Thesis Defense Announcement

College of Communication and Fine Arts announces the Final Thesis Defense of

Kimberly Bradshaw

for the Degree of Master of Arts

March 29, 2019 at 3:00 PM in Art & Communication Building, Room 244 A 

Advisor: Earnestine Jenkins

From Basement to Gallery: Visible Storage at the Metal Museum

ABSTRACT: The Metal Museum's collection of over 3,000 objects represents a broad spectrum of metalwork, including contemporary sculpture, jewelry, architecture, and historic objects dating back to the Renaissance. Until recently, only a small percentage of this collection was accessible to the general public due to limited gallery space. This thesis details the creation of a permanent Visible Storage exhibition that brought approximately 150 objects out of basement storage and into a single gallery. Hundreds of additional works can also be viewed in an online catalog that was launched in conjunction with the exhibit. Visitors can now learn more about the objects on display by browsing the catalog on small touch-screen tablets mounted on the gallery walls. The exhibition continues to evolve thanks to the ongoing efforts of interns and staff members who were trained in cataloging and preservation over the course of the project. The best practices outlined in this case study are intended to serve as a model for other small museums facing similar challenges.