The museum's holdings represent diverse
cultures and constitute the largest collection of international
folk art in the world. The core collection donated by museum
founder Florence Dibell Bartlett of 2,500 objects from 34
countries has grown to over 130,000 objects from more than
100 countries. The museum collection has been shaped in
large part by the generous support of individuals, most
notably Alexander and Susan Girard»
with their gift of 106,000 objects and Lloyd Cotsen's Neutrogena
collection» of
2,600 textiles and objects. Both gifts brought new wings
to the museum for the storage and display of the artwork.
Other significant donations have included
Spanish Colonial art from Charles Carroll and the Cady Wells
Bequest, the Houghton Sawyer collection of historic Mexican
mayólica»
and the Warren Gilbertson collection of Korean and Chinese
ceramics. Gifts of Brazilian folk art from Katarina Real
and James Bert Smith and Beej Nierengarten Smith have enhanced
this collection area. J. Monroe Thorington's donation
contributes to the study of European folk art and the museum
is indebted to the late Else and Joseph Chapman for their
gift of Japanese
woodblock prints».
Also, important collections are occasionally offered for
purchase to the museum. With the assistance of museum foundations,
curators are able to acquire well-documented collections,
such as the Donald Cordry collection of Mexican textiles,
costumes and masks, Judy Frater's textiles from India, and
a collection of African ironwork from Tom Joyce.
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Curators conduct scholarly
research on historic and contemporary collections to document
and interpret the arts and cultures of people from around the
world. When possible, they engage in field research to document
objects and traditions in their cultural contexts that serve
as a basis for interpretive exhibitions and programs. While
conducting field research throughout the world, curators and
consultants have the opportunity to purchase
well-documented collection items. Wherever possible, field research
is conducted with artists and members of the cultures represented
by the art in order to incorporate an "insider's voice"
with that of a scholarly perspective.
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The
museum excels in care of its collections, applying the most
up-to-date practices in collection care and conservation.
A computerized collections management system has been in
place at the museum for 15 years with recent upgrades that
include the matching of digital images to collections records.
An integrated pest management system to monitor collections
utilizes nitrogen anoxia treatments and freezing as preventive
measures. In the conservation laboratory all objects slated
for display in exhibitions are routinely surveyed and receive
conservation treatments, if required.
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