Museum Consulting

Consultants work with museum staff to create compelling and educational exhibitions. This involves conceptualizing themes, selecting objects, designing the layout, and developing interpretative strategies that engage audiences. Consultants can provide insights into the latest trends, technologies, and methods for display, ensuring that exhibits are accessible and resonate with diverse visitors.

Curatorial consultants help museums plan for the growth and refinement of their collections. This includes advising on acquisition policies, identifying significant works for purchase or donation, and ensuring that new acquisitions align with the institution’s mission and the existing collection’s strengths. Consultants can also assist with deaccessioning strategies, helping institutions make informed decisions about which items to remove from the collection in a manner that is ethical and legally compliant.

Accurate and comprehensive documentation is the backbone of any museum collection. Curatorial consultants assist in developing core collection documents, such as collection management policies, cataloging standards, and condition reporting forms. These documents are essential for maintaining high standards of collection stewardship and are tailored to the specific needs of the institution.

Long-term strategic planning is crucial for the sustainability of museum collections. Consultants can help define a vision for the collection, set achievable goals, and outline steps for implementation. This strategic approach ensures that the collection continues to be relevant and inspiring to current and future audiences.

Curatorial consultants often facilitate collaboration between curators, educators, conservators, and other museum professionals. They help foster a multidisciplinary approach to exhibition and program development, ensuring that multiple perspectives are considered and that the final product is well-rounded and impactful.

In addition to offering advice, curatorial consultants can provide training and mentorship to museum staff. This could include workshops on best practices, one-on-one mentoring for new curators, and professional development opportunities to enhance the skills and knowledge of museum personnel.

Consultants can evaluate and provide recommendations for improving the visitor experience. This may involve developing new engagement strategies, enhancing interpretive materials, or integrating interactive elements into the exhibition space.

Consultants contribute scholarly research that can enhance the understanding and interpretation of collections. They can assist with cataloging projects, provenance research, and the preparation of scholarly publications and exhibition catalogs.