Artifact Rotation Schedule

[StephGaub]

Does anyone have a schedule that they follow for replacing artifacts that are in permanent exhibits? For example, do you leave textiles on display for a maximum of 2 years, while metals can be on display for longer? I would like to know how other institutions handle this so that artifacts on display are not damaged.

[cristina]

We rotate light-sensitive objects (mostly textiles and works on paper, but occasionally other materials as needed) about every eight months. Our conservators officially recommended a maximum of six months display every five years, but because we're overworked registrars that turned into about every eight months

Generally, we spread the rotations over six to eight weeks, working on Mondays when the galleries are closed, for a total change out of about 200 objects (some 10% of the works on display). We just finished our spring rotation, our next series starts at the end of November.

Of course the biggest problem with this sort of schedule is having enough objects, so we may need to rethink this at some point. Hope this helps.

[StephGaub]

Thanks for the info on your rotation schedule. This will help me to create a schedule for our own artifacts. Luckily we don't have as many light sensitive items as you

Have you had experience with museums that have items on loan to your permanent exhibits asking for textile/paper objects to be returned to them because they have been on exhibit too long? We haven't experienced this yet, but I'm wondering how often it happens.