External Email - Exercise Caution
Hi All, I'm very glad to see that so many museums are having these conversations now and making headway on the issues around documenting the identities of our artists. We started talking about it in earnest at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) at the end of 2018 and are still talking, but we've made a lot of progress. The pandemic, associated financial issues and efforts to reopen the museum (set for July 16th!) have paused our work, but we will finish it as soon as we have more bandwidth.

I'm also very interested in a Zoom call as I want to hear all your ideas and concerns. If you are interested in more about what we've done, read on.

Our approach was to bring together a small (4-6 members) working group of concerned staff from the Curatorial Division and my Collections Information Management department. We had been recording some information about binary gender (male/female) for a long time, but the data was incomplete and obviously didn't address the full range of possibilities of what we and our audiences want to know about our artists. We realized that

  *   the information must be self-identified by living artists;
  *   we must ask them and abide by whatever it is they chose to share;
  *   for our own needs, the terminology we use needed some structure (to ensure we understand how people are identifying), but that everyone should be able to choose their own vocabulary;
  *   the words people use will not be consistent and will vary based on many criteria, such as age/generation
  *   and there is no way we can please everyone with what we're doing, but we need to make a genuine, thoughtful, respectful attempt to acknowledge different identities, both to shine a light on the amazing heterogeneous community of practicing artists and to reveal and address the bias that has been present in our collecting and exhibiting over time.

Our plan has been to produce a survey to send to artists at the time of acquisition, asking that they share only information they are willing to make public. (We can't ensure that something they tell us privately would not become public - by accident or intent - later.) We will clearly document the source and authority of any identity information we capture and be ready to change it at the request of an artist or their estate. We are thinking deeply about the ethics of this whole effort, but so far feel we need to push forward. If things do not work out - for any of a wide variety of reasons I can imagine - we will step back and rethink our approach. This process will be a living thing and not ever considered 'done'.

We want to begin with a concise, workable vocabulary and have done a lot of research into terminology. That is a shifting landscape, so will certainly change. We are planning to create a single controlled vocabulary within TMS to capture Gender identity, Sexual Orientation, Race and Ethnicity, Ability/Disability, religious affiliation and preferred pronouns. The authority will be called something like "Artist Identity data". We decided using a single hierarchy for everything will simplify things. We can add terms, use ALTs and Use For's as needed. We're creating our own because we feel that the Getty's too slim in what it offers and the Library of Congress terms seem out of date to us. ( But I'm definitely interested in hearing more from those of you who think they are the way to go.)

We'll capture the data in the TMS Attributes fields: for Constituents (where we have a known artist) and for Objects (when we have no known artist but an understanding that an object was likely made by or for a specific identity group). Using Attributes allows us to record a Date and use Remarks for noting the authority of the data, e.g. "self-identified" or noting a source for the data. In TMS 2018, we'll have the 'Certainty' field in Attributes, which will give us that chance to qualify data for artists no longer living.

We have a lot of questions still left to answer before we go live with our draft survey, but we should be in a position to start sending it out towards the end of the calendar year. Hopefully Jeremy and I can report on our efforts at the 2021 CI, as planned. Polina Smutko and I had planned to speak about this work at AAM this year; that may also happen in 2021. In the meantime, I'm reading the book Polina recommended - Ethical Questions in Name Authority Control, edited by Jane Sandberg -  and I am really appreciating its insights. It raises a lot of important questions for us all to consider as we attempt to capture and share such sensitive, personal information. (I haven't read Jeremy's suggested book, Data + Feminism yet, but it's on my list.)

Looking forward to carrying forward this conversation via Zoom!

All the best,
Frances




----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:38:16 +0000
From:    "Prater, Erica, DCA" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: Re: [EXT] Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

External Email - Exercise Caution
Hi Jeremy,

Like so many other institutions, we are in discussions on how we should go about identifying people, particularly in TMS. I would love to be part of the Zoom meeting as well.

Thanks,
Erica
Erica Prater, Collections Manager
New Mexico Museum of Art | on the Plaza in Santa Fe
107 W. Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501 USA
Office 505.476.5071 | Fax 505.476.5076
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>


-------------------------




Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:34:54 +0000
From:    Melanie Garcia Sympson <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

External Email - Exercise Caution

Hello -

We are also thinking about these questions at our institution. I really like Jeremy's idea of having a zoom call. (And thank you for the Data Feminism reference!)

