Microcosms

microcosms2The goal of the Microcosms Project is to develop a systematic survey and analysis of all of the material collections held by the UC system. We currently estimate the formal collections of the university to contain more than 150,000,000 objects and specimens and to have an approximate replacement value in excess of $40 billion, making it at least equal in scale to the Smithsonian Institution. This form of collections level database is unique and will serve as an essential tool in drafting, for the first time, a policy paper on the future of these valuable resources for the University of California and the state.

Current focus:
10.19.06 –In October, the Microcosms team held an orientation for graduate student researchers from UC Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Santa Cruz and Davis. These GSRs will be conducing on-site interviews to assertain the scope of objects contained in the museums and libraries of their respective universities.

View announcements relating to Microcosms.

People:

  • Bruce Robertson, Department of History of Art, UC Santa Barbara
  • Mark Meadow, Department of History of Art, UC Santa Barbara
  • Rosemary Joyce, Department of Anthropology, UC Berkeley
  • Michael Ashley
  • Noah Wittman

Organizations:

  • Open Knowledge and the Public Interest