National Museum of AustraliaManaging Exhibitions with EMu

Latvian silver-coloured metal brooch with amber coloured bead Photo: George Serras

Overview1. Database Requirements and

Modifications made

2. Exhibition Example

3. Users, Output and Problems

Database Requirements Accessible Searchable Reportable Manage:

large exhibitions, travelling exhibitions, gallery design and mounts, installs, changeovers and de install

dates

Modules Catalogue

Objects permanent information

Events permanent, temporary and travelling

NMA exhibitions Exhibit Items

Custom built module Automatically created when a

Catalogue record is attached to an Event

Example Exhibition: Australian Journeys

Debrie Parvo model 'L' 35mm hand-crank movie camera used by Frank Hurley Photo: George Serras

Event Records Exhibitions divided into numerous

event records Hierarchy of event levels

Program Module Exhibit Name Story

Event Records

Hierarchy Tab

Linking Event records:

Program

Module 01

Exhibit Name 01.10

Story 01.11

Numbering Events Purpose: order event records Use the Title field Programs: no number Modules: 01 – 90 Exhibit: 01.10 – 01.90 Story: 01.11,01.12

Attached at Story level

Adding Catalogue Records

Events Module: Event Code A unique, four character

alphanumeric string that represents the Event

Used for searching in the Event, Catalogue and Exhibit Items

Do not make the event code an actual word

Example: Australian Journeys = AJYS

Event Code: Exhibit Items

Moving from Module to Module

Cricket bat autographed by the English Women’s Cricket Team (1934) Photo: NMA

Moving from Module to ModuleEvent to Catalogue:

Moving from Module to Module

Catalogue to Event

Event to Exhibit Items

Moving from Module to Module

Catalogue to Exhibit Items

Moving from Module to Module

Moving from Module to ModuleExhibit Items to Catalogue or Events

Exhibit Items to Catalogue or Events: View < Attachments < Current Records

Moving from Module to Module

Exhibit Items to Catalogue or Events: Attachments

Moving from Module to Module

NMA usersCuratorial Events records Attaching objects communication reportsRegistration: Object movements Outward LoansConservation Tracking object’s display time Exhibitions Project management

Exhibit Items List

Exhibit Information Sheet

Changeover Report

Problems we have faced Not updated Date changeovers are hard to track Moving between Exhibit Items and

Catalogue

Managing Exhibitions with EMuConclusions

Victa 'New Utility' Series 70 2-stroke lawn-mower, c.1968 Photo: George Serras