Learning activities
On this page
- Advanced professional development workshops
- In-person workshops
- Online learning activities
- Cancellations
The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN) share conservation knowledge on a range of conservation-related topics, such as collections care, preventive conservation and collections management, by offering learning activities to the heritage community.
The list below is regularly updated to reflect our current and upcoming activities.
Advanced professional development workshops
CCI and CHIN’s advanced professional development (APD) workshops provide in-depth instruction on a specific topic with a strong focus on practical application. APD workshops typically aim to reach mid-career heritage workers; however, the target audience can vary depending on the topic.
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Characterization of Modern Metals in Heritage Collections
- Description
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Aluminum alloys, stainless and weathering steels and metallic coatings have been used for over a century in art and design and are now an important part of cultural heritage. Nevertheless, the lack of technical specifications or recommendations for surface finishing and handling of these metals invariably lead to their premature deterioration. This workshop will help participants better understand modern metals, which is essential to their long-term care and preservation.
Full “Characterization of Modern Metals in Heritage Collections” APD description
- Facilitators
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Virginia Costa and Maeve Moriarty
- Language
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English
- Cost
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Four-day option: CAN$1000 (plus additional fees for XRF spectrometer operator certification)
Three-day option: CAN$750
- Dates
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Four-day option: September 22 to 25, 2025
Three-day option: September 23 to 25, 2025
- Location
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Canadian Conservation Institute
1030 Innes Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1B 4S7 - Registration
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Apply for “Characterization of Modern Metals in Heritage Collections.” We strongly recommend that you read the full “Characterization of Modern Metals in Heritage Collections” APD description before you apply.
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Multi-Stick Fill (Stäbchenergänzung) Technique for Loss Compensation
- Description
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Developed in Germany, the Stäbchenergänzung (multi-stick fill) technique for loss compensation has been used in wooden objects conservation for the past 30 years. This online APD will give conservators the opportunity to explore, discuss and practise this technique. In a live virtual setting, the facilitators will demonstrate the technique and discuss how it can be used in treatments. Participants will carry out practical exercises between the facilitator-led virtual modules, during which time there will be opportunities for discussion and questions.
Full “Multi-Stick Fill (Stäbchenergänzung) Technique for Loss Compensation” APD description
- Facilitators
- Languages
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English and French
- Cost
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$100
- Dates
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English: January 14, February 11 and March 11, 2026
French: January 28, February 25 and March 25, 2026
- Location
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Online
- Registration
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Apply for “Multi-Stick Fill (Stäbchenergänzung) Technique for Loss Compensation.” We strongly recommend that you read the full “Multi-Stick Fill (Stäbchenergänzung) Technique for Loss Compensation” APD description before you apply.
In-person workshops
In-person workshops are hosted by various regional partners across Canada. Once hosts are selected for each of the workshops listed below, the location will be provided. The workshops offered in any given year may vary based on staff expertise and availability.
Find out more about hosting an in-person workshop.
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Care of Objects
- Description
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This workshop is designed as an introduction to the care of mixed collections for staff and volunteers. Topics covered include the structure and properties of various organic and inorganic materials, how and why these materials change and how to document and manage change.
- Facilitator
- Language
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English
- Dates
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November 26 and 27, 2025
- Location
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Powell River, British Columbia
- Registration
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To register, please contact:
Ava Hansen
qathet Museum & Archives Society
programs@qathetmuseum.ca
604-485-2222
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Digital Photodocumentation of Museum Objects
- Description
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This workshop explains how to digitally photograph museum objects to meet conservation and documentation requirements. It includes information on how to choose proper photographic equipment, the various types of digital cameras and how they function, different light sources and how they influence colour, assorted lighting techniques and how to set up a digital workflow.
Full “Digital Photodocumentation of Museum Objects” workshop description
- Facilitators
- Language
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English
Session 1
- Dates
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June 17 and 18, 2025
- Location
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Southampton, Ontario
- Registration
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To register, please contact:
Matthew Weickert
Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre
MWeickert@brucecounty.on.ca
226-909-2840
Session 2
- Dates
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October 15 and 16, 2025
- Location
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St. John’s, Newfoundland
- Registration
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To register, please contact:
Anne Madden
Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
membership@museumsnl.ca
709-722-9034
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Introduction to Preventive Conservation
- Description
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This workshop introduces participants to preventive conservation. It prepares participants to recognize how collections can be adversely affected by the ten agents of deterioration and advises how to protect against these agents in a thoughtful way that balances collection use with access.
