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Re: Photograph archivist vs. photograph curator



I find this topic very interesting. Having come from a varied background geared more toward historical societies and museums, this is an especially interesting topic. Personally, I don't see much of a difference between 'photograph archivist' and 'photograph curator'. Actually, in my naieve mind, the difference seems to be that a 'photograph archivist' would be more likely to group images together into collections & catalog the collections, whereas the 'photograph curator' would be more likely to catalog each individual image. This is only based on the differences between cataloging archival materials & more museum-type objects.
 
A similar topic was addressed at the joint MAC/MARAC conference this past fall. The debate was if there was enough difference between archivists & manuscript curators to divide the two into separate catagories (much like the division between record managers & archivists). I have to admit that was the first time I had heard there might be a major difference between archivists & manuscript curators.
 
The addition of the term 'collections manager' seems to add another dimension to this discussion. My title now is 'Special Collections Manager', but the Curator here wants to change that to 'Curator of Special Collections'. I'm still doing the same things, but it blends nicely with his department chart where there will be a 'Curator of Textiles' 'Curator of Fine Art' 'Curator of ...', etc. I wanted to add 'Archivist' to my current title, but it just becomes too cumbersome. I'm in charge of the historical collection of the family that owned Stan Hywet Hall (the special collections part), but also in charge of the institutional archives which has yet to be formally developed (the archives part). I try to utilize archival principles in my work, but have to blend them with curatorial practices.
 
Sorry to babble, but I guess to sum it up, I never really thought of a major difference between a photograph curator and a photograph archivist. Both deal with cataloging, both deal with research, both deal with exhibits. Betsy, it would be interesting to hear what you come up with.
 
Bridgette - just trying to learn more about this field!! :)
 

Bridgette A. Kelly, Special Collections Manager
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
714 N. Portage Path
Akron, OH  44303
ph: 330-315-3232   fax: 330-836-2680
BKelly@stanhywet.org   www.stanhywet.org