A Collections Management Policy is a core document for any collecting institution that governs the legal and ethical requirements of the institution’s collecting practices and collections care. Writing a policy for the first time or updating a policy can be overwhelming due to the complexities of constantly changing legal and ethical requirements. Utilizing multiple teaching tools, including readings, podcasts, videos, and discussions, this course will guide participants through the development process of their Collections Management Policy. Additionally, this course will draw participant’s attention to the protection provided by a carefully written Collections Management Policy from unlawful or unethical decision making. At the end of the program, participants should feel confident to edit an existing Collections Management Policy or write a new one with a focus on those collections-related law and ethics that impact our ability to care for, use, and manage collections.

Course Outline

Session 1

• Date: September 17, 2024
• Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
• Topic: The first session of this course will focus on the different ways objects can be acquired and how the title of ownership passes to the museum.

Session 2

• Date: September 19, 2024
• Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET 
• Topic: The second session of the course will be diving deeper into special laws and ethics that can impact acquisition methods and quality of title, such as copyright or questionable provenance. 

Session 3

• Date: September 24, 2024
• Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
• Topic: The third session will move on to non-title holding acquisitions, such as loans and temporary custody. 

Session 4

• Date: September 26, 2024
• Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
• Topic: We will conclude the course with the fourth session on how to dispose of, or deaccession, objects no longer wanted by the museum. 

*Please note: All meetings will be conducted using Zoom Meeting. 

Coordinator/Instructor

Rebecca Kennedy has collaborated with diverse collections and cultural institutions to elevate the preservation and management of collections. Following the completion of an MA in Museum Studies from The George Washington University, Rebecca dedicated eleven years to preservation and collections management at the Smithsonian Institution before founding Curae Collections, LLC in 2018.

Rebecca contributes actively to committees within the American Institute for Conservation (AIC), American Alliance of Museums (AAM), and Association of Registrars and Collections Specialist (ARCS), demonstrating her commitment to bolstering the cultural institutions and their workers. Additionally, she serves as an editor for the Collections Journal and imparts her knowledge as an instructor on Collections Management for the George Washington University. As a peer-reviewed Professional Associate (PA) of AIC, Rebecca garners recognition for her contributions as an allied professional within the conservation community.

Registration Fee:

• $99 USD Early Bird Through September 2, 2024
• $149 USD September 3 - September 16, 2024

Connecting to Collections Care courses are made possible in part by generous support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Our Monthly Member Meetup is a series of hour-long monthly events that we’ll host every second Friday at 2pm ET. Topics may cover sustainability, private practice, volunteering, the wiki, emergency planning, introductions to our various committees and groups, and more. Our goal is to offer you a social outlet and way to connect with other members. We welcome suggestions for topics and guest hosts! Send us your ideas at membership@culturalheritage.org. See past recordings at https://learning.culturalherit... and https://learning.culturalherit....

The Wiki Working Group welcomes AIC Wiki editors and users to an open discussion. Learn about new processes and improvements with the AIC Wiki, as well as technical hurdles we are addressing, then discuss your own experiences and ideas. This will be a quarterly meeting, and will be recorded for those who can't join live.

Online, July 8, 15, 29, 2024, at 1:00-3:00pm ET
Instructor: Yosi Pozeilov
Coordinator: Cristiana Ginatta
Registration fee: $80 AIC members, $96 non-members (a limited number of free registrations are available for those who need it)

This workshop is designed to present the fundamentals of infrared imaging. The first two sessions will cover terminology, equipment, techniques, applications, and processing. The third session will include a review of practice images with additional time for questions and discussion.

Although this workshop is designed to cover knowledge from beginner to a more advanced level, to fully benefit from the information imparted, it is recommended that specific equipment be at hand to practice the concepts that are taught. The image processing software that will be used is Adobe Photoshop and Bridge; the group will be processing RAW images converted to DNGs.

