What is an object file? It is a research file dedicated to a Permanent Collection object, created by a docent or guide, containing key contextual and observational points. Suggested questions and activities also are included, as well as sources for researched information. Object files are located under the “Permanent Collection” tab on the menu and are divided by curatorial departments.
To check if an object has a file, type the title or artist, followed by the words “object file” in the search box (For example: Ghirlandaio Object File), or check the updated Table of Contents below:
(Note: The TOC is sorted by Departments (Arts of Africa, AAF; Arts of Americas, AAM; Contemporary Art, CA; China, India, and Southeast Asia, CISA; Decorative Arts, Textiles, and Sculpture, DATS; Japan and Korea, JKA; Paintings, PTGS; Photography and New Media, P&NM; and Prints and Drawings, P&D), and then alpha by title. (OOMs are previously posted Object of the Month files, and these have not been reviewed by staff.)
Object file process: Object files have standard “tags” (words) that allow them to be collated by a site search. We tag all object files as follows: artist (if known), full title, date, material/medium, culture, country, department, object file, and applicable tour topic key words (see tour topic key word list).
Here is the process for creating and posting object research files:
- Open and resave the blank file below on to your computer, renaming it with Artist Name or Culture (if no artist known)_Title of Object (3 to 5 words if long title)_accession #. (Example: Colima_Dog_99.57.3 or Van Gogh_Olive Trees_51.7)
- Fill out the form. (If you have trouble inserting a photo, leave that blank and IPE staff will insert the thumbnail image.) Include your sources for research at the end, with urls for any online sources copied into document next to web page titles/names.
- Submit the object file for review via email to kzumbahlen@artsmia.org (until June 1, 2018). File will be reviewed, tagged, and posted as schedule allows.
Below is the blank form, available in Word or in Pages (for Mac users). Please note the final form returned to IPE staff must be in Word format. (If you use Pages, you must re-save the final file as a Word doc.)
object-file-blank-form (Word)
OR
object-file-blank-form (Pages)
Attached is the tour topic key word list. These are the categories by which your object file will be tagged for later searches. Tag your object with all applicable key words.