Workshops

Five workshops are scheduled for Saturday, May 17th at the

Skirvin Hilton Hotel. Workshops 1, 2, 3, and 4 are full-day workshops. Workshop 5 is a half-day workshop that will be held in the morning.

Workshop registration costs includes breaks and lunch for both full-day and half-day workshops.

All workshops are still open. There is still time to register!

Workshop 1 — Best Practices in Collections Stewardship: Writing a Collections Management Policy (full-day: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) $60

Organizers: John E. Simmons (Museologica) and Elizabeth E. Merritt (Director, Museum Advancement & Excellence, American Association of Museums)

This workshop will cover:
• The full range of the issues a collections management policy should address and the pros and cons of choosing one policy option over another.
• Expert advice on how various policy choices made by museums play out in reality and which ones tend to be successful or problematic.
• Step-by-step instruction on who to involve in the policy development, writing, and review process as well as techniques for getting buy-in and ensuring a successful outcome.
• Sample policies and insight as to what makes each effective

Workshop 2 —Hazardous Materials Specimen Shipping

(full-day: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm) $100

Organizers: Andy Bentley (Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas), and Carol Butler (National Museum of Natural History)

Most collection holding natural history institutions, as part of their daily operating procedures deal with the shipping of specimens, through loans and gifts of material to other institutions as well as the accepting of incoming material. A large number of these shipments contain flammable or hazardous solutions e.g. ethanol, isopropanol or formaldehyde in varying concentrations. Dangerous goods regulations, most in place long before September 11th, 2001, were brought sharply into focus after that tragic event. The shipping and handling of natural history specimens in wet collections has been affected by the more rigorous enforcement of these regulations, which has impacted the methods and frequency with which museums and other collection-holding institutions can send loans and gifts of materials to others. There is a great deal of confusion concerning the application of these regulations that along with a lack of knowledge has resulted in serious misinterpretations of the regulations within the natural history community.

The workshop will aim to provide training in packing, shipping and handling of dangerous goods according to the standards of both DOT and IATA. It will also include an outline of present legislation together with natural history museum specific solutions to various common shipping and packing issues. Participants of this workshop will receive official certification for the handling and transportation of dangerous goods.

Workshop 3 —Lighting in Museums: Challenges of Balancing Collection Stewardship and Technology (full-day: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) $60

Sponsored by: Oklahoma Museum Association (OMA)

Organizer: Steven Weintraub (Art Preservation Services)

The workshop will cover museum lighting issues such as risk assessment, preventive conservation, lighting design, current and emerging technologies in lighting, and the challenges of integrating conservation requirements with interpretive and aesthetic concerns, cost efficiency, and energy conservation.

Workshop 4 — Museum Cleaning Basics in a Changing World

(full-day: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) $60

Organizers: Gretchen Anderson (Science Museum of Minnesota), Helen Alten (Northern States Conservation Center), and Rebecca Newberry (Science Museum of Minnesota)

Museum Cleaning Basics explores everything you need to know about cleaning in your collections. Participants learn when to clean and when not to clean. They also learn how to make those decisions. Topics range from basic housekeeping to safe specific techniques for objects. You will learn why cleaning is important and how to prevent damage when cleaning. We will discuss when to call in a specialist, such as a conservator. Participants will receive samples of cleaning materials and a recommended outline for a housekeeping manual for their institution. Participants will have time to experiment with the cleaning materials that are provided.

Workshop 5 —Making Sense of Making Mounts Workshop

(half-day: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm) $40

Organizers: Scott Jones and Yvonne Lever (Atlas Fine Art Service)

Museum staff may sometimes feel that object mounts are too expensive or complicated to use. This is not the case. These supports are not only practical, but they can enhance the beauty and drama of the objects and protect the objects on exhibit. The objective of this workshop is to a) demystify mount making and b) suggest safe but inexpensive solutions for displaying objects. Each participant will receive material samples and discuss methods to create a mount. Each participant will have the opportunity to make supports from mount blanks or mat board and practice painting for mount finishing.