Workshops
Upcoming Workshops
September 28th -29th
Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN
Registration for this program has closed.
On Demand Workshops
These one-day events can be brought directly to your institution. Contact us for more details and pricing.
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Response: Wet Salvage
Describing What You See: Condition Reports
Art and Artifact Handling (1/2 day)
Testing for Arsenic in Collections
Museum Environments 101
Recent Past Workshops
Instructor: Patrick Kelley, President of Insects Limited, Inc.
Insects and other pests can do irreversible damage to objects of historic and artistic value. Preventing such damage is an essential element of best practice in collection care and requires the design and implementation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy and plan. This workshop will introduce participants to multiples aspects of IPM: policy and procedure; preventing infestation; trapping and monitoring; remedial treatment; basic pest identification. It is designed for small to mid-sized institutions needing to establish or improve an IPM program but would be useful for anyone needing to develop or refresh basic IPM knowledge. This is an in-person workshop.
Lisa Scholten, Museum Consultant
The Collections Management Policy (CMP) is an essential tool for any collecting institution. While each museum’s policy is unique, there are common key components. The CMP incorporates important strategies enabling an institution to act as good stewards of the collection through various preservation activities. This interactive online seminar will look at key policy components including: Scope of Collections, Acquisition, Deaccession, Access, Conservation, Environmental Monitoring, Physical Care, Handling, Exhibition, Insurance, and Record-Keeping. The role of additional policies including Integrated Pest Management, Disaster Response, and Long-Range Conservation Plans will be discussed in relationship to the CMP.
Participants will contribute to exercises during the seminar in addition to independent assignments outside of class that will provide them with the tools to write and implement a policy best for their institution. Participants will have the option to submit a draft policy for feedback and discussion.
*ONLINE* Topic 2: Looking Ahead with a Long-Range Preservation Plan
Nicole Grabow, Director of Preventive Conservation
A Long-Range Preservation Plan (LRPP) will help your institution to prioritize preservation needs and develop concrete goals for the short-, medium-, and long-term. In this 3-session online course participants will draft their own LRPP and learn how to use it to achieve conservation treatment goals and to submit competitive grant proposals for state and federal funding. The course will also focus on key concepts of preventive conservation and how to assess preservation goals at your institution. This workshop includes group participation activities and a recommended 4-6 hours of independent work time outside of class.
*ONLINE* Topic 3: Write (or Re-Write) Your Emergency Plan
Nicole Grabow, Director of Preventive Conservation, and Melissa Amundsen, Assistant Preventive Conservator
This online course will cover the fundamentals of Emergency Preparedness, explain the essential components of a Disaster Plan, and walk participants through the steps to develop a plan for their own organizations. Provisions for both major and minor emergencies will be discussed, as will extended closure, current COVID-19 responses, and how to address a disaster within a larger emergency. Participants will work with a disaster plan template and will customize it for their own needs and risk factors. Each participant will be required to complete an institutional risk assessment questionnaire (time estimate 2-4 hours) and work on their own institution’s plan (time estimate 4-6 hours) between the sessions. They will conclude with a draft of their new Disaster Plan to share with their institution and board.
*ONLINE* Emergency Planning for Performing Arts Organizations
Nicole Grabow, Director of Preventive Conservation, and Melissa Amundsen, Assistant Preventive Conservator
Designed specifically for Performing Arts organizations, artist groups, and venues! This 2-session course will cover the fundamentals of Emergency Preparedness, explain the essential components of an Emergency Plan, and walk participants through the steps to develop a plan for their own organizations. Provisions for both major and minor emergencies will be discussed. Participants will work with an emergency plan template and will customize it for their own needs and risk factors. Each participant will be encouraged to complete a risk assessment questionnaire (time estimate 2-4 hours) and work on their own plan (time estimate 4-6 hours) between the sessions. They will conclude with a draft of their new Emergency Plan to share with their institution and board.
*ONLINE* Writing Grants for Preservation and Conservation Projects
Colin Turner, MACC Executive Director
Prepare for federal, state, regional, and local grant application opportunities. This two-part workshop will teach the essential grant writing strategies to gain funding for preservation and conservation related projects such as: obtaining supplies and materials for the basic re-housing of collections, buying storage upgrades, getting monitoring equipment, receiving a general preservation needs assessment survey, providing staff trainings, and having conservation treatments performed on your art and artifacts.
Learn the prioritized collections care protocol to make sure appropriate projects are developed in a logical progression and with an accompanying funding strategy. Learn how to: conduct an internal review, develop a long-range conservation plan, write an effective proposal, plan and substantiate a budget, and find matching funds. Descriptions and information will be presented on federal grants available from: the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Museum and Library Services; grants available through state agencies in the Midwest; along with funding from private and corporate regional foundations.
*ONLINE* De-Mystifying Environmental Monitoring
Maddie Cooper, Preventive Conservation Fellow
This is a two part online course. Learn how to collect, manage, and use environmental data to make informed decisions about collections care. Providing a safe environment for collections is one of the key tenets of preservation. This is because environmental indicators like temperature and relative humidity have a direct impact on the condition of collections. Cultural institutions are often advised to collect temperature and relative humidity data to monitor the environment. The collection phase of this process is easy. Managing the data and understanding what it is telling you about your spaces is more difficult.
This two-part workshop focuses on de-mystifying the process of environmental data analysis. The workshop is designed for participants who are either already collecting data and would like to learn more about how to use it or are considering implementing an environmental monitoring program. Topics covered will include the following: temperature, relative humidity, dewpoint, monitors, monitoring software, data visualization, and strategies for communicating findings with stakeholders. Each participant will be required to complete a series of Microsoft Excel based data management exercises (2-4 hours) between sessions. Technical requirements: access to Zoom, access to Microsoft Excel, and the ability to carry out basic Excel functions.
*ONLINE* REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM): A project overview
Presenter: Kendra Morgan, Senior Program Manager, OCLC
As the operations in libraries, archives and museums around the world have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for clear information to support the handling of materials has become increasingly urgent. Through the REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Project, OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle are conducting research on how long the virus survives on materials that are prevalent in libraries, archives, and museums. Attend this webinar to learn more about the testing process, how to present results to your stakeholders, project resources to inform your local decisions, and what you can expect from the project in the months to come.
Introduction to the Care of Paintings
Rita Berg, MACC Paintings Conservator
This one-day hands-on workshop will provide an in-depth overview of the methods and materials used in the preservation of paintings. The workshop will begin with an introduction to different types of paintings and their supports, agents of deterioration, identification and understanding of common condition issues, forms of damage, and how to reduce or slow down the risk of deterioration. Discussion will cover handing, storage, and display guidelines, including lighting and environmental considerations. The second half of the day will comprise of demonstrations and hands-on sessions. Emphasis will be placed on safe handling and movement, when surface dusting is appropriate, and framing using appropriate materials. Options for backing boards, shims, hanging hardware, etc. will be demonstrated. Participants will also learn about proper handling and storage of rolled and unstretched canvases.
Identification and Care of Photographic Materials
Amber Kehoe, Photograph & Preventive Conservator
This one-day, introductory workshop will provide an overview of the major photographic processes of the 19thand 20thcenturies, how photographic materials deteriorate, and a 10-point strategic plan for the preservation of photographic collections including proper storage and display, surveys, conservation treatments, digitization, and advocacy. This workshop will incorporate both PowerPoint lecture and hands-on handling with study collection examples. A comprehensive binder of technical information and resources will be provided for each participant in addition to a digital copy of the PowerPoint.