Comments on: Costume Collection Q & A

By: Kevin Stayton

Kevin Stayton — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:48:51 +0000

We hope that this project can serve as a model for others, so we will share as much information as we can with colleagues who are doing research. I will contact you by email to find out more about your specific questions.

By: Christine Vittorino

Christine Vittorino — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 13:32:33 +0000

I am curious to know if information as to the specific agreement–such details pertaining to who manages loan decisions for the collection and conservation costs–would be available for the private and academic research?

Thank you.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 04:14:58 +0000

most important works from that collection were beautifully photographed and catalogued during our review process, and they will be available soon on ARTstor, a nonprofit digital library resource whose one million images are available through libraries, including those at universities, colleges and museums.

By: matt nathanson music fan

matt nathanson music fan — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:23:15 +0000

Great, thanks for posting!

By: Kevin Stayton

Kevin Stayton — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:07:53 +0000

Hi Steve,

I am pleased to say that very soon the public will have access to a portion of the costumes from the Brooklyn Museum Collection at the Metropolitan Museum. The 4,000 most important works from that collection were beautifully photographed and catalogued during our review process, and they will be available soon on ARTstor, a nonprofit digital library resource whose one million images are available through libraries, including those at universities, colleges and museums. For more information about ARTstor, you can visit their site at http://www.artstor.org. The people at ARTstor tell me that the Brooklyn costume material is next in the queue for launch.

We can also direct you to the material that is, after review, being deaccessioned and sold by mutual agreement between the Brooklyn Museum and the Metropolitan Museum. The costume material that is considered inappropriate to retain for the collection because it duplicates other material, has condition problems, or other issues, is being sold over time by Karen Augusta Auctions. If you keep an eye on upcoming auctions at that gallery, you will find material from this collection. You can find them at http://www.augusta-auctions.com.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:55:39 +0000

Does anyone know if there’s a searchable database of designers for the Costume Collection, or any catalog info for the upcoming auction?
Thanks, S

By: Debty

Debty — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:57:40 +0000

Ahaan… I will follow.

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:16:42 +0000

Hear Hear AJM.

Why did the BROOKLYN Museum of Art not let anyone know they were in negotiations to drop part of their collection?

I, for one, am appalled.

I can’t believe that no notice or open discussion wa sheld. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES shoud any high quality/stature items be taken form Brooklyn to Manhattan.

Enough of this dumbing down of the museum.

By: Kevin Stayton

Kevin Stayton — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:33:02 +0000

I understand your reluctance to see the costume collection leave the Brooklyn Museum, but the fact is, the grant money you mention would only be a fraction of the amount required to retain, preserve, and program the costume collection for the long term. As generous as the grant was, its intention was only to inventory, catalogue, and photograph the collection, not to address its long-term needs. The collaboration we have established insures that the collection will have the advantage of state-of-the-art storage and care, and also be available for all of the exhibition needs of the Brooklyn Museum. As museums face the challenges of a new century, both the care of existing collections, and the presentation of those collections to the public become major focuses of our mission. It will be necessary for museums to avoid competition, and embrace cooperation in order to meet these challenges. We believe this collaboration serves as a model for that approach.