My best,
Melanie


--

Melanie Garcia Sympson, PhD
Curatorial Associate
The Block Museum of Art



    ------------------------------

    Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 13:55:41 -0400
    From:    Karen Hines <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    I would also be very interested in this.

    Many thanks,
    Karen

    Karen Casey Hines  Associate Registrar for Collections and Database Administrator Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Vassar College Box 703, 124 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604 845.437.5249


    ------------------------------

    Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 18:12:21 +0000
    From:    Elisabeth Smith <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution

    Thanks, Jeremy, and all. I would be very interested in joining a Zoom call. I spoke last year with Frances about MIA's efforts, and was heartened by the important work being done; I would welcome a continued conversation.

    Many thanks and best,
    Elisabeth

    ELISABETH SMITH
    Collections & Provenance Associate
    she/her

    Seattle Art Museum
    m: 310.717.6036
    seattleartmuseum.org<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fseattleartmuseum.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517188585&amp;sdata=5m3ZLvNR2Q8d1ZTHEKpEbA3jNkuoIhQTPCgnr7rK%2Bsc%3D&amp;reserved=0><https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2F%2Fnam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp*3A*2F*2Fseattleartmuseum.org*2F%26amp%3Bdata%3D02*7C01*7Ctmsusers*40si-listserv.si.edu*7Ca1c3fa909ba340ddbed708d8186a26f8*7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c*7C0*7C0*7C637286191482103336%26amp%3Bsdata%3DSC9DWcy6k5QmOXOTplZ*2BHGicWCUhF82rIliYulAEtJI*3D%26amp%3Breserved%3D0__%3BJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSU!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!DTsu9AqKGqZXkH7-fuKSyHAQ9vJpAziYeqgVXRhWlzx-acoWWrMYqPp2ty7bilCcoMcI4sObeG8%24&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517188585&amp;sdata=43Pbp6lEsjQqvxJ1bg2ZqAxyPcpE5jfV4buoNyfjd3U%3D&amp;reserved=0 >



    ------------------------------

    Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 18:25:19 +0000
    From:    Aaron Zalonis <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    Jeremy,
    Thank you for your generosity and book recommendation -just ordered it. I’d definitely be interested in learning more. If you ever host a Zoom meeting, count me in.

    Best,
    AARON ZALONIS
    ASSISTANT REGISTRAR / DATABASE MANAGER

    NASHER MUSEUM OF ART AT DUKE UNIVERSITY<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2F%2Fnam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp*3A*2F*2Fwww.nasher.duke.edu*2F%26amp%3Bdata%3D02*7C01*7CTMSUSERS*40SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU*7C193b6effe9504e029a2608d8186bf613*7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c*7C0*7C0*7C637286199261087899%26amp%3Bsdata%3D*2FUCPXxIQbnx3QS0EoTtJumj93gbJDvl2E8NJlQeVH7M*3D%26amp%3Breserved%3D0__%3BJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSU!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!DTsu9AqKGqZXkH7-fuKSyHAQ9vJpAziYeqgVXRhWlzx-acoWWrMYqPp2ty7bilCcoMcIP14YcHk%24&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517188585&amp;sdata=shuj4JNWKa31ihOnS592zGvnA3p1M3WZqfAvY4Ds6vg%3D&amp;reserved=0 >
    box 90732  durham nc 27708-0732



    ------------------------------

    Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 13:34:04 -0500
    From:    "Hansen, Stephanie" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    Hi Jeremy,
    We'd also be very interested in a zoom chat on this!


    Stephanie Hansen
    Associate Registrar/Database Administrator
    P: 414-224-3273



    On Wed, Jun 24, 2020 at 1:26 PM Meredith L. Steinfels <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>> wrote:
    External Email - Exercise Caution
    Hi Jeremy,

    I would love a Zoom chat (to start!)- this is something we are grappling with as well- we have a large collection (and are continuing to collect) contemporary art by Indigenous North American and Native Alaskan, and Indigenous Australian artists.  Identity, nationality, citizenship, relationship to land and colonialism need to be addressed in terms of how we represent from a data standpoint.  Additionally, our curators have identified legacy subject tags intended to identify LGBTQIA+ artists and women artists as needing review and replacement.

