CAP Collections Care Resources

The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) developed this list of basic requirements that need to be in place before following more specific advice on the care of collections. 

A good condition report is one of the cornerstones of documentation for any piece in a museum collection. This recorded webinar covers the benefits and the basics of condition reporting including how to examine and document a piece.

Conserve O Grams are short, focused leaflets about caring for museum objects, published in loose leaf format. Click here to view the current selection of Conserve O Grams. Topics include Collections Preservation, Agents of Deterioration, Storage, Security and Safety, Care by Collection Type, Packing and Shipping, Exhibits, Disaster Response and Recovery

• Who will benefit by reading Conserve O Grams?
  • • Both experienced and inexperienced museum staff responsible for the care and use of museum collections.
    • Interested individuals who have collections of fine arts, furniture, ceramics and glass, leather work, books and papers.
• How can the Conserve O Gram series help you take care of your collection?
• Learn specific procedures, techniques and materials to care for your objects.
• Receive resource lists including basic suppliers and bibliographies.
• Keep up-to-date on museum and archival techniques and practices.

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This practical guide designed by American Alliance of Museums (AAM) helps museums build and refine five "core documents," so named because they are fundamental for basic professional museum operations and embody core museum values and practices. The core documents include:

• mission statement
• institutional code of ethics
• strategic institutional plan
• disaster preparedness/emergency response plan
• collections management policy

Through Connecting to Collections Care this one-hour recorded webinar, instructor Bruce MacLeish demonstrates how to use a collections management policy to help make and enforce difficult decisions.

This technical leaflet from the American Association of State and Local History (AASLH) outlines principles, strategies and tips to garner support from the private and public sectors for your collections. The booklet also offers examples from a variety of institutions showing how to raise the visibility of collections care so that fundraising for preservation and conservation can be successful. 

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) offers the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) for small and medium sized museums. It is a one year process of self-assessment, institutional activities, and consultative peer review.  MAP offers four different assessments to choose from; organizational, collections stewardship, education and interpretation, and community and audience engagement.

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The American Association of State and Local History's (AASLH) STEPS program is a self-study and self-paced assessment program designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, organizations enrolled in STEPS assess their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against national museum standards.

This Small Museum Toolkit blog post outlines the basic components of a building operations manual.

Preservation Briefs provide guidance on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings. These NPS Publications help historic building owners recognize and resolve common problems prior to work. The briefs are especially useful to Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program applicants because they recommend methods and approaches for rehabilitating historic buildings that are consistent with their historic character.

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This webinar "Hibernation-Not Just for Bears; Putting your house museum "to bed" for the season" explores the variety of building and collections tasks that go into seasonal closings. 

Hurricanes, floods, burst pipes, and other emergencies can devastate collections. Explore these Emergency Resources to help your organization assess your risks and develop preparedness plans and strategies.

For disaster response and recovery find books, tip sheets, guides, and webinars to help institutions respond to and recover from events.

Cultural institutions and arts organizations can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068.  The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance on recovery efforts of damaged collections.

Perhaps the simplest action you can take to prepare for emergencies, the Council of State Archivists Pocket Response Plan (PReP) allows staff to keep a reminder of whom to contact in emergencies and an emergency response checklist with them at all times. The template can be downloaded and customized for your institution.

The Emergency Response and Salvage Wheel provides practical advice for saving collections in the first 48 hours after disaster strikes, outlining critical stages of disaster response and practical salvage tips for nine types of collections, from photographs to natural history specimens. The Wheel can be purchased here.

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This online disaster planning template walks cultural institutions through the process of building a plan for disaster prevention and response.

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The AZA website provides a wide range of free information, including animal care manuals, sustainability reports, and training modules that have been developed to enhance animal health, husbandry, and welfare practices.

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The American Public Gardens Association publishes informational pdfs on topics ranging from a voluntary code of conduct for invasive species to recommendations for collections planning. Explore the website further for additional resources, including funding opportunities for public gardens.

