Museum Visitation

Step One:

• First, you will select a museum from the class list to visit. If you live in town, you must choose from this list. All the museums are linked on the table below, so you can check their websites to see what special exhibits they are showing. For students from out of town, you must email me the name and a link to the museum you wish to visit. You must give me at least 2 weeks’ notice for approval before you go.
• You can travel to the museum on your own, with friends, or even with your group members from class.
• REMEMBER to bring your student ID so that you get a discount on admission.
• REMEMBER to keep your ticket and/or receipt as proof that you visited the museum in case I have questions.
• Call the museum you have chosen to ask if they have one day a week where entrance is free. Most museums do. 
• REMEMBER, when you call make sure to ask if all sections of the museum, including their traveling exhibit(s) are open, so you do not make a wasted trip.
• You may want to call or ask at the museum if they run tours. If so, you may want to do the tour to get an introduction to the museum.
• REMEMBER to print out Paper Guidelines before you go, so you know what to take notes on!
• Plan to spend at least 2 hours there so that you can complete notes to help write your paper when you return home. REMEMBER to sketch ALL FIVE OF the works you will discuss in your paper. YOU NEED A SKETCH FOR EACH SECTION A-E. I just want a rough sketch. I am not expecting a Rembrandt.
• THE PURPOSE OF SKETCHING is so that you may sit quietly and contemplate each of the works you will write about. Looking at a work live is not the same as looking at an image or picture of the work (like on your phone). Explore your feelings when looking at the work. Think about how the work makes you feel. Think about what the author may have been thinking when creating the work and the message the author was trying to communicate. You may want to print out these Questions You Should Think About When Looking at Art before you go to help you look at the art more closely.
• ONLY pick from the list of museums below. Through the years, these museums have had the highest quality exhibitions. They provide educational support through literature, videos, etc. You may not go to a museum or art gallery that is not on the list. For students from out of town, you must email me the name and a link to the museum you wish to visit. You must give me at least 2 weeks’ notice for approval before you go.
• Please don’t ask me if you can go to a science museum, a history museum, an art gallery, an arts/crafts festival, or the Body’s Exhibit instead. These art not art museums, and thus will not qualify for this paper.

Museums:

Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132(305) 375-3000

NSU Art Museum of Ft. Lauderdale1 E. Las Olas Blvd., Ft. Laud.(954) 525-5500

Norton Museum of Art1451 S. Olive Ave. W. Palm Beach(561) 832-5194Bass 

Museum of Art

2121 Park Ave., Miami Beach

(305) 673-7530

Museum of Contemporary Art770 NE 125th St, North Miami(305) 893-6211

Lowe Art Museum

University of Miami – 1301 Standford Dr., Univ. of Miami, Coral Gables Campus(305) 284-3535

FIU Frost MuseumFlorida International University – 10975 S.W. 17th Street, Miami, FL, 33199(305) 348-2890

Step Two:

View these videos before your visit.

Print these directions and the Paper Guidelines out and take them with you to the museum. Also take a sketch pad to sketch the works you will discuss in your paper.

1. Begin by walking through the museum. Note that all museums have permanent collections (artwork they own) and exhibitions (traveling art shows).
2. Look at the art with care. If possible “listen” to it and hear what the artist is trying to communicate.
3. Take notes based on Paper Guidelines.
4. THE PURPOSE OF SKETCHING is so that you may sit quietly and contemplate each of the works you will write about. Looking at a work live is not the same as looking at an image or picture of the work (like on your phone). Explore your feelings when looking at the work. Think about how the work makes you feel. Think about what the author may have been thinking when creating the work and the message the author was trying to communicate. You may want to print out these Questions You Should Think About When Looking at Art before you go to help you look at the art more closely.
5. REMEMBER to sketch ALL FIVE OF the works you will discuss in your paper. YOU NEED A SKETCH FOR EACH SECTION A-E. I just want a rough sketch. I am not expecting a Rembrandt.

Step Three:

Write Report (Read all directions carefully before you start!)

1. Your report should follow the guidelines stated under the Written Assignments section of your syllabus. Your paper must be typed in a 10-12 point font, double-spaced with margins that are no more than 1 inch.
2. If you don’t have Microsoft Word, save your file as a .txt, .pdf, or .rtf file. Title your document with one word. For example, I might use sarah1.doc.
3. Your report must be at least 700 words. You need a sketch for each section A-E.
4. Please make sure to turn in your own work. Use your own words, not summaries of the descriptions of the artwork listed in the exhibit brochure or displayed with the objects’ titles.
5. Also, this report is an individual project. It should not be done with other students.
6. Any papers that are plagiarized will be turned back to the student and an “F” grade will be given.
7. Make sure to upload your paper to the dropbox and read your originality report. If your paper is above 5% copied (excluding quotes) make the necessary changes before re-submitting it into the dropbox. For more information on using the turnitin dropboxes in Blackboard and understanding originality reports, click here.
8. Sketches should NOT be included when you upload your paper. They should be scanned in and uploaded to the seperate Sketch dropbox or they can be faxed to the number in the syllabus. Make sure your professor’s name is on the cover sheet. The sketches can also be mailed to the address in the syllabus.
9. If you have problems getting started writing your report, take a look at Questions You Should Think About When Looking at Art. DO NOT LIST THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. ANSWER THEM.