    -Meredith




    ------------------------------

    Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 14:35:04 -0400
    From:    "Mahdi, Fatima" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    We're also really interested in this, and I'd love to be included in your zoom meeting. I don't think this subject can wait until Nov of 2021!

    I have noticed how gender and ethnicity is appearing on more and more ULAN records. I've also noticed that the current version of the AAT includes many more African diaspora terms than the version included with our TMS (2012).  There's got to be a way to leverage the Getty's good work and not reinvent the wheel.

    Cheers,

    Fatima

      --

    Fatima Mahdi
    Collections Information Specialist/TMS

    Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
    200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
    Richmond, VA 23220-4007
    T 804.340.1443

    [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>

--------------------


    Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 18:42:47 +0000
    From:    Cathryn Goodwin <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    We would also be interested in a zoom call to discuss –
    Thanks
    cathryn

    Sent from Mail<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2F%2Fnam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps*3A*2F*2Fgo.microsoft.com*2Ffwlink*2F*3FLinkId*3D550986%26amp%3Bdata%3D02*7C01*7CTMSUSERS*40SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU*7C02f8f623aa7b404c525608d8186e6638*7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c*7C0*7C0*7C637286209730491295%26amp%3Bsdata%3DSrrGQrnoyelIXUkrJDa4NclxBrFXn0g3vSZ7eAcaiw0*3D%26amp%3Breserved%3D0__%3BJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJQ!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!DTsu9AqKGqZXkH7-fuKSyHAQ9vJpAziYeqgVXRhWlzx-acoWWrMYqPp2ty7bilCcoMcIbafhbpY%24&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517198576&amp;sdata=5oaVJFhDMlYOeV48cNY1CWCFAmsWRWJLvRaDKzs3v6g%3D&amp;reserved=0 > for Windows 10

    From: Delmas-Glass, Emmanuelle<mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 2:35 PM
    To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    Jeremy,

    I would be interested in a zoom call on this topic.

    Also, would you be okay circulating to this list your fantastic MCN 2019 presentation with Erin Canning and Amanda Dearolph?

    Best,

    Emmanuelle

    Emmanuelle Delmas-Glass
    Collections Data Manager
    Yale Center for British Art

    From: The Museum System (TMS) Users <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> On Behalf Of David Lowe
    Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 2:22 PM
    To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    Hi Jeremy,
    Thanks! If you do set up such a zoom discussion or presentation, do please post it here (and/or add me to your email list). This would be something I, and I'm sure many of my Library colleagues, would be interested in.

    Thanks,
    David

    David Lowe | The New York Public Library
    Specialist II, Photography Collection

    Photographers' Identities Catalog<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2F%2Fnam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp*3A*2F*2Fpic.nypl.org*2F%26amp%3Bdata%3D02*7C01*7CTMSUSERS*40SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU*7C02f8f623aa7b404c525608d8186e6638*7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c*7C0*7C0*7C637286209730491295%26amp%3Bsdata%3Dc3Jg3Ic1Qpc0bVPFM6st2p1nKU8GyKdrlS3QQDCv*2Bqc*3D%26amp%3Breserved%3D0__%3BJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSU!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!DTsu9AqKGqZXkH7-fuKSyHAQ9vJpAziYeqgVXRhWlzx-acoWWrMYqPp2ty7bilCcoMcI1cQEQNU%24&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517198576&amp;sdata=epJwZpwznaOs6hs2ik%2F1529kLdjg0JCO6D4YzzrFOmo%3D&amp;reserved=0 >






    ------------------------------

    Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 18:51:04 +0000
    From:    "Rogers, Wendy" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    Hi Jeremy,

    I’d be interested in a Zoom call too!

    Thanks,

    Wendy

    Wendy Rogers, Head of Registrar
    she / her / hers
    phone: 212.849.8433

    Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
    cooperhewitt.org<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcooperhewitt.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517198576&amp;sdata=qGzSCSaavOd2jbQvCVEvuPm3yMXXJbYWuLzeqO9yaa8%3D&amp;reserved=0>



    ------------------------------

    Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:25:50 +0000
    From:    "Smutko, Polina, DCA" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
    Subject: Re: [EXT] Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    Excuse me if this is a double posting, I am not sure if my original message got through.

