museums: (1) art museums – which preserve and exhibit works of art, (2) history museums – which illustrate the life and events of the past, and (3) science museums –which have exhibits on the natural sciences and technology. Other types of museums feature exhibits on only one subject (such as The Circus World Museum, The Barbie Hall of Fame, The Dog Museum, etc.).

*Find three museums (one from each kind of museum) that are found in the United States and give a brief description of each.

*There are many different kinds of museums, such as history, natural history, art, and Civil War sites located in northern Arkansas. Visit three different museums in our area. See the list of museums to find museums to visit. What differences do you see among these various museums? What similarities?

Museums have written mission statements which explain exactly what the museum’s purpose is.
*Ask one museum for a copy of its mission statement.
*Make a list of five kinds of things which that museum might collect and five kinds of things it would not collect.
*Check your list with someone from the museum to see if they agree.
Museums generally have collections. Collections are groups of objects that have something in common. They can be large and expensive, such as art works, or small and inexpensive, such as postcards.
*Become a collector yourself. Start a new collection by gathering things that you like or are interested in. Remember that a collection does not have to cost lots of money or be purchased. Consider family mementos, flea-market or yard-sale items, autographs, stamps, dolls, or stuffed animals. Your type of collection is only limited by your imagination.
*Collect at least 10 objects for your collection.
Museums not only collect objects but also preserve them and their historical information for the future.
*Visit several local museums. Ask about and study the techniques they use to clean, classify, and store the objects in their collection.
*After completing your study, look at your own collection and use the information you learned to care for and arrange your own collection.

Every new object that a museum adds to its collection is called an acquisition. Acquisitions are received in many ways, such as gifts from people, buying the object, or borrowing materials or exhibits from other museums.

*Find out how three local museums have received many of their objects.
Museums usually have staff members called curators who research information on history, art, or science and study the objects that the museum collects.
*Talk with a curator at one of the museums you visit and learn how they do research.
*Conduct research on your collection. Visit a library or collector’s group or use the internet to learn more about the objects in your collection and other related objects you might collect in the future . Museum operations are funded in many ways. Designing, constructing displays and
maintaining the museum are just a few of the costs of a museum.
*Find out how the museums you visit receive funding.

Almost all museums share their collections and information with the public through exhibits. Many hours of planning go into each exhibit, such as building cases, describing each object, and lighting.
*When visiting the museums ask about and study the techniques they use to plan and put together their exhibits.
*Using the information you learned, assemble an exhibit about yourself. Display this exhibit. Use pictures of yourself, baby toys you played with, pictures of things you like now, pictures of things you don’t like, your favorite band or favorite singer, etc.
Most museums offer educational programs to the public that relate to their mission.
*Talk to someone at a local museum that offers such programs and learn how they plan and present their programs.
*Create a program you can give based on your collection.
*Use your exhibit, your collections, and/or other props as part of your program. You may also want to put some collecting tips, collection care ideas, or resource information on your collection in writing as a handout for your audience.
*Present your educational program to your class.

Almost all museums use volunteers to help with all kinds of activities.
*Spend four to six hours volunteering at a museum in your community. You might be able to help with an educational program, plant flowers or work outside on the grounds, help with an exhibit preparation, or set up chairs for a program. Contact the museum to see how you can help them.

Most museum jobs require a college degree. Museums hire men and women trained in such fields as art history, history, library science, archaeology, botany, and zoology.
*Pick two jobs found in a local museum and interview the people who hold those jobs. Or visit the library and research two jobs found in a national museum or a museum in a large city. Find out the education needed and what special field is required for that job. What is the job description for each person?

We hope you have learned about the many museums located throughout our area. Museums display many different collections, attract all ages, and are an important part of preserving the many areas of our culture. There will always be a need for museums.

Modified from the "Marvelous Museum Patch Program" by the Girl Scouts of NOAK Council. Please contact Cathy Nichols (479-695-1830) for more information on the patch program.