Works on paper, including photographs, drawings, and prints, account for one-third of the Chrysler Museum of Art’s collection, but these works had rarely been seen by visitors. This panel discussion will provide insight into why the Chrysler, located in Norfolk, Virginia, decided to transform its previously back-of-house archive space into a dynamic new amenity for staff and visitors, and how it did so while maintaining the preservation of the archive.
Opening to the public in Fall 2024, the 2,100-square-foot Goode Works on Paper Center includes a dedicated space to house a growing collection of more than 10,000 works and a study room that significantly improves public access to the collection. Previously, when visitors, artists, students, and scholars requested to view these works, art handlers were required to retrieve them from storage, place them on carts to transport them to a common area and ensure that a docent and security officer were present. The design of the new Center creates public-facing accessibility to the space, provides room for classes and study groups, and enables museum staff to perform collections care and recordkeeping in the space.
Learning Objectives
- Learn how to make back-of-house functions more visible and accessible to the public
- Discover how to select archival storage furnishings for high performance and future growth
- Examine how to handle security during construction while remaining operational
- Understand the process of working with a primary donor who provided funding for design, construction, and operations, and art objects
- Explore the operations of a works-on-paper archive and integral study room"