Full “Introduction to Preventive Conservation” workshop description
- Facilitator
- Language
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English
- Dates
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November 19 and 20, 2025
- Location
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Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
- Registration
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To register, please contact:
Hope La Farge
Heritage Collections Program, Government of Nunavut
HLaFarge@gov.nu.ca
613-532-4260
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Mount-making
- Description
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This workshop mixes theory and practice to offer a balanced foundation in mount-making. Facilitators will cover design criteria, materials selection, fabrication techniques and tools with an emphasis on ensuring the safety of your object. Participants will have the chance to produce between one and three mounts.
- Facilitators
- Language
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English
Session 1
- Dates
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November 18 and 19, 2025
- Location
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Kingston, Ontario
- Registration
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To register, please contact:
Jamie McKenzie-Naish
Kingston and Area Association of Museums, Galleries and Historic Sites
managing.director@kingstonmuseums.ca
613-507-4014
Session 2
- Dates
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March 16 and 17, 2026
- Location
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Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Registration
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To register, please contact:
Heather Beerling
Association of Manitoba Museums
conservator@museumsmanitoba.com
204-482-8581
Online learning activities
CCI and CHIN are currently offering the following online learning activities, which cover a variety of conservation-related topics, such as collections care, preventive conservation and collections management. The activities offered in any given year may vary based on staff expertise and availability. All activities listed below are offered at no cost.
We offer a number of options for online learning:
- Online workshops: Highly interactive sessions designed to help with a specific issue within a heritage institution. Participants are given the opportunity to share, collaborate and problem-solve with colleagues across the heritage community. Participants will also be expected to complete activities between sessions. Registration is limited to between 10 and 20 participants.
- Webinars: Interactive sessions designed to increase participants’ knowledge of a certain heritage-related topic. Registration is limited to between 25 and 40 participants.
- Webcasts: Informational presentations designed to introduce participants to a new tool, topic or method. Webcasts include an optional question and answer period. Registration is limited to 80 participants.
- Self-paced online courses: Courses (without a live facilitator) designed to be accessed at any time and completed at the participants’ own pace.
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Introduction to the RE-ORG Method
- Activity type
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Webcast
- Description
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The RE-ORG method for storage reorganization is a step-by-step approach to assist small to medium-sized heritage institutions in regaining access to their collections in storage and engage their community. RE-ORG was developed by ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) with the support of UNESCO and adapted for distance learning in collaboration with CCI. This 45-minute webcast will present an overview of the RE-ORG method, answer common questions and share useful resources with participants interested in learning more about RE-ORG.
Upon completion of this webcast, participants will be able to:
- identify the main steps involved in the RE-ORG method
- know how to access additional resources about the RE-ORG method
- Facilitator
- Languages
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English and French
- Cost
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Free
- Dates and times
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English: April 23, 2025, 1:30 pm (ET) to 2:15 pm (ET)
French: April 23, 2025, 2:45 pm (ET) to 3:30 pm (ET)
- Registration
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Registration closed
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Response Ready: Developing an Emergency Plan for Heritage Institutions
- Activity type
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Online workshop
- Description
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Through the seven sessions of this online workshop, you will explore the objectives of an emergency response and the key components for creating a plan tailored to heritage institutions. The workshop provides an engaging and interactive learning experience that helps you prepare or update your emergency plan. You will receive a template to guide your plan development and, with the support of experts and peers, create a plan suited to your institution’s needs. Additionally, you will also learn how to test your plan using simple tabletop exercises.
- Facilitator
- Language
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English
- Cost
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Free
- Dates and times
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Session 1: September 17, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:30 pm (ET)
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Session 2: October 1, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:30 pm (ET)
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Session 3: October 15, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:30 pm (ET)
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Session 4: October 29, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:30 pm (ET)
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Session 5: November 12, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:30 pm (ET)
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Session 6: November 26, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:30 pm (ET)
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Session 7: December 10, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:30 pm (ET)
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- Registration
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The application period opens on June 17, 2025.
