The West Coast Chapter of the Society for the History of Collecting
invites you to the second lecture in its online series, University Museums
The Global Museum at San Francisco State University: Using Collections to Create
a Student-Focused Museum from the Ground Up
Prof. Edward M. Luby
Professor and Director of the Museum Studies Program Interim Director and Chief Curator of the Global Museum
FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER, 2021 12PM (PST); 7PM (GMT)
Drawing on the history of university museums, this talk outlines how the collections at a small, new campus museum at San Francisco State University, called the Global Museum, have been reframed to create a student-focused museum, one in which curriculum, professional train- ing, and a critical examination of collecting and acquisition practices are placed at the center of museum operations. After reviewing the mission of the Global Museum and its ties to the Museum Studies Program, a brief review of collections and university museums is presented, followed by a snapshot of the university museum sector in the USA today. A detailed view
of the development of the Global Museum, including the challenges involved in understand- ing and caring for its collections, is then presented. Finally, a case study of efforts to reframe the Global Museum’s Ancient Egyptian Collection by examining its collecting history in the context of colonialism is reviewed in brief to highlight how the Global Museum is transform- ing how it uses it collections for teaching, in display, and in interpretation, such that ethical considerations associated with collections care, stewardship, and use are foundational, acted upon, and integrated into curriculum and research.
Edward M. Luby received his B.A from the University of Rochester, New York, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Stony Brook University, New York. Prior to San Francisco State University, Dr. Luby was Associate Director of the Berkeley Natural History Museums at the University of California, Berkeley, as well as Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Research, also at the University of California, Berkeley, and Director of the Repatriation Unit for the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at U.C. Berkeley. Dr. Luby’s research and museum professional development activities are in three overlapping areas: understanding and developing best practices for museums concerning their interactions with community or descent groups; collections-based museum research; and developing international museum professional exchange and training programs.
Members will receive a flyer with the link to the talk at least two days before the event.
Non-members should register by emailing: events@societyhistorycollecting.org