FOCUS: Reconstructing a Map's Border
In the latest installment of our bimonthly FOCUS newsletter, we examine the treatment of a 19th century map of Rockland County, New York, which was printed by renowned Philadelphia lithographers Friend & Aub.
Addressing the map's surface issues was a familiar process for NEA Paper Conservation Fellow Benjamin Kirschner.
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Employment Opportunity: Housing Technician
CCAHA is seeking a full-time housing technician for constructing permanent enclosures, matting, and mounting original works of art and historic artifacts. This position will work closely with the conservation staff and the Manager of Housing and Framing in planning and design of mounts for storage and exhibition. A high degree of manual dexterity, creativity, and ability for precise execution is necessary. The successful candidate must have prior experience in mat cutting and mounting works on paper.
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Funding Opportunity: IMLS Inspire! Grants for Small Museums
IMLS Inspire! Grants for Small Museums
is a special IMLS initiative designed to inspire small museums to apply for funding to implement projects that address priorities identified in their strategic plans, including collection stewardship activities. Within the Collection Stewardship track, museums can apply for projects that include conservation surveys, conservation treatments, rehousing, digitization and other collections care activities. Applicants may request up to $50,000 for a project, with some cost share encouraged but not required.
While this year’s guidelines have not been published yet, you can
click here
to read the tentative IMLS announcement.
Applications tentatively due:
November 15, 2019.
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Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) Program Updates
The New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education contracts with CCAHA to deliver statewide services supporting organizations that safeguard New York's historical documents and library research materials.
Learn more about DHPSNY.
Last month, DHPSNY announced a new round of its ongoing Mentorship Program. The current application period is for cohorts that will meet from September 2019-February 2020. Applications must be submitted by July 19, 2019.
Click here to learn more and apply.
As a part of its ongoing Documentation Planning project, DHPSNY is collecting and analyzing Mission Statements and Collection Development Policies from institutions across New York.
Click here to learn more and participate.
Finally, a reminder that DHPSNY has launched a new
Facebook group
. The group provides a space to discuss topics of interest to the employees and volunteers of New York State’s libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural collecting institutions.
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WEBINAR
Fine Art Insurance 101: Updated and Simplified
Presenter:
Eric Fischer, Senior Vice President,
Willis Towers Watson FAJS
Date:
Monday, July 22
Time:
2:00 - 3:00 PM
This presentation is designed for the beginner, but is also appropriate for the expert who needs a refresher. Participants will learn how to use sound business practices to stay at the forefront of risk management while staying within budget. Topics will include basic loss prevention, use of insurance industry loss control to help get the projects you want completed taken seriously, and how insurance is just one part of risk management. Most importantly, the webinar will present examples of recent claims that will help provide an overview of the claims process and what one can expect when the unthinkable happens.
Putting Best Practices Into Practice
is a two-year series featuring monthly webinars and free interactive online community forums for discussion. The program provides support while also building capacity at organizations so that standards and goals can be scalable, achievable, and practical. Funding for this series has been generously provided by the
National Endowment for the Humanities
.
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WEBINAR
Scaling Best Practices to Fit Your Organization
Presenters:
Samantha Forsko, Preservation Specialist, CCAHA; Jennifer Ortiz, Museum Services Manager, Utah Division of Arts & Museums
Date:
Friday, July 26
Time:
2:00-3:30 PM
Have you ever come across a great idea only to wonder how you can make it work for your institution? Preservation resources often emphasize "best practices," but not everyone has the funds for a high-tech HVAC system or the staff time to develop a preservation plan. Scaling or adapting best practices and innovative ideas to fit your organization is critical to your success. Join us to hear about how institutions forgo the "best" in favor of "good and "better approaches to preservation. Presenters will share real-world examples of scaling projects and ideas in areas of collections care and management.
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WORKSHOP
Caring for Paper Collections in Your House Museum or Historic Building
Presenter:
Stephenie Schwartz Bailey, Education Program Manager & Preservation Consultant, CCAHA
Date:
Thursday, October 10
Time:
9:30 - 3:30 PM
Location:
A.J. Drexel Picture Gallery of Drexel University, Philadelphia
The end of family ownership and opening of historic buildings to visitors determines the use, presentation, and long-term care of the collections within. This workshop introduces best practices for handling, housing, and exhibiting photographs, books, and paper artifacts when architecture may limit storage space and environmental controls. Discussion will include an overview of the agents of deterioration, how to prioritize conservation concerns, and recommendations for preventive maintenance. After identifying preservation quality materials and tools, participants will design and make an enclosure for a paper artifact.
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CONFERENCE
Off the Shelf: Access and Preservation
in Libraries and Archives
Dates:
October 22-23
Location:
Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis
Innovative educational strategies have revolutionized how books and archival materials are experienced by diverse audiences, as a variety of communication styles and learning preferences are considered. Digitization, behind-the scenes tours, and adaptive exhibition environments relay the story for all. Even the work of conservators and librarians may be presented as part of the storytelling, as creative approaches to accessibility and collections care evolve. Yet, these approaches may seem at odds with preservation. The need for accessibility in libraries and archives requires a delicate balance between preservation and making materials available and understandable to a large audience with diverse needs. Strategies for promoting access with responsible stewardship in libraries and archives is the focus of this conference.
Topics include:
· Security issues in public access
· Digitization as access
· Opening special collections for audiences beyond researchers
· Sensory stimulation and visitor experience
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Increasing understanding of collections stewardship
Funding for this program has been generously provided by the
National Endowment for the Humanities
, with additional support from the
William Penn Foundation.
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Save the Date!
CCAHA Open House 2019
Date:
Wednesday, November 6
Time:
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location:
CCAHA, 264 South 23rd Street, Philadelphia
Every fall, CCAHA welcomes friends, colleagues, and neighbors into the lab for our annual Open House. Visitors enjoy refreshments, socialize, and get an up-close look at some of the remarkable projects we have worked on the previous year. Our 2019 Open House is scheduled in conjunction with this year's
Association of Registrars and Collections Specialists
(ARCS) Conference
, which takes place November 7-9 in Philadelphia. Stay tuned for more information, and we hope you will plan to join us.
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The
Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA)
is a nonprofit conservation facility specializing in the treatment of works on paper, photographs, and books through conservation and state-of-the-art digital imaging services. Founded in 1977, CCAHA serves collecting institutions and private individuals. CCAHA’s preservation services staff present educational programs, conduct preservation assessments, and develop emergency preparedness plans. CCAHA also offers fellowships, fundraising support, and disaster assistance.
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Support provided by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund
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