Recommended equipment:

• Modified digital camera with IR capability, either UV-VIS-IR, or IR only
• Band pass IR filters, like the Wratten 87C, Peca 910, or Xnite 1000A
• Lights (radiation sources) rich in IR emission, like Tungsten-Halogen lights, LED IR lights, or unfiltered flash/strobe unit

Interested individuals should apply by June 9 to participate in the workshop. Those who need financial support can request it in the application. Accepted participants are expected to attend all three of the live sessions. The live sessions for the workshop will take place in Zoom and automated captions will be available.

Interested individuals should complete an application by June 9.The application will allow for a more inclusive group of participants who will be using the content directly in their work and disseminate the information amongst their communities. Below are the criteria for review. All interested conservation professionals are encouraged to apply! 30 spaces are available and applicants will be notified by June 17. Accepted participants are expected to attend all three of the live sessions.

Criteria for Review

• Need for the content
• Plan for dissemination of information gained
• The program seeks to support a diverse set of participants and will consider geographic location, place of employment type, profession, and career level 

Funding for this program comes from the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) Endowment for Professional Development. The FAIC Endowment for Professional Development, which was created by a grant from The Mellon Foundation and is supported by donations from members of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and its friends. Workshops are made possible with the assistance of many AIC members, but no AIC membership dues were used to create or present this course.

FAIC relies on your contributions to support these and its many other programs. Learn more about donating to the foundation.

Join the Wooden Artifacts Group for an insightful lunchtime webinar with Winterthur senior furniture conservator and WUDPAC professor, Kathy Gillis, as she delves into the fundamentals of furniture conservation.

This session will discuss basic treatments tailored for pre-program or early career professionals, while also welcoming established professionals seeking a review of the basics! Discover practical techniques, key principles, and insider tips crucial for preserving historic furniture. Whether you're just starting your journey in conservation or seeking to deepen your knowledge and refine your skills, Kathy's expertise promises to equip you with invaluable insights. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding of furniture conservation in this engaging online session!

This session is free for WAG and AIC members and $10 for non AIC members. The webinar will be recorded and available for later viewing for registered attendants.

In the ongoing endeavor to align conservation practices with sustainable principles, and as a follow-up event from the PMG Winter Meeting Sustainability panel in 2023, PMG will be offering a "Carbon Literacy for Conservation and Collections Care" workshop. The training will be offered over 2 sessions (June 20 and 21). Full details below.

Led by esteemed instructor Lorraine Finch ACR, a certified Carbon Literacy Trainer, this workshop is geared to colleagues seeking to integrate climate-conscious strategies into their conservation efforts. Through engaging sessions and interactive discussions, participants will delve into the nuanced intersection of climate science and conservation practice, equipping themselves with the knowledge and tools needed to enact positive change within their institutions and communities.

Lorraine Finch brings a wealth of expertise to the forefront as an advocate for environmental stewardship within the conservation field. With a distinguished background in Carbon Literacy training and a profound understanding of its implications for conservation and collections care, Lorraine is poised to guide participants through an illuminating journey towards sustainability. Her commitment to empowering individuals to recognize their role in mitigating climate change reflects a dedication to fostering a greener, more resilient future for cultural heritage preservation. 

Join us in embracing this transformative learning experience under Lorraine's guidance, as we collectively embark on a path towards environmental responsibility and conservation excellence. 

$30 for PMG members and student members, $40 for AIC members. We have a limited number of stipendiary (free) registrations for those experiencing financial hardship. Use the code on the registration page to register at this special rate.

AIC staff are hosting a live webinar and providing links to resources that will be useful for your term as a volunteer.

Join us to hear about the Conservators in Private Practice group updates, budget information, and new officers. Agenda to be shared before the meeting.

Join us to hear about the Research & Technical Specialty Group updates, budget information, and new officers. Agenda to be shared before the meeting.

Join us to hear about the Objects Specialty Group updates, budget information, and new officers. Agenda to be shared before the meeting.