Preventive conservation for endangered collections

Smaller institutions in developing countries and beyond continue to struggle with poor resources and limited access to expert advice. Although the available literature has increased and much is today accessible on the internet, proposed methodologies and tools do not respond adequately to the smaller institutions which are often faced with situations which have accumulated and worsened with time. Missions undertaken by ICCROM and UNESCO, coupled with consultation and sample surveys, have demonstrated the need to motivate and build the capacity of those smaller institutions to improve the conditions and use of their collections. ICCROM and UNESCO (Museum and cultural objects sections) entered in partnership in 2007-8 to develop, evaluate (by users) and disseminate methodologies and related didactic tools for the smaller museums. Special attention is given to documentation of collections and storage re-organization.

• Assist smaller institutions in updating their documentation and re-organizing their storage;
• refine didactic tools and methodologies in collaboration with the users, through the creation of web-resources and provision of online support for a year;
• use the developed didactic tools and methodologies in another project (MOSAIKON).

Reorganizing documentation and storage of collections – dissemination and evaluation
In 2010, ICCROM and UNESCO will conclude the third and last phase of the project including the application of the didactic tools and methodologies to three case-studies in different parts of the world. They will create a website where information, resources and tools will be posted. The project will provide online assistance for methodology users over 2011. A meeting of partners will evaluate the collaboration and its outcomes by the end of 2011.

Re-organizing documentation and storage of collections – mosaics in museums
Pending the results of the 2009 feasibility study and the provision of the necessary resources, ICCROM and the Getty Foundation plan to join forces to design and implement two model projects (Middle East, Maghreb) in museums with important collections of lifted mosaics that are at risk. The projects include the re-organization process as well as staff training and public awareness activities. They will be an integral part of MOSAIKON, a joint programme of ICCROM, the Getty Conservation Institute, ICCM, and the Getty Foundation.

updated on: 28 December, 2009