Education
Degree of Bachelor of Science (B Sc)
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, 2010.
Honours Science with minors in Earth Science and Geography
Degree of Bachelor of Education (B Ed)
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, 2011.
Qualified to teach Intermediate/Senior Science and Geography
Certificate in Museum Studies (CMS)
Ontario Museum Association, 2015-2017. (Completed Courses)
Nathan Etherington has been striving to increase his professional development by taking the 9 required courses for a Certificate of Museum Studies through the Ontario Museum Association. Starting in December 2015 with Exhibit Design and Finishing in June with Museums and the Community, Nathan will graduate at the Ontario Museum Association Conference in Kingston in 2017. Examples of the assignments are organized by course (some have multiple assignments and several have multiple files):
Artifacts (Passed with Distinction)
This is the first of two courses which deals with the subject of preventive conservation. The artifact is examined and described in terms of material, manufacture, and condition. Types and causes of deterioration are also identified. Consideration of the environment focuses on phenomena that present themselves as potential hazards to the artifact. Core topics: Introduction to preventive conservation; introduction to the materials (Cellulosic, Proteinaceous, Inorganic); agents of deterioration (light, relative humidity, pollutants, pests, physical forces, dissociation); how to write a condition report, artifact handling, artifact labeling.
This course is the prerequisite for Care of Collections.
Care of Collections (Passed with Distinction)
This course is the second of two courses on the subject of preventive conservation. Participants will acquire the principles and techniques needed to prevent damage to artifacts during storage, display, handling, packing, and shipping. Differentiation between preventive conservation and treatment conservation will be examined, with practical suggestions for dealing with damaged artifacts provided. Core topics: Preventive Conservation/Treatment Conservation/Restoration; safe storage methods; disaster planning; handling collections; safe exhibition methods; packing & shipping artifacts; stable and unstable materials for exhibits and storage; conservation resources; how to hire a conservator; role of the conservator vs. the non-conservator when caring for collections; basic cleaning of paper, textiles, ceramics, wood, glass, leather, fire detection and prevention.
- Care of Collections Final Assignment
- Appendix A – Collections Management Policy
- Appendix B – Conservation Policy
- Appendix C -Disaster Preparedness Plan
- Appendix D – Complete Floor Plans
- Appendix E – Photos
- Appendix F – Staff Emergency Procedures
- Appendix G – evacuation floor plan
- Appendix H – Fire Suppression
- Appendix I – Attic Improvements
Collections Management (Passed with Distinction)
Participants will gain information and skills required to manage acquisitions, disposals, and loans, and to create and maintain the body of documentation which is the infrastructure of the collections. Core topics: Purpose of Collections Management (public trust, activities in collections management, collections policy); planning for collections growth; loans; acquisitions; repatriation; deaccessioning; access & security; fine arts insurance; risk management; appraisals/tax receipts; record keeping including computerized collections data management.
Education Programs (Passed with Distinction –Perfect Mark)
Participants will identify the basic learning principles affecting different groups of museum visitors and will acquire the knowledge required to design and implement education programs for their own museums. Core topics: Interpretation & Education Policy & Standards; programming for the public; the ins & outs of interpretation; learning principles for students K-6; adolescent learners; museums and school curricula; practical program development for museums; teachers & museums; adult education; developing visual literacy skills.
Exhibit Planning and Design
Participants will learn to create vibrant, attractive exhibits that welcome and engage visitors of all ages and abilities. Through hands-on activities, participants will gain an understanding of the exhibit development process from idea assessment and concept development to production and installation on a budget. Core topics: the visitor experience, exhibit policy and standards, planning for families, writing text, showcase styles, physical accessibility, anatomy of a graphics panel, and creative costing, with a focus on creating an effective interpretive plan to guide the process.
Museums and the Community (Passed with Distinction)
Participants will gain the knowledge and skills required to coordinate the objectives and activities of the museum with the specific needs of its communities. The course looks at the historical contexts that gave rise to museums in Canada and the rapidly changing social, political and cultural environments in which they now exist. The course is designed to look at a wide range of issues facing museums in their search for audiences and support. Emphasis will be placed on finding practical solutions. Core topics: relationships between Canadian museums and their communities in a rapidly-changing social, political and cultural environment re: programming, audience development and fundraising; tools and practical solutions to negotiate support from potential sponsors and to communicate effectively with target audiences.
Museums in Context
Participants are introduced to the social history and development of museums through an exploration of a series of themes and contexts. These include: The Historical Context (museum origins; Towards a Contemporary Definition of “Museum”), The Professional Context (Changing Nature of the Museum Workforce; Tools to Support Professionalism), The Social Context (Museums & Forces of Change, Envisioning the Future of Museums). Assignment 1 was ongoing engagement throughout the online course
Museums in Historic Buildings (Passed)
Participants will acquire the knowledge and techniques required to manage a museum within the context of an historic building, and to care for the historic building as an artifact. The objective of this course is to familiarize participants with the activities and concerns involved in the careful conservation of the historic building, particularly as they relate to the building’s use as a museum. Core topics: researching a building, the historic building as artifact, planning museum space & system needs, realizing a capital project, museum as a public facility, maintenance of building and grounds, programming the historic building.
- Facility Management Final Assignment
- Appendix A – Maintenance Manual
- Appendix B – Completed Maintenance Form
- Appendix C – Brantford Heritage Inventory
Organization and Management of Museums
Participants will acquire an understanding of the objectives of museum and gallery management and how to apply these to the administration of museums and galleries in Canada. Through readings, lectures, case studies, group projects and classroom discussion, course participants will develop skills required for effective museum and gallery management. Core topics: Museum management; museum organization; strategic management; human resources – paid and volunteer; financial resources; information management; current issues and strategies in managing community museums.