Anyone can apply to attend this online workshop. However, priority will be given to members of the heritage community based in Canada who are responsible for writing and implementing an emergency plan.
Applicants will be notified of whether they have been accepted for the workshop by August 29, 2025. A waiting list will be established once the maximum number of participants has been reached.
Applicants can apply as a team of up to three people from the same institution.
Apply for “Response Ready: Developing an Emergency Plan for Heritage Institutions.”
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Exhibit Lighting Basics
- Activity type
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Webcast
- Description
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This one-hour webcast introduces fundamental concepts of light damage and exposure control in the display of heritage objects. Designed for heritage workers who are new to exhibit lighting concepts, it provides an essential understanding of light-related risks and practical mitigation strategies.
Upon completion of this webcast, participants will be able to:
- understand some of the main risks associated with illuminating objects
- identify practical strategies to minimize damage
- Facilitator
- Language
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English
- Cost
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Free
- Date and time
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October 23, 2025, from 1:00 pm (ET) to 2:00 pm (ET)
- Registration
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The registration period opens on June 17, 2025.
This webcast is open to all. However, priority will be given to members of the heritage community based in Canada.
If you are already familiar with light management in the display of heritage objects, please refer to the webinar “Exhibit Lighting: Beyond the Basics.”
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Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging: Your Questions Answered
- Activity type
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Webcast
- Description
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Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging is a standard for classifying and naming objects in cultural collections. This one-hour webcast will use real-world examples to answer frequently asked questions and present recent updates on Nomenclature for Museum Cataloguing. Prior to the webcast, registered participants will be invited to submit questions, which will be addressed during the session.
Upon completion of this webcast, participants will:
- be able to identify common cataloging issues
- be aware of recent updates to Nomenclature for Museum Cataloguing and understand how they might apply to their own collections management system
- know how to access additional resources about Nomenclature for Museum Cataloguing
- Facilitators
- Languages
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English and French
- Cost
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Free
- Dates and times
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English: October 28, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 2:30 pm (ET)
French: November 4, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 2:30 pm (ET)
- Registration
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The registration period opens on June 17, 2025.
This webcast is open to all. However, priority will be given to members of the heritage community based in Canada.
Prior to attending this webcast, we recommend that participants view the video series “Classification and naming of objects in museum collections.”
Register for “Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging: Your Questions Answered” in English.
Register for “Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging: Your Questions Answered” in French.
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Kickstart Your RE-ORG Project
- Activity type
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Online workshop
- Description
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This two-part workshop is designed to assist those working in heritage institutions to lead their own RE-ORG project. Starting RE-ORG projects can be daunting. In this workshop, we will explore the common challenges faced when you are beginning a new RE-ORG project, answer your questions about the RE-ORG method and review examples of how to overcome obstacles.
During this workshop, participants will:
- practise problem solving and visualizing the potential of a space by using examples
- explore ways to adapt a RE-ORG project according to available resources
- discuss strategies to advocate for RE-ORG projects to stakeholders
- Facilitator
- Languages
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English and French
- Cost
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Free
- Dates and times
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English: October 30 and November 6, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:00 pm (ET)
French: November 13 and 20, 2025, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:00 pm (ET)
- Registration
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The application period opens on June 17, 2025.
Anyone can apply to attend this online workshop. However, priority will be given to members of the heritage community based in Canada who are planning to implement a RE-ORG project.
Applicants will be notified of whether they have been accepted for the workshop by August 29, 2025. A waiting list will be established once the maximum number of participants has been reached.
Please note that for this workshop the number of participants is limited to one per institution.
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Exhibit Lighting: Beyond the Basics
- Activity type
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Webinar
- Description
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This webinar series is delivered in three 90-minute sessions and explores museum and gallery lighting through three key topics: the characteristics of light sources, the art of balancing rate of damage with visibility and the use of measurement tools. Examples from recent CCI research projects are included to illustrate concepts related to material damage. The series is intended for heritage workers seeking a more in-depth understanding of issues related to exhibit lighting.
