Renowned University Expert Examines Collecting and Collections 

Russell Belk, Distinguished Research Professor and Kraft Foods Canada Chair in Marketing at York  University in Toronto, Ontario, will present Collecting and Collections from 10:30 am to noon on  Saturday, April 27. The Zoom presentation is being hosted by the Global Village Museum of Arts and  Cultures.  

“It has been estimated that one out of every three people collect something,” said Dr. Belk. “If we  include the collections of photos, music, and apps on our smart phones, the prevalence of collecting is  much broader. What role do collections play in our lives, families, and communities? What do we  collect, and what does that say about us? How does collecting transform the objects, and how does  collecting change us? 

“There is evidence that collections began in prehistoric times.” Dr. Belk added. “Objects are accumulated by rich and poor, and a museum is also a collector. But what happens when objects like books, music, and art become digital? Given online access to museum collections, do these institutions  still need physical objects?” 

Dr. Belk is the author of more than 800 journal articles and books as well as the recipient of numerous  awards. In the announcement of his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Dr. Belk was described as a world leader in his field as well as one of the founders of Consumer Culture Theory. 

The presentation is in conjunction with the Museum’s Main Gallery exhibit, Collections: Unexpected  Treasures, which runs through May 25. Tickets are $5 per Zoom registration, and reservations are required by 5 pm Thursday, April 25, at globalvillagemuseum.org. Registrants will receive the Zoom link the day before the program. 

The Global Village Museum is located at 200 West Mountain Avenue, and Museum hours are 11 am to  5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, please visit globalvillagemuseum.org or call  970-221-4600.