{"id":4771,"date":"2019-01-31T16:15:52","date_gmt":"2019-01-31T16:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/media-archive.blackartinamerica.com\/?p=4771"},"modified":"2019-01-31T16:17:16","modified_gmt":"2019-01-31T16:17:16","slug":"minding-your-manners-at-the-museum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earthexhibitions.org\/media-archive\/?p=4771","title":{"rendered":"Minding Your Manners at the Museum"},"content":{"rendered":"

Minding Your Manners at the Museum<\/span><\/h1>\n
By Shantay Robinson<\/span><\/pre>\n
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photo by Julian Plowden for Black Art In America<\/p><\/div>\n
Working at a museum\u2019s front desk for five years, I\u2019ve seen a lot of things, heard a lot of complaints, and had to impart rules verbally to patrons. It was my job to impart, what some people thought were unfair rules. At times, it was tough. People couldn\u2019t understand why their children shouldn\u2019t be carried on their shoulders or why babies in carriers needed to be worn in the front. They would argue with me for enforcing the rules of the museum that were put in place not only to protect the art, but to make sure everyone was safe. To be clear, sharing 10 important museum rules from my experience will keep a lot of people from being embarrassingly reprimanded and make the work for museum staff around the world much easier. There are rules, so there are security guards in large museums to enforce those rules. If they tell you something, they\u2019re just doing their jobs. God forbid something happens to an artwork, not only will the work of art be ruined, the security guard will be at fault for not protecting the gallery. So, to keep things running smoothly, I\u2019ve compiled this list of 10 very important rules for visiting art museums.<\/span><\/p>\n
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  • No eating and drinking in the galleries<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    While most museums have cafes, they are usually tucked away in spaces far from the art because museums forbid food and drink near the art. Accidents happen, people can be pushy, they can trip and fall, even sippy cups can leak. In order to preserve the art to the best of their ability, there is no eating and drinking in the galleries. Museums tend to have events where food and drinks are served. If you notice, they don\u2019t hold these events in the galleries with art. If there is art around, this means the museum is trusting that you will be careful. In the museum where I worked, the lobby was typically where events were held. Although there is artwork in the lobby, they are placed away from where people can interact with them, some have wire barriers around them. No eating and drinking in the galleries holds true for young children as well. If your child needs to be replenished, take them to the caf\u00e9 where there will be tables and chairs available for you to eat and drink comfortably.<\/span><\/p>\n
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    • Stay a safe distance from the artwork<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      On several occasions, I\u2019ve noticed the daredevil in people. They stand as close as they possibly can to the painting pointing a daring finger at an artwork to show someone what they mean. Just imagine if a person behind you bumped you at just that moment. That daring finger would go right through the painting. Don\u2019t do that. When I see these people, they are so certain of what they\u2019re doing, as if accidents couldn\u2019t happen. Stay a safe distance from the artwork. Nobody wants that accident to happen. But to ensure the safety of the valuable art, use your best judgement. Sometimes there are wire barriers close to the floor to avoid people from getting too close. There might be lines on the floor, so you keep your distance. Glass is sometimes used to keep people from poking and prodding at the art. Respect those barriers. And just because the barriers are there doesn\u2019t mean you have to stand exactly where your body and the barrier meet. <\/span><\/p>\n
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      • Don\u2019t be noisy<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        Museums should be serene to enhance art watching. In order to maximize vision, sounds should be kept at a minimum. Noise in the gallery is distracting to the other museum-goers. Loud talking can disrupt others from engaging in deep thought. If you must discuss your museum experience with your company, do so in a respectful voice. Avoid talking on the phone in the galleries, if you must take a call, do so in the lobby of the museum where noise is allowed. People are so sensitive to the sound of noise in the galleries, I once received a complaint about the security guards communicating on walkie talkies, and they were doing their jobs. Often times, at the museum where I worked, when there were events in the lobby, the sound would float up to the higher-level galleries. And while these events were expected to be loud, some people still complained. The music playing in the lobby affords a different experience in the museum. When these events happen, you have to expect your museum-going to be affected. I would suggest you avoid going to the museum at these times. While the museum is typically quiet during daytime hours, when school groups arrive, all of that changes. My suggestion would be to visit another gallery while the school groups are there. It is quite difficult to conduct interactive tours of the museum without hearing their voices. <\/span><\/p>\n
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        • Documenting your visit should not disrupt the experience for others<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          Some museums don\u2019t allow you take pictures, so ask. Other museums will allow you to take personal pictures. But don\u2019t use the flash. The artworks are sensitive to light. If you are a commercial photographer and you would like to take pictures, you should ask for a pass. Selfies are great to share on social media, but don\u2019t hog the artwork so other people can\u2019t see it. And don\u2019t spend a lot of time trying to take the perfect selfie when others are waiting to look at the artwork unobstructed. On another note about social media, it can wait. Take the image you would like to post and then move to another location to write about it. Also, if you see someone engrossed in an artwork, and you would like someone to take a picture of your group of friends, find someone else. Don\u2019t ask the person who is engaging with the artwork.<\/span><\/p>\n