Upon completion of this series, participants will be able to:
- identify the characteristics of light sources and their impact on colour perception and preservation
- assess a material’s light sensitivity while considering its damage history
- select strategies for balancing preservation with collection display
- recognize light measurement instrumentation, material testing methods and emerging risk assessment tools
- Facilitator
- Language
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English
- Cost
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Free
- Dates and times
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January 27, February 3 and 10, 2026, from 1:30 pm (ET) to 3:00 pm (ET)
- Registration
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The application period opens on October 17, 2025.
Anyone can apply to attend this webinar. However, priority will be given to members of the heritage community based in Canada who are already familiar with light management in the display of heritage objects.
Applicants will be notified of whether they have been accepted for the webinar by December 19, 2025. A waiting list will be established once the maximum number of participants has been reached.
If you are not already familiar with light management but would like to learn more about exhibit lighting, please refer to the webcast “Exhibit Lighting Basics.”
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Still Image Digitization for Heritage Institutions
- Activity type
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Online Workshop
- Description
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This online workshop is delivered in four two-hour sessions. It is designed for workers or volunteers in cultural heritage institutions who are seeking basic training on scanning practices and standards for reflective objects and small transparencies. Topics include digital imaging concepts, equipment and materials selection, verification of specifications claimed by vendors, software selection and use, general considerations for archiving and publishing, digitization workflow, project planning and project management. This workshop adheres to the Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative’s (FADGI) technical guidelines.
Full “Still Image Digitization for Heritage Institutions” online workshop description
- Facilitator
- Languages
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English and French
- Cost
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Free
- Dates and times
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English: February 17 and 24, March 3 and 10, 2026, from 1:00 pm (ET) to 3:00 pm (ET)
French: February 19 and 26, March 5 and 12, 2026, from 1:00 pm (ET) to 3:00 pm (ET)
- Registration
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The application period opens on October 17, 2025.
Anyone can apply to attend this online workshop. However, priority will be given to members of the heritage community based in Canada who are planning a digitization project.
Applicants will be notified of whether they have been accepted for the workshop by December 19, 2025. A waiting list will be established once the maximum number of participants has been reached.
You can apply individually or as a team of two people from the same institution.
Apply for “Still Image Digitization for Heritage Institutions” in English.
Apply for “Still Image Digitization for Heritage Institutions” in French.
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Museum Collections Documentation and Data Cleaning
- Activity type
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Self-paced online course
- Description
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This course covers a variety of topics related to collections documentation and data cleaning. It consists of seven modules:
- Introduction to the documentation of heritage collections
- Introduction to clean data for museums
- Establishing a documentation policy and plan
- Data entry: preventing errors in new data
- Data cleanup and reconciliation: identifying and fixing errors in existing data
- Data migration: migrating or merging data from another system
- How to solve documentation problems
The course provides essential museum documentation information for museum staff at all knowledge levels. It begins with an introductory overview and ends by exploring specific documentation issues. Learners have the flexibility to complete all modules sequentially or select individual modules that best suit their needs.
- Languages
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English and French
- Cost
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Free
- Access course
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The course “Museum Collections Documentation and Data Cleaning” is open to all and offered on a platform developed jointly with Athabasca University.
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Preservation Housekeeping for Heritage Sites and Small Museums
- Activity type
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Self-paced online course
- Description
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This course covers a variety of topics related to preservation housekeeping with an emphasis on small institutions and heritage sites. The course consists of six main sections:
- How to clean
- Ten agents of deterioration
- Keeping house
- Housekeeping plan
- Walkarounds
- Health and safety
The preservation of heritage sites and museums is an essential area of knowledge for all staff and volunteers working in heritage institutions. Therefore, this course aims to provide introductory knowledge and tools on this topic.
- Languages
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English and French
- Cost
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Free
- Access course
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The course “Preservation Housekeeping for Heritage Sites and Small Museums” is offered on a platform developed jointly with Athabasca University.
Cancellations
Please note that CCI and CHIN reserve the right to cancel an online or in-person learning activity if the minimum enrolment requirement is not met.
To receive email updates about online and in-person learning activities, please subscribe to CCI’s eNews and CHIN’s eNews. You can also follow us on Facebook.
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