    As a non-binary trans woman, I am incredibly interested in this topic and would be happy to add perspective, if anyone is interested .  There are important ethical questions involved in the issue of recording gender identity.  There is an excellent book on the topic edited by Jane Sandberg,  Ethical Questions in Name Authority Control.

    Polina Smutko


    Polina Smutko, Director of Collections
    Museum of International Folk Art
    Pronouns: she/her/hers or they/them/theirs
    706 Camino Lejo | Santa Fe, NM  87505
    (505) 476-1216 | fax (505) 476-1300
    [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> | https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2F%2Fnam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp*3A*2F*2Fwww.internationalfolkart.org*2F%26amp%3Bdata%3D02*7C01*7Ctmsusers*40si-listserv.si.edu*7C1f5a8977ce2042c007aa08d818746e73*7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c*7C0*7C0*7C637286235642798635%26amp%3Bsdata%3DodcWEzrnGAAuYIW6yrulqdSwfdCtRlwrzexMHd*2BuQnM*3D%26amp%3Breserved%3D0__%3BJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSU!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!DTsu9AqKGqZXkH7-fuKSyHAQ9vJpAziYeqgVXRhWlzx-acoWWrMYqPp2ty7bilCcoMcICMOyVek%24&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517198576&amp;sdata=VQ7uzGTKko89mOxOVHVmVMLo7KcEO9Hc2O3xIbv%2F6Fo%3D&amp;reserved=0 <https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2F%2Fnam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp*3A*2F*2Fwww.internationalfolkart.org*2F%26amp%3Bdata%3D02*7C01*7Ctmsusers*40si-listserv.si.edu*7C1f5a8977ce2042c007aa08d818746e73*7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c*7C0*7C0*7C637286235642798635%26amp%3Bsdata%3DodcWEzrnGAAuYIW6yrulqdSwfdCtRlwrzexMHd*2BuQnM*3D%26amp%3Breserved%3D0__%3BJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSU!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!DTsu9AqKGqZXkH7-fuKSyHAQ9vJpAziYeqgVXRhWlzx-acoWWrMYqPp2ty7bilCcoMcICMOyVek%24&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517198576&amp;sdata=VQ7uzGTKko89mOxOVHVmVMLo7KcEO9Hc2O3xIbv%2F6Fo%3D&amp;reserved=0 >

    [cid:11660352-DF8E-4B67-98F4-F2C71D3CD90E@dca.lcl]
----------------------------------------------
    From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of Vang-Cohen, Yer
    Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 12:53 PM
    To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
    Subject: [EXT] Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    Like you all, we’re grappling with these issues too.

    For our collection, if gender/ethnicity is specified in an authoritative database, I’ve recorded that data in TMS, with a reference to which database (ULAN/LCNAF/Wikidata). For our living artists, we are considering including in the artist questionnaire a section about gender and ethnic identity, this will be a fill-in the blank question. For terms not found in the Getty TMS thesaurus, we are creating our own lists in the thesaurus manager.

    Currently, the gender list is the list used by the University, but I’ve added in all the pronouns.

    For ethnicity and demographic groups we are using the Library of Congress Demographic Group Terms:
    https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2F%2Fnam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp*3A*2F*2Fid.loc.gov*2Fauthorities*2FdemographicTerms.html%26amp%3Bdata%3D02*7C01*7Ctmsusers*40si-listserv.si.edu*7C1f5a8977ce2042c007aa08d818746e73*7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c*7C0*7C0*7C637286235642798635%26amp%3Bsdata%3DhtaSoyxFuD7APqI3OXy8e6KwX8pxL*2FyEvomuUR0bDb4*3D%26amp%3Breserved%3D0__%3BJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUl!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!DTsu9AqKGqZXkH7-fuKSyHAQ9vJpAziYeqgVXRhWlzx-acoWWrMYqPp2ty7bilCcoMcIhOmhirw%24&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517198576&amp;sdata=jrluhiS6Dp9TTSoBcAKrJBz2ZOtfbY7jzZIx8yrBiVw%3D&amp;reserved=0 <https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2F%2Fnam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp*3A*2F*2Fid.loc.gov*2Fauthorities*2FdemographicTerms.html%26amp%3Bdata%3D02*7C01*7Ctmsusers*40si-listserv.si.edu*7C1f5a8977ce2042c007aa08d818746e73*7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c*7C0*7C0*7C637286235642798635%26amp%3Bsdata%3DhtaSoyxFuD7APqI3OXy8e6KwX8pxL*2FyEvomuUR0bDb4*3D%26amp%3Breserved%3D0__%3BJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUl!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!DTsu9AqKGqZXkH7-fuKSyHAQ9vJpAziYeqgVXRhWlzx-acoWWrMYqPp2ty7bilCcoMcIhOmhirw%24&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517208574&amp;sdata=87a2hrTjCNmdOYUM0HiKC377p9UkV8Krg4bguXPyLdU%3D&amp;reserved=0 >