Paper Guidelines:

Print these guidelines out and write on ALL of the sections Part A – Part E

Click here to print a copy of the Paper Guidelines.

Part A. The Most Beautiful Object in the Museum

• As you walk through the museum, you should seek the most beautiful object you can find. When you have discovered it, stand or sit before it for at least two minutes.
• Try not at first to look at the “title” or other information displayed with the object. Use your insight and imagination to understand the art before you.
• Think about what thoughts and questions are going through your mind as you look at the object. Try to answer these questions in your paper; don’t just list questions without answers.
• Take notes that express your feelings and thoughts plainly and simply.
• Make a 8 x 10 sketch of the object, including the important details. (Do not worry about your artistic talent – I just want to see your impression of what you saw.)
• This part of the paper should include:
  • the name of the museum you visited.
  • the title of the work you selected, its artist, and the country the artist is from.
  • a detailed description of the work and why you selected it. (Use Questions You Should Think about When Looking at Art if you get stuck. However, do not list the questions in your paper. Answer them.)
  • the feelings the work aroused in you.
  • your 8×10 sketch, including the important details.

Part B. The Most Interesting Non-European/Non-North American Work of Art

• Follow the directions for Part A. Make sure to list the country the artist is from. (Make sure to complete a sketch.)

Part C. The Most Disturbing Work of Art OR A Work of Art that You Disliked

• Follow the directions for Part A. (Make sure to complete a sketch.)

Part D. 2 Paragraphs about a Special Exhibition

• Please add a paragraph about a special exhibit at the museum. What was the title of the exhibit? What was the purpose of the exhibit? Give a general description of the artwork that is part of the exhibit.
• In your second paragraph, select an object you feel is the most significant of this particular exhibit. Make sure to include the title of the piece, the artist, country of origin, a description and sketch, and why you thought it was the most significant of the exhibit. (Make sure to complete a sketch.)

Part E. What Would You Take Home

• If you could take one work home, from anything in the museum, what would you select and why? Describe the work you have selected. (Make sure to complete a sketch.)

Part F: Follow These Procedures

• Make sure your paper has a title.
• Make sure your paper is AT LEAST 700 words.
• If you have trouble writing your paper, go to Questions You Should Think about When Looking at Art. Please do not list the questions you are using. Just answer them.
• Your paper must be typed in a 10-12 point font, double-spaced with margins that are no more than 1 inch.
• If you don’t have Microsoft Word, save your file as a .txt, .pdf, or .rtf file. Name your document with one word. For example, I might use sarah1.doc.
• Please make sure to turn in your own work. Use your own words, not summaries of the descriptions of the artwork listed in the exhibit brochure or displayed with the objects’ titles.
• Also, this report is an individual project. It should not be done with other students.
• Make sure to upload your paper to the dropbox and read your originality report. If your paper is above 5% copied (excluding quotes) make the necessary changes before re-submitting it into the dropbox. For more information on using turnitin dropboxes inside of Blackboard and understanding originality reports, click here.
• Any papers that are plagiarized will be turned back to the student and an “F” grade will be given. You will then not be eligible to pass the course.
• Your FIVE Sketches should NOT be included when you upload your paper. They should be scanned in and uploaded to the separate Museum Sketch dropbox or they can be faxed to the number in the syllabus. Make sure your professor’s name is on the cover sheet. The sketches can also be snail mailed to the address in the syllabus.

Museum Rules:

Museum Policies and Rules of Conduct

Museums and galleries are concerned about both the exhibition and the protection of the works of art in its collection. Knowing and observing the below rules will be helpful.

1. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH ANY WORK OF ART IN THE MUSEUM. Try to keep at least eight inches away to avoid any accidental damage. Be be prepared for a gallery attendant to to remind you if you get too close.
2. APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. Eating, drinking, gum chewing, and smoking are not permitted in the galleries. Running, jumping, and physically fooling around are not permitted because of the hazard they create for the artwork and for other visitors. Children are welcome, but their behavior should be monitored by adult companions.
3. NO PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY. Cameras and video recorders may not be permitted in the museum. ASK FIRST. Flash photography, videography and the use of tripods are almost always prohibited.
4. HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY. Reserved parking, wheel chairs, and elevators are available. Inquire at the front desk for assistance.
5. STUDENT DISCOUNTS. Ask at the front desk if student discounts are available. (Be sure to have you Student ID with you.) Or you can call ahead, to see if the museum offers free admission one day a week. Make sure to keep your ticket/receipt as proof of your visit in case I have questions.