American Institute for Conservation & Foundation for Advancement in Conservation’s Post

Come and join us for our second knowledge exchange!!! (2 out of 5) Conservation for digitisation (online event) 28 February 2024 (11am – 1pm) The National Archives is working with Victoria Stevens ACR to develop basic conservation guidance for archive professionals without specialist conservation knowledge. To inform the development of the guidance, between February and March 2024, we will run 5 online knowledge exchanges (2 hours each) for conservation professionals on the following topics. During this knowledge exchange, a panel of conservators will explore topics related to conservation for digitisation including: why are we doing it, who for and how, and how do you advocate for conservation within the process decision making from the conservator how you manage relationships with different stakeholders in a digitisation project the breadth of digitisation projects This knowledge exchange will include introductions from the panel followed by a Q&A session. This event is for conservators only and will not be suitable for archivists or other archive professionals. Find out more and register to attend the knowledge exchange on conservation for digitisation! https://lnkd.in/eJ3dcSBn

Thrilled to Announce My Latest Publication! Last year, I was approached by The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works to submit a letter to the editor for their magazine, News In Conservation. The process was delayed by a few health hiccups (thanks to my disability), but I am excited to share that my submission has finally been published: "What Does Success Look Like in Conservation? Weaning the Profession Off the White Colonial Project." In this article, I explore: ·     How museums could look if they genuinely engaged with the communities they serve. ·     The tendency of museum professionals to turn to academic institutions to measure the success of their careers or as I lovingly described in my first edit ‘suckling on the teat of the institution’ ·     The benefits of a culturally safe profession and industry, one in which professionals measure their success from their benefit to the communities they serve. After a decade of striving for change in the industry, I left the profession, drained of emotional energy. However, I hope I still find moments in my free time to continue to write in areas of interest. Getting this submission over the line was challenging, and I am grateful to everyone who helped with the editing process. I made some truly wonderful friends in the industry—people who continue to help me fight and survive in a society that is designed to crush anyone different. Read the full article here: News In Conservation, Issue 102, June-July 2024. https://lnkd.in/g7j4WF-7 #Museum #Conservation #CulturalHeritage #antiracism #Inclusion #Diversity

How is the mold risk at your museum? What about the relative humidity as related to environmental monitoring for collections preservation? If these questions and questions like these send you into a YouTube spiral, we hope you'll consider joining us for a one-day workshop on March 28 to understand and assess preservation environments for cultural heritage collections with Jeremy Linden, Principal, Linden Preservation Services, Inc, in conjunction with New England Museum Association. 🥼🔬🖼🧫🌡 Professionals in facilities and collections care roles working in museums, historic sites, galleries, public libraries, and universities will benefit from this opportunity to learn about how building environments affect the things that they care for and what we can do make improvements. This workshop will focus specifically on the challenges faced by small to mid-size institutions, with examples geared toward environmental conditions and common building types in coastal New England. The goal is to provide participants with an overview of the most updated information available regarding environmental management for collections preservation, and will be based on published work from the Image Permanence Institute, the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and Canadian Conservation Institute as well as the presenter’s own practice. https://lnkd.in/dy5p7BW6

More neglect to what we have, what makes us unique and near and dear to so many Ontarians/Torontonians for changes no one asked for or wanted. Instead of investing in what we have and prolonging the life when and where possible the Government is simply focused on expanding and development. How could we ever manage an even larger more expansive list of municipalities if we can't even provide for the ones we already have? There is no good reason to destroy and relocate this historic building. "Despite very real financial challenges, renovation of the current building is both more environmentally and socially responsible and considerably cheaper than building the proposed new, smaller facility at Ontario Place." "The Ontario Science Centre is unique among cultural attractions globally, being located in the heart of a growing, youthful, and diverse community. The resulting relationship has strengthened both the Centre and the communities of Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park. These communities deserve better. In its new location, the Centre will be a kilometer or more from any community. The government is planning to destroy one of the world’s best science museums and an Ontario icon. If you google “Top Ten science museums in the world”, the OSC will appear in this list." I have many happy memories of going there on school trips, my first day with my now wife, etc... This is a place for so many to learn about the incredible and priceless world of science and to learn and ask questions. No wonder they want it removed... more shameful and despicable behaviour from the sick and twisted. Please use your voice, silence is so empowering. https://lnkd.in/gf3bpdKy

How do we start to tackle defining green? First - let's see where we're at as conservators. Is there an existing definition? How are conservators currently using "green"? What is the understanding of "green" - does it mean different things to different people? Why? Let's hit the books and see what the literature says. Next we take a look at other fields. Who has successfully defined "green" and how did they do that? What definitions are relevant, applicable, and interesting for us? Are there any frameworks we need to consider? Once we have some inspiration, let's put it into the conservation context. we know that conservation is unique and has many more variables and considerations compared to other fields. So what is important to us? How do we outline the various aspects of "greenness" for conservation? Finally, once we have some words on paper, it's time for co-creation! Green conservation is something we all strive for, and therefore it's something we need consensus on. To ensure that we are working together as a sector toward a more sustainable future - we must all agree what green means. And this inclusive process will continue so stay tuned to see how you can get involved! Continue to follow along for details on this process and more! #defininggreen #greenconservation #horizoneurope #museums #artconservation #art #green #CoCreation

The SAVE WHIM MUSEUM Advocacy Group is thrilled to announce that Estate Whim Museum (where I was proud to be their Executive Director for several years) has been chosen as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2024 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation The National Trust for Historic Preservation unveiled their 37th annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, shining a light on some of the nation’s greatest cultural treasures and the threats facing them.   This year’s list exemplifies the National Trust’s continued commitment to telling the full American story, with a diverse array of sites both inside and outside the continental United States. These places mirror the complexities, challenges, and opportunities that have always been part of what it means to be American—and each have stories that are deserving of attention and care.    So far over 350 places have been listed over the life of the program, and only a handful have been lost. Estate Whim Museum, Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands  Established during the colonization of St. Croix by Denmark, Estate Whim was a plantation producing cotton and sugar for export. The lives and legacies of those enslaved by plantation owners and those who continued to labor there for meager wages for a century after emancipation are inextricably tied to the site, which now hosts a museum, library and archives, and public programming. Repeated hurricanes have damaged many of Estate Whim Museum’s historic buildings and structures, and the site steward needs support and resources to move forward with repairs. https://lnkd.in/e-wKAFYG  

"Living as an artist has been a consistent activator in my work. As scientists, we have advanced so much in our knowledge and understanding, but we are still uncovering and seeking more. We are still asking questions. We are still discovering new ideas and even species. Art acts as a tool for both explained and unexplained truths; it reels us in over time as we attempt to fish out its true meaning." Communication can take many forms, but it's especially rewarding when we find an authentic and fulfilling way to share our purpose with others. In our latest post Wilburforce Leader, La' Portia Perkins, shares how music and poetry have helped them express and expand their interests in life science and environmental issues and their journey into their own identity. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gNcJFCaw

Pleased to see Visual Studies Imagining the City special issue come out. Part 2 includes critical visual approaches to understand complexities & contradictions of the city and is edited by Brian Doucet and Geoff de Verteuil. My open access article focuses on urban research in film using walking tours & psychogeographic approaches. https://lnkd.in/gsrAKpS5

🎙 Check out this WONDERFUL article about WRVS 89.9FM presented by the NEDCC | Northeast Document Conservation Center.

An excellent overview of the approaches, examination methods and outcomes of contemporary paintings conservation at the National Museum of Cardiff.