    For the subject matter of a work, we are considering moving towards what libraries do, and that is to reference Library of Congress Subject Headings.

    None of this data is live on our website yet, but super interested in joining a zoom sesh.



    From: The Museum System (TMS) Users <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> On Behalf Of Sarah J. Biggs
    Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 2:31 PM
    To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
    Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

    External Email - Exercise Caution
    Good afternoon, all,

    These are questions we are grappling with at the Saint Louis Art Museum, particularly *because* our collection is so encyclopaedic. We have lots of long-dead artists and unknown artists, and cultural artefacts. We have a number of programmes underway to address this on the public side, but we’re also trying first to think very carefully about how we are dealing with the data questions. All of which you’ve laid out.

    I would be very interested in a Zoom call or some other kind of collaboration - and I’m glad to hear that so many institutions are thinking about these questions. Please let me know if something like this goes ahead!

    Sarah J Biggs

    ________________________________


Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 20:05:14 +0000
From:    Caitlin Draayer <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: Re: [EXT] Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

External Email - Exercise Caution
we started to tackle this and developed some preliminary ideas, but would love to hear how other folks are thinking about it!
Caitlin

Caitlin Perry-Vogelhut
Associate Registrar, Database Administration and Exhibitions
Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218
(443)573-1737
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

________________________________
From: The Museum System (TMS) Users <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> on behalf of Prater, Erica, DCA <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 3:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: Re: [EXT] Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity


External Email - Exercise Caution

Hi Jeremy,



Like so many other institutions, we are in discussions on how we should go about identifying people, particularly in TMS. I would love to be part of the Zoom meeting as well.



Thanks,

Erica

Erica Prater, Collections Manager

New Mexico Museum of Art | on the Plaza in Santa Fe

107 W. Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501 USA

Office 505.476.5071 | Fax 505.476.5076

[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>




------------------------------

Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 2020 20:18:21 +0000
From:    "Smutko, Polina, DCA" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: Re: [EXT] Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

External Email - Exercise Caution
This is just so very frustrating I am a non-binary trans woman, Trans voices must be heard on this topic, I am being silenced by the listserve, why?

Polina Smutko

Polina Smutko, Director of Collections
Museum of International Folk Art
Pronouns: she/her/hers or they/them/theirs
706 Camino Lejo | Santa Fe, NM  87505
(505) 476-1216 | fax (505) 476-1300
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
[cid:11660352-DF8E-4B67-98F4-F2C71D3CD90E@dca.lcl]

----------------------------------

From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of Garton, Susan
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 2:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [EXT] Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

Thanks to both Jeremy and Frances Lloyd-Baynes too, with whom I corresponded just last week on this topic! Frances also recommended the book Ethical Questions in Name Authority Control, which I’ve ordered and look forward to reading. I would definitely like to join the Zoom call!

Best,
Sue

________________________________

Susan Garton
Collections Information Officer
Smithsonian
National Portrait Gallery

[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>  |  202.633.8554


[cid:image007.png@01D64A32.4ED30200]



From: The Museum System (TMS) Users <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> On Behalf Of Munro, Jeremy T.
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 2:05 PM
To: ListServ tmsusers <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity

Hey Hannah,

Myself and Frances Lloyd-Baynes at Minneapolis were originally going to present at CI on this very subject. In general what we've found is the importance of identifying people the way they wish to be identified even if your (or your standards) definition for say genderfluid doesn't match the artist or person in question and making sure that gender identity is not something that is just assumed for living persons. We envision questionnaires to artists to ask questions like "what are your preferred pronouns" or "what is your gender identity" with options to not say.

