Managing Collection Environments Initiative

Multi-Project Initiative

Scientific research and field work toward sustainable management of collection environments in museums, libraries, and archives

Category
- Conservation
Years 2013 – present
Status
- Active
Organizer
- Getty Conservation Institute

Decorative arts objects including chairs, tables, and chandeliers sit in a museum gallery

About

Goal

Collection environments have typically called for narrow ranges of temperature and relative humidity, but this practice has raised concerns about its environmental and financial sustainability and the need to incorporate updated information on object needs and advances in environmental management. This initiative aims to inform environmental strategies for collections by addressing research questions and practical issues pertaining to the sustainable control and management of collection environments.

Outcomes

Influenced national and international guidance on environmental management for museums, galleries, archives, and libraries 
Developed a mechanical testing facility whose capabilities are unique in the cultural heritage field 
Developed workshops, courses, symposia, and experts meetings to empower participants to develop preservation approaches that engage with the wider goals of sustainability  
Published a suite of technical notes that presents a holistic approach to the sustainable management of collections, including emphasis on technical information, communication, and practice
Increased knowledge about the relationship between climatic fluctuations and the response of objects made from hygroscopic materials
Published guidance and reports on select preventive conservation topics, including acoustic emission monitoring, microfading, and environmental data analysis

Background

Cultural heritage institutions worldwide are under increasing pressure to operate in a more sustainable manner, for which the management of interior museum environments to protect vulnerable objects is a key component. The urgency of sustainable environmental management is motivated by increasing costs of energy, reduced institutional budgets, and governmental and regional mandates for reduced carbon footprints. There is also an expectation that museum operations will comply with standards and regulations that protect the natural environment and conserve resources for future generations.

Approach

The Managing Collection Environments Initiative addresses sustainable management of exhibition, storage, and transit environments for museums, galleries, archives, and libraries. It combines scientific research and fieldwork to investigate the response of artist’s and historic materials to temperature and relative humidity, as well as light, shock, and vibration. Equally important is an understanding of the institutional decision-making process when developing policies and strategies for environmental management. A suite of educational activities—workshops, courses, meetings, publications—are used to disseminate this knowledge to the field and further discussion of preventive conservation.
- Analyze the physical behavior of artist’s and historic materials under a range of environmental conditions
- Propose viable decision-making and practical strategies for collection environments based on an understanding of risk and incorporating recent advances in environmental management
- Encourage critical dialogue among colleagues working in this area through collaboration, workshops, and expert meetings
- Disseminate results of research and fieldwork through educational activities, publications, and professional meetings

Project Team

Tahmida Afroze, Getty Graduate Intern; Vincent Laudato Beltran, Scientist; Alexandra Bridarolli, Associate Scientist; Simran Deo, Getty Marrow Undergraduate Intern; Ashley Freeman, Associate Scientist; Naoki Fujisawa, Scientist; Jonah Halili, Getty Graduate Intern; Cheyenne Laux, Getty Post-Baccalaureate Conservation Intern; Michał Łukomski, Senior Scientist; Cecilia Winter, Senior Project Specialist