Speaker Series: Ethics, Aesthetics, and the Preservation of the Arts Joint Hosted by SAR and MIAC

Thursday, May 9, 2013, 12:00 pm, Free. Location: School of Advanced Research Boardroom

The Museums’ Dilemma: Culturally Appropriate Conservation

Kelly McHugh, Objects Conservator, Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian

Many indigenous communities have differing ideas about the concepts of preservation and conservation. Often, these beliefs contradict typical museum practices. How does one balance museological best practices with cultural worldviews?

Kelly McHugh is an objects conservator at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, where she has had the privilege of working since 1996. She has an MA in Art History with a Certificate in Conservation from New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts and a BA in Art History and Peace and Global Policy Studies, also from New York University. Prior to speaking at SAR, her most prestigious lecture was given for Career Day at her son’s school, Sligo Creek Elementary.

This series is open and FREE to the public. These are brown bag lunch events, so please feel free to bring a meal with you to the lectures. Reservations can be made by calling (505) 954-7205 or e-mailing iarc[at]sarsf.org.    

The Indian Arts Research Center at the School for Advanced Research is pleased to announce its partnership with the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture to host the 2013 Speaker Series, Ethics, Aesthetics, and Preservation of the Arts. This speaker series is geared toward individuals and institutions interested in collecting and working with cultural materials. Over the course of several months, speakers will delve into the various legal and ethical issues surrounding art collecting and preservation, and offer some best practice guidelines. Talks will be held at the host institutions, the School for Advanced Research and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe. Please make note of the location of each talk.