The role of collections of classical antiquities in UK regional museums : visitors, networks, social contexts
This thesis explores the role of collections of classical antiquities in UK regional museums through qualitative research in six case study museums, with a focus on previously under-researched collections outside London, Oxford and Cambridge. First, an analysis of their history and intended role provides new insights into the broad picture of the development of foreign classical archaeological collections, in a range of contexts: two municipal museums; two university museums; and two galleries founded by private art collectors. The collections' contemporary role is analysed through the related concepts of outputs, benefits and meaning, situated within an exploration of the personal, physical, and socio-cultural contexts. Despite evidence of under-use, in some contexts, classical collections are shown to be made accessible in multiple ways. Focusing on casual visitors to permanent exhibitions, and drawing on interviews with museum visitors, staff members and stakeholders, I use the categories of the Generic Learning Outcomes and Generic Social Outcomes to analyse the perceived benefits of encounters with classical collections. I also discuss the wide range of meanings made from classical antiquities, presenting
Donnellan, V. C.
The role of collections of classical antiquities in UK regional museums : visitors, networks, social contexts. This thesis explores the role of collections of classical antiquities in UK regional museums through qualitative research in six case study museums, with a focus on previously under-researched collections outside London, Oxford and Cambridge. First, an analysis of their history and intended role provides new insights into the broad picture of the development of foreign classical archaeological collections, in a range of contexts: two municipal museums; two university museums; and two galleries founded by private art collectors. The collections' contemporary role is analysed through the related concepts of outputs, benefits and meaning, situated within an exploration of the personal, physical, and socio-cultural contexts. Despite evidence of under-use, in some contexts, classical collections are shown to be made accessible in multiple ways. Focusing on casual visitors to permanent exhibitions, and drawing on interviews with museum visitors, staff members and stakeholders, I use the categories of the Generic Learning Outcomes and Generic Social Outcomes to analyse the perceived benefits of encounters with classical collections. I also discuss the wide range of meanings made from classical antiquities, presenting
role collection classical_antiquity regional museum visitor network social_context explores_role collection classical_antiquity regional museum qualitative case_study museum focus previously under_researched collection outside london oxford cambridge first analysis history intend role provide_new insight broad picture development foreign classical archaeological_collection range context municipal museum university museum gallery found private art collector collection contemporary role analyse related_concept output benefit meaning situate_within exploration personal physical socio_cultural context despite evidence under use context classical collection show make accessible multiple_way focusing casual visitor permanent exhibition draw interview museum visitor staff member stakeholder use category generic learning outcomes generic social outcomes analyse perceive_benefit encounter classical collection also_discuss wide_range meaning make classical_antiquity present