Planning and Managing an Exhibition Programme

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display collection: objects collected and preserved indefinitely, primarily for
purposes of display - although of course they also reward study
study collection: objects collected and preserved indefinitely, primarily for
purposes of identification, study, research, analysis or comparison with others;
some of these may also be suitable for display, and may in fact be included in
permanent collection displays, but the primary reason for collecting them is their
value for study
. reserue collection: objects to which the museum may not have made a commitment
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for indefinite preservation, either by reason of their condition, duplication of other
items in the collection, intended use for hands-on education purposes, their present
isolation from other objects in the collection (which may or may not be remedied
in time), or other factors. Items in the reserve collection may be transferred to either
of the other two categories when their condition is restored to be appropriate for
display or studS or when other items are collected to make them a meaningful
group; others, such as those used in the hands-on education programme' may
eventually be de-accessioned.
Once the display collection has been identified, the next step in planning a permanent
collection display programme is to project its growth. Many curators initially despair
of such projections, pointing to the unpredictable nature of an acquisition programme
that may be heavily or even entirely dependent on donations. However, a study of the
past fluctuations and averages is always instructive, and usually can justify a reasonable
projection, especially if the museum professionals making it are keenly aware of the
sources of donations, and the probability or imminence of such significant events as a
new building or renovated galleries that are likely to attract more donations when they
are announced.
Contrary to the anxieties of some curators, projecting a growth rate does not limit
a museum's flexibiliry, but enhances it. Knowing the anticipated growth rate facilitates
a regular check against projections, so that adjustments can be made, and advantage
may be taken of opportunities in a responsible way that acknowledges the space or
scheduling challenges that new acquisitions present. Case study 8.2 presents an
example of collection growth resulting from a temporary exhibition, in turn affecting
the'Walters Art Gallery's permanent collection display plans'
Only when the display collection has been identified and its growth projected as
reasonably as possible, should the present and preferred display/storage ratio be
considered. The ideal is not necessarily the maximum:
PLANNING AND MANAGING AN EXHIBITION PROGMMME 263