Museum Comparison the Two Private

Museum Comparison

The two private art museums I am comparing are the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and the Textile Museum of Canada.

The High Museum was founded in 1905 based on a donation from Mrs. Joseph M. High and has continued to grow over the years with the financial help of various donors and philanthropists. Recently, the High further increased its size by over 300,000 square feet with three new buildings, built by the Italian architect Renzo Piano. According to the High's director, "Renzo Piano's 2005 expansion takes the High to a new level as one of the nation's great museums of the twenty-first century." (Shapiro, 2005)

The additions have allowed for an increased number of more eclectic exhibitions including three brand new exhibitions pertaining to Harry Callahan's photographs of his wife, Eleanor, and an exhibition about 19th century folk art. The High's staff is a mix of staff members and volunteers, who assist in carrying out the various exhibitions and events going on at the museum. According to the museum's director, the High has not only drawn many crowds interested in seeing various works and exhibits, but the High has also helped to revitalize the and arts and cultural feel to all of downtown Atlanta. This is an illustration of how certain the help of volunteers, and hardworking citizens alike can help to turn an area around. (High Museum, 2005)

Unlike the High, the Textile Museum of Canada focuses exclusively on the work of textiles from all over the world. In 1975, this museum started out as a tiny village art shop in Toronto, but has grown in to one of the world's most renowned collection of textile art. (Textile Museum, 2007) the museum's growth is very similar to that of the High in that much of the money generated for the museum has come from donors and those with a passion for textile art.

The Textile Museum has an administrative and curatorial staff, but also relies on the help of volunteers for the certain events and exhibitions. The museum's mission is based on their desire for individual's to gain an understanding of humanity as it is represented through textiles. (Textile Museum, 2007)

The University Natural Museums I will comparing are the Royal BC Museum in Canada and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

The Royal BC Museum has been around since 1886 and prides itself in teaching individuals about the human and natural history in British Columbia. They're growth is based on their own learning and their ability to share more knowledge as they learn more about their own region and history. (BC Museum, 2007) the museum was started based on a petition of 30 "prominent citizens" in British Columbia. They expressed the importance of learning and educating others about BC. As the years went by, the government and the private sector has built upon the vision of those citizens to carry out a number of objectives relating to the importance of culture, history and geography. In 1913, a group of people from the provincial government expressed their desire for the museum to function for three reasons based on the importance of understanding all aspects of the region. Today, the museum has extended it mission to educate people about the entire province of British Columbia.

The museum's staff is also made up of fulltime directors and curators as well as donating members and volunteers who make contributions and help out during certain exhibits and events. The dues paid by members not only help the museum grow, but also allows access to everything the museum has to offer. Although the museum has grown and evolved over the years, the importance of educating people about the regions human and natural history stands at the forefront of their overall mission. (BC, Museum)

The Sam Noble Museum was founded in 1899 based on a mandate from the Territorial Legislature to educate people about the natural and human history of Oklahoma. Over the years, the museum has collected over 5 million pieces of history that has helped people learn about the area as a whole. Their mission is to constantly conduct investigations and studies to increase their knowledge about the area and those who were there before them. As the museums director states their goal is to, "develop exhibitions and conduct educational programs that illustrate, interpret, and explain the natural history of the state and region to bring a greater understanding of our world to the people of Oklahoma and others." (Snomnh.edu, 2006)

This museum, similarly to the other has a staff of directors and curators and also depends on the generosity and caring of volunteers and members. Together they help put together certain events and exhibitions as well as carry out other tasks including working in the museum store giving tours of the museum.