Reunion
Weekend and Conference
"Educated at Winterthur: A Half Century of Achievement"
September 21-22, 2001
Keynote Address
The Winterthur Programs,
'51 to '01: Are We There Yet?
by
Charles F. Hummel (WPEAC '55)
(as
presented on September 21, 2001)
|
(page 11) 3. Outreach: Because of tight budgets at both institutions, a number of activities and experiences that brought Fellows into contact with the material culture world outside Winterthur, and that brought the viewpoints of the World beyond Winterthur to the Museum and University, have been discontinued. Not because they were no longer useful, but because when push came to shove, the energy and desire to obtain funding to continue them was lacking. We can no longer ignore what is happening at other universities and museums training professionals. One of the strengths of WUDPAC, developed within a few years of its start in 1974, was the formation of annual student conferences, with hosts rotating between the three U.S. programs and the program at Queens College in Canada. WUDPAC Fellows have benefited from the knowledge and viewpoints offered by students trained elsewhere. Networking has been fostered, therefore, not only among WUDPAC Fellows but also with students who will be future professional colleagues. The best student papers offered at these conferences are placed on the program of AIC's annual meeting, thus informing professionals of the quality of student work and submitting teaching in the programs to the oversight of working, experienced professionals. WPEAC should consider initiating annual student conferences that might include training programs at Cooperstown, Yale, Boston University, George Washington University, and William and Mary or others deemed appropriate. During the first three years of WPEAC, a visiting scholar program brought Fellows into contact with such stalwarts as Carl Bridenbaugh, George Constable, Louise Dresser, Anthony Garvan, Henry Russell Hitchcock, Richard Howland, Michael Kraus, Helmut von Erffa, Kenneth Murdock, Charles Nagel, John Marshall Phillips, Edgar Richardson, Edgar Wind, Rudolf Wittkower, and Louis B. Wright. The Delaware Seminar at the University brings many distinguished scholars, but the selection more often than not meets criteria and needs of University departments--as they should, because the University provides the funding that makes that program possible. WUDPAC brings visiting scholar expertise to its Fellows each year, exposing students to the latest scientific and treatment knowledge relating to art conservation. WPEAC needs to revive a visiting scholar program. Another casualty of budget-cutting was the elimination of Winterthur's Scientific Advisory Committee. From 1969 until the 1980s, the leading industrial, university and museum scientists in the U.S. met once or twice a year at Winterthur to present papers on cutting-edge scientific technology with applications to analysis of art objects; consider technical problems encountered by conservators with materials being used for treatment of objects, review activities and programs of the Analytical Laboratory, and provide a window to the world of science related to art objects for any and all of Winterthur's staff and students who cared about such things. Winterthur benefited enormously not only from the specific meeting, but also from the ability to obtain advice and direction on such matters throughout the year with a telephone call or letter. Outreach can be a consideration as well in the internal affairs of Winterthur and the University. Gary Kulik is concerned that the Academic Affairs Committee that reports to the Board of Trustees and has oversight of Winterthur's co-sponsored programs has become increasingly an outside observers group, thus isolating itself from more trustee involvement. Although not deliberate, the Advanced Studies Section is perceived as insular and not concerned about outreach to other Divisions and Offices at Winterthur. Museum/University
collegiality, while not a problem of principle, is a problem
of degree. Professor Ritchie Garrison and Pauline Eversmann
collaborate on the planning and implementation of the WPEAC
Summer Institute, the orientation course for first-year
Fellows. At one time, WUDPAC Fellows also participated in
the orientation but other needs took precedence. Joyce Hill
Stoner holds an adjunct appointment at Winterthur in
paintings conservation and both Deborah Hess Norris and Jim
Curtis spend a good deal of time at Winterthur. But few
Winterthur staff and Fellows attend University functions and
few University staff attend Winterthur functions. There need
to be more opportunities for students and faculty involved
in the three graduate programs to meet, not for social
reasons, but for discussion, dialogue, cross-teaching, and
training. Exchange of faculty to teach courses at the
University and Museum should be explored. |
|
