Introduction to Preventive Conservation

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. The workshop equips participants to be able to communicate preventive conservation concepts to collaborators, colleagues and decision-makers. It also provides an introduction to hazards related to working with collections to help keep people safe.

The format is interactive, with facilitated group discussions, activities and individual exercises for participants to apply learned concepts within their institutions. Participants will use the Framework for Preserving Heritage Collections: Strategies for Avoiding or Reducing Damage throughout the workshop and can refer to an annotated list of resources to explore topics in greater detail. Participants are encouraged to share their questions and experiences from within their cultural heritage institution throughout the workshop.

Learning objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• recognize hazards and protect themselves and others so they can work with collections safely
• name the ten agents of deterioration and recognize how they can affect collections
• recognize, identify and describe layers and stages of control for collections
• identify and describe issues or gaps in preventive conservation in their heritage institution
• propose options to solve preventive conservation issues and challenges and begin to think about their impact
• communicate about preventive conservation concepts to collaborators, colleagues and decision-makers

Target audience

This workshop is best suited for participants who:

• have had minimal training or have not yet had training in preventive conservation
• work (paid or volunteer) in a museum, gallery, archives, cultural centre or library
• work with or make decisions that affect collections, or work in spaces with collections

Facilitator

Evelyn Ayre

Language

English

Enrolment limits

Minimum 10, maximum 20

Duration

Two days

Special requirements

The host institution must provide the following:

• A meeting room that can accommodate up to 20 participants
• A projector and projection screen (or white wall)
• A large blank wall onto which learning materials can be temporarily adhered
• A table for demonstration items
• Pre- and post-workshop access to the meeting room to allow for setup and clean up
• Access to a museum, gallery, cultural centre or archives for a tour oriented to preventive conservation (optional)