🏛️Curatorial Studies Unit 4 – Collection Management and Care

What's This Unit About?

• Explores the fundamental principles and practices of managing and caring for collections in museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions
• Covers the entire lifecycle of collections from acquisition and documentation to storage, conservation, and access
• Examines the roles and responsibilities of curators, collections managers, and conservators in ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of collections
• Discusses the ethical considerations and legal frameworks that guide collection management decisions
• Provides an overview of the various types of collections (art, natural history, ethnographic, etc.) and their specific care requirements
• Introduces key concepts and terminology used in the field of collection management and care
• Highlights the importance of collections as a primary resource for research, education, and public engagement

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Accession: The formal process of accepting an object or collection into a museum's permanent collection
• Deaccession: The process of permanently removing an object from a museum's collection, often through sale, donation, or destruction
• Provenance: The history of ownership and custody of an object, used to establish its authenticity and legal status
• Conservation: The practice of preserving and stabilizing objects to prevent further deterioration or damage
• Preservation: The overall approach to minimizing the deterioration of collections through environmental control, proper handling, and storage
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A holistic approach to preventing and controlling pest infestations in collections through monitoring, identification, and targeted treatments
• Collections Management Policy: A written document that outlines the policies and procedures for acquiring, documenting, storing, and providing access to collections
• Collections Management System (CMS): A software application used to track and manage information about collections, including object records, location data, and conservation histories

Historical Context

• The development of modern collection management practices can be traced back to the cabinets of curiosity in the 16th and 17th centuries, which were private collections of rare and exotic objects
• The establishment of public museums in the 18th and 19th centuries, such as the British Museum (1753) and the Louvre (1793), led to the professionalization of museum work and the need for systematic approaches to collection care
• The growth of natural history collections in the 19th century, driven by scientific exploration and colonialism, posed new challenges for the storage and organization of large numbers of specimens
• The development of conservation as a distinct profession in the 20th century, influenced by advances in chemistry and materials science, transformed the way museums approach the care of their collections
• The digital revolution of the late 20th and early 21st centuries has had a significant impact on collection management, enabling the creation of online databases, digital archives, and virtual exhibitions
• The increasing emphasis on cultural heritage preservation and repatriation in recent decades has led to new ethical considerations and legal frameworks for collection management

Types of Collections

• Art collections: Paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and other works of art from various periods and cultures
  • May include both fine art and decorative art objects
  • Require specialized storage and handling techniques to prevent damage from light, humidity, and physical stress
• Natural history collections: Specimens of plants, animals, fossils, rocks, and minerals collected for scientific research and education
  • Often organized by taxonomy and stored in climate-controlled cabinets or jars
  • May include both physical specimens and associated data such as field notes and photographs
• Ethnographic collections: Objects and artifacts from diverse cultures around the world, collected to document and preserve cultural heritage
  • May include textiles, pottery, tools, weapons, and religious or ceremonial objects
  • Require culturally sensitive handling and storage practices, as well as consultation with source communities
• Archaeological collections: Artifacts and ecofacts excavated from archaeological sites, used to study past human cultures and environments
  • May include pottery, stone tools, human remains, and organic materials such as seeds and charcoal
  • Require careful documentation of provenience (location and context of discovery) and adherence to legal and ethical guidelines for cultural heritage preservation
• Archival collections: Documents, photographs, maps, and other records that provide historical evidence and context for understanding the past
  • May include personal papers, institutional records, and audio-visual materials
  • Require specialized storage conditions to prevent deterioration from light, humidity, and acidic materials

Collection Management Strategies

• Develop and implement a comprehensive collections management policy that outlines the institution's mission, scope, and standards for acquisition, documentation, care, and access
• Use a collections management system (CMS) to centralize and standardize object records, location data, and conservation histories
• Establish clear protocols for handling, moving, and storing objects to minimize the risk of damage or loss
• Implement an integrated pest management (IPM) program to prevent and control infestations through monitoring, identification, and targeted treatments
• Conduct regular inventories and condition assessments to ensure the accuracy of object records and identify conservation needs
• Develop emergency preparedness and response plans to protect collections from natural disasters, theft, and other risks
• Foster collaborations with other institutions, researchers, and communities to enhance the value and impact of collections
• Provide training and professional development opportunities for staff to stay current with best practices and emerging technologies in collection management

Conservation and Preservation Techniques

• Environmental control: Maintain stable temperature, relative humidity, and light levels to prevent deterioration of collections
  • Use HVAC systems, dehumidifiers, and light filters to create optimal storage conditions
  • Monitor environmental conditions regularly using data loggers and adjust as needed
• Preventive conservation: Implement measures to minimize the need for interventive treatments and extend the lifespan of objects
  • Use archival-quality storage materials (acid-free boxes, tissue paper, etc.) to protect objects from dust, light, and pollutants
  • Establish handling and access procedures to minimize wear and tear on objects
• Interventive conservation: Perform treatments to stabilize or restore damaged objects using specialized techniques and materials
  • May include cleaning, repair, consolidation, or rehousing of objects
  • Requires extensive documentation and adherence to ethical guidelines for minimizing intervention and respecting the integrity of objects
• Digitization: Create high-quality digital surrogates of objects to enhance access, research, and preservation
  • Use specialized equipment (scanners, cameras, etc.) and software to capture and process digital images
  • Develop metadata standards and digital asset management systems to organize and preserve digital files

Ethical Considerations

• Acquisition and deaccession: Ensure that all acquisitions and deaccessions are conducted in accordance with legal and ethical guidelines, including due diligence in provenance research and transparency in decision-making processes
• Cultural sensitivity: Respect the cultural significance and sacred nature of certain objects, and consult with source communities regarding their care, interpretation, and potential repatriation
• Access and use: Balance the need for public access and research with the responsibility to protect collections from damage or misuse, and develop clear policies for reproduction, publication, and intellectual property rights
• Conservation and restoration: Adhere to professional codes of ethics that prioritize the long-term preservation of objects and respect for their original materials, techniques, and contexts
• Collaboration and partnerships: Foster inclusive and equitable relationships with diverse communities, institutions, and stakeholders, and ensure that all voices are heard and respected in decision-making processes
• Sustainability and environmental responsibility: Develop and implement sustainable practices in collection management, including energy-efficient storage, green building design, and waste reduction strategies

Practical Applications and Case Studies

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art's (New York) Collections Management Policy: A comprehensive document that outlines the museum's policies and procedures for acquisition, documentation, care, and access of its vast collections
• The Natural History Museum's (London) Conservation Centre: A state-of-the-art facility that provides specialized storage, research, and conservation services for the museum's 80 million specimens
• The National Museum of the American Indian's (Washington, D.C.) Repatriation Program: A collaborative initiative that works with Native American tribes to identify and return sacred objects and ancestral remains to their communities of origin
• The British Library's (London) Preservation Advisory Centre: A resource center that provides training, advice, and support for the preservation of library and archive collections across the UK
• The Museum of Modern Art's (New York) Media Conservation Initiative: A program that develops innovative strategies for the long-term preservation of digital and time-based media artworks, including software-based installations and video art
• The Smithsonian Institution's (Washington, D.C.) Collections Care Initiative: A pan-institutional effort to improve the storage, documentation, and accessibility of the Smithsonian's vast collections through shared resources, expertise, and best practices