Additionally, the Smithsonian has an intern to fellowship program and I helped several of the interns collate their work on these questions in cataloging systems into a presentation that hopefully will be at MCN later this year.

I also keep recommending the book Data + Feminism<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdata-feminism.mitpress.mit.edu%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517208574&amp;sdata=m09ZmIypGpXnSEXOy%2BDRdnAwChfR6emg33JW9L5WjxU%3D&amp;reserved=0> by Catherine D'Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein. Though the book isn't exactly about museums, many of its indictments of data oriented around capitalist/white supremacy frameworks apply to museums. The book takes an extremely intersectional approach and really helped me think about what does a database built for and with the community of your museum look like. Its also important that museums not just focus on data and objects, but also value emotions, experiential knowledge, and people. Especially right now where many of our institutions are making the decision to privilege objects/donor relationships over their own staff, who are being laid off in record numbers which I find personally, professionally, and morally reprehensible.

Its a really tough subject because I think museums need to be okay with realizing some people might not have entries in this field and that data questions like "how many artists" are X are always imperfect questions (and in my opinion flawed since we know the answer - collections should have more works by historically under-represented and marginalized groups - white men have had dominance for hundreds of years there really is no way to over-correct on this).

Happy to talk more about this if you'd like - if folks were interested I'd be happy to even set up a Zoom call for people interested in these issues and creating collections databases that dismantle white supremacy rather than reinforce it.

Best,

Jeremy Munro
Database Administrator
National Museum of African Art

________________________________
From: The Museum System (TMS) Users <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>> on behalf of Hoffman, Kellyn L. <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>>
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 1:40 PM
To: ListServ tmsusers <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>>
Subject: Re: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity


Interested in hearing more about this, as we are also pondering this as well.



Best,

Kellyn





Kellyn Hoffman

Permanent Collection Database Administrator

Smithsonian American Art Museum

[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> | 202-633-8338

[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> | 202-633-8370

(she/her)







From: The Museum System (TMS) Users <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>> On Behalf Of Hoose, Hannah
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 1:28 PM
To: ListServ tmsusers <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>>
Subject: TMS Limitations - Gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality, ethnicity



External Email - Exercise Caution

Hello all,



I am reaching out to see what discussions other museums are having about the limitations of TMS and gaps in accurately recording gender identity, preferred pronouns, nationality (more than one), ethnicity, etc.?



We've had discussions with MoMA staff members about how the data is organized, how we can be more conscious of the way we track this information, how it is shared with staff, and then how the data pulled from the database influences other stats shared by the institution. We have now formed a working group to focus on specific blind spots in cataloguing in regards to database fields and how we report on them, context that is being left out when only sharing data and stats from TMS, and other information we should be capturing (such as gender beyond only 'male' and 'female').



Our department has had many internal discussions of the limitations and wanted to reach out to see how other institutions are addressing these issues with database organization as well as what you may be doing to remedy this - discussion groups, working with GS directly, internal working groups to share ideas and strategies, extra fields that have been added?



Thanks for your consideration! We look forward to hearing from you and continuing this discussion.



Hannah

--



Hannah Hoose
Coordinator, Collection & Exhibition Information (CEI)
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd Street  New York, NY 10019

Tel: 212.708.9797



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--
Frances Lloyd-Baynes  |  Head of Collections Information Management
My pronouns: She/her/hers  (What's this?<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmypronouns.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517208574&amp;sdata=DOK6oC%2BpktZeRyLP93L2aSsBLTp5rEo3neSDiE4TQsI%3D&amp;reserved=0>)
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
+1.612.870.3189  |  [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>  |  artsmia.org<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artsmia.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CTMSUSERS%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C2b9518c41d854d4f962e08d819124296%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637286913517208574&amp;sdata=hMh1v%2FL2I9aU5SzWVdHuwp3si47F4lVVmfK4NcZHTsM%3D&amp;reserved=0>

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