Uniting curators and sharing collections

 

The University of Hawai‘i Museum Consortium consists of units in the UH system which house living and non-living collections or are engaged in exhibition programs.

 

Formed in 2008, the UHMC was created to promote the significance of the collections, advocate for their needs, and consolidate resources. It enables previously isolated collection curators and managers to work together more effectively with greater knowledge of each other’s resources and problems. The UHMC is involved in improving collections care activities, sharing best data management practices, promoting online access to information and educational programs, and coordinating student volunteers. It initiated and manages the University of Hawai‘i Virtual Museum (UHVM) as a single portal for access to information on the collection units and exhibition projects.

 

The UHMC is currently led by Karen K. Kosasa, Director of the Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program and Associate Professor in American Studies; and Michael B. Thomas, Collections Manager of the Joseph F. Rock Herbarium. The UHMC is a volunteer organization.

Featured Projects

2008 UHMC Report

In late 2008, the UHMC produced a report on various collection units within the University of Hawai‘i system.

 

2011 Exhibition: Curator’s Choice: Selections from the UH Museum Consortium

September 6 – December 16, 2011, Bridge Gallery, Hamilton Library, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Organized by UHMC, this exhibition displayed objects and information from 10 different collection units on the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus. It featured the first use of mobile phone technology, QR (Quick Response) codes, and an interactive touch screen in the Bridge Gallery. The mobile phone tour allowed callers to hear short introductions to the collection by curators and collection managers, and the QR codes and touch screen enabled visitors to access additional information on selected collections via websites programs.

 

To hear the audio tours call #808-450-3006 and dial the 3-digit extension followed by #
200# Karen Kosasa, Introduction
201# Teri Skillman, Ethnomusciology Instrument Collection and Archive
202# Mary Roney, Waikiki Aquarium
203# Kathleen Cole, Fish Museum
204# Lisa Yoshihara, University of Hawai‘i Art Gallery
205# Jill Laughlin, Harold L. Lyon Arboretum
206# Bronwen Solyom, Jean Charlot Collection
207# Lynn Davis, Special Research Collections, Preservation Department
208# Daniel Rubinoff, Insect Museum
209# Michael Thomas, Joseph F. Rock Herbarium
210# Carol D’Angelo, Historic Costume Museum

2011 Speaker Series

10 lectures held in association with the exhibition Curator’s Choice: Selections from the UH Museum Consortium, September – December 2011, Hamilton Library, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Lectures given by curators, collection managers, and researchers to complement the exhibits featured in Curatorʻs Choice.

Members

Members of UHMC

Archaeology Collection, UHM
Ethnomusicology Instrument Collection & Archive, UHM
Fish Museum, UHM
Gallery ‘Iolani, WWC
Historic Costume Collection, UHM
Image Library, Department of Art and Art History, UHM
Insect Museum, UHM
Joseph F. Rock Herbarium, UHM
Harold Lyon Arboretum and Botanical Garden
University of Hawai‘i Art Gallery, UHM
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Buildings and Grounds, UHM
Waikīkī Aquarium

 

Affiliate Members of UHMC

Jean Charlot Collection, UHM
John Young Museum of Art, UHM
Nippu Jiji Photo Archive, 567 S. King St.
Preservation Department, UHM