Hi,

We use Classification for this purpose as our departments and custodial responsibilities are rather unique. Classification allows us to divide it up so to speak, it's not perfect but best solution so far. Modern works fall under our Modern and Contemporary department, the classification is then used to identify works belonging to either collection.  The Canadian department expands and advances every 5 years so any Canadian works in Contemporary then change department and classification. Same with our Library & Archives, we have 4 terms for each collecting area under the L&A umbrella. If it is an artist fond, it remains L&A otherwise it is assigned one of the other three.  Hope this helps.

Liana


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From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Klauke, Michael
Sent: May-30-17 5:01 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Department/Search conundrum

Greetings, all -

I'm hoping someone may be able to help me with a problem we're wrestling with.

Our collection is divided up into numerous Departments on TMS, two of those being "African" and "Modern/Contemporary." We collect and have collected a good number of African objects, such as cloths, headrests...etc. But we also have begun collecting work by contemporary African artists. Up to this point, the contemporary African artists have been included in the "Modern/Contemporary" department. But that means if someone searches for African art in our collection, the search results will not include the contemporary African works.

We thought about creating a separate department of "Modern & Contemporary/African," but then it seems like we would have to divide up all the Modern artists by geography, and then why not start dividing up all the earlier European art, etc.? At this point, that seems like a can of worms we'd prefer to leave unopened!

If anyone else has encountered a similar situation, I'd appreciate hearing how you dealt with it.

Many thanks, and feel free to respond off-list if you prefer.

Michael


Michael Klauke
Associate Registrar for Collections
North Carolina Museum of Art
4630 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4630
Phone: 919.664.6822
Fax: 919.715.1860

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