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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40340","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":"Chris"}}]]On September 17, 2014, The Children's Museum took part in #AskaCurator Day for the third year in a row. #AskaCurator is a global social media campaign that gives online users the chance to tweet with curators at museums around the world. This year, over 700 museums from 43 countries took part, and we were right there with them! We like to include a variety of staff in the #AskaCurator fun, including our Director of Collections, our Archivist, our Exhibit Developers, and our Paleontologists.
Many of the questions are so great, the answer can't possibly fit in a tweet! So we compiled the answers in blog posts to make sure that nothing is missed. This blog highlights the #AskaCurator responses from Children's Museum's Director of Collections, Chris Carron.
What is the most random question you have ever been asked about an artifact or exhibit?
Some people ask why we don’t exhibit everything we own. Others ask why we don’t have a garage sale for everything not currently on exhibit.
What is your earliest museum memory?
Growing up in St. Louis, art museum visits were free so we went often. I got to buy a small book from a series on artists each time.
What is your favorite museum memory?
Seeing the drawers of glass animal eyes used by the taxidermist at St. Louis Science Center as a boy scout.
Which object at your museum do you most want to get out and play with?
The Superman vs. Metallo Rock ’Em Sock ‘Em set!
What makes your institution unique?
Most children’s museums don’t use object collections, but we do! Children like to be wowed by the “real stuff of life” as much as adults.
How do you feel about the increased use of technology in museums? Would you like to see more, or less?
Museums are where you can encounter the “real thing” and not just photos or replicas. But technology can also make those encounters richer!
What is the most bizarre object in the collection?
An adult-sized wooden coffin from Ghana, carved and painted to look like a running shoe.
Cotton or latex gloves? #eternalquestion
Even better – gloves or no gloves? Gloves prevent damage from oils on skin. But if you might drop something heavy then clean hands are best!
Any juicy inside info or perks about the glamorous life of a curator?
My life isn’t glamorous. But getting to care for a terra cotta warrior or Willy Wonka’s golden ticket is the greatest thing in the world!