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This booklet shares strategies for fundraising at your museum. It outlines some principles and strategies that can help garner support from the private and public sectors, especially your local community. It also provides a variety of case studies and examples to show how fundraising for preservation and conservation can be successful.

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Developed by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) this Preservation Glossary contains over 400 terms and their definitions as they relate to the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage items. There are terms useful in describing the condition, care, and management of collections, and their definitions are as simple and jargon-free as possible.

Finding New Sources of Funding in Challenging Times: An Introduction 
An investigation of any grants database using the search terms “historic preservation” or “cultural resources” will yield minimal results. During times of economic hardship, and the resulting narrowing of priorities for funders, results may be downright nonexistent. Learn how to evaluate a cultural resource project for its value in serving broader community needs. Review traditional funding types vs. alternative sources that can be redirected to meet project goals. Consider new partnerships that can expand the universe of support.

Fundraising for Collections Care
This free online course offers training, tools and tips through a series of self-paced webinars. It reviews the basics of creating a fundraising plan, where to look for support, how to cultivate individual donors and members, how to write successful proposals, and creative ideas for funding your collections care projects.

Funding For Collections Care 
One of the biggest challenges in moving ahead with collections care projects can be finding adequate funding. Learn how enthusiasm in making the case, coupled with a rich understanding of the stories behind your collections, can yield success in fundraising.

So, You Want to Run a Kickstarter Campaign? Lessons/Tips for Crowd Funding Your Project
Crowdfunding, once a novel approach to financing a project, has now become mainstream with multiple hosting platforms to choose from. In this Connecting to Collections Care webinar, conservator J. Claire Dean highlights the challenges and rewards of using a crowdfunding approach. The most popular platforms are discussed, as are the key factors to organizing, promoting, and completing a campaign.

Adopt-an-Object Fundraising Tool
Object adoption programs offer a unique opportunity for visitors to meaningfully contribute to conservation efforts and to gain a sense of ownership of their favorite objects and institutions. This live chat discussed existing Adopt-an-Object models and explored the lessons learned by the institutions that have used them.

At times, it may be necessary to consult a professional conservator for collections care assistance.  The American Institute for Conservation Find a Professional tool allows you to search for conservators by specialty area, geographic location, and services provided.

Please check with program staff for most up to date information on status of these programs.

INSPIRE! Grants for Small Museums
Inspire! is designed to inspire small museums to apply for and implement projects that address priorities identified in their strategic plans.
Museums for America (MFA)
The Museums for America (MFA) program has three project categories: Collections Stewardship and Public Access, Lifelong Learning, and Community Anchors and Catalysts.
Native American/ Native Hawaiian Services Program
Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services grants support Indian tribes and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. They are intended to provide opportunities to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge through strengthened activities in areas such as collections stewardship, exhibitions, educational services and programming, and professional development. 
Museum Grants for African American History and Culture
Museum Grants for African American History and Culture support activities that build the capacity of African American museums and support the growth and development of museum professionals at African American museums. 
Museums Empowered: Professional Development Opportunities for Museum Staff
A special initiative of the Museums for America grant program with four project categories; Digital Technology, Diversity and Inclusion, Evaluation, and Organizational Management.

Please check with program staff for most up to date information on status of these programs.

Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions
Preservation Assistance Grants help small and mid-sized institutions improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections.

Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections
This grant helps cultural institutions preserve large and diverse holdings of humanities materials by supporting sustainable conservation measures.

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Please check with  program staff for most up to date information on status of these programs.

Save America's Treasures Grants (SAT)
SAT grants provide preservation and/or conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties and collections. There are two separate applications: one for preservation projects and one for projects involving collections. 

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Industrial Heritage Preservation Grants
The Society for Industrial Archaeology offers Industrial Heritage Preservation Grants (IHPG) for the study, documentation, recordation, and/or preservation of significant historic industrial sites, structures, and objects. Funds may be used for a range of projects including, but not limited to: increasing public awareness of preservation efforts, photography, videography, preparing inventories and developing measured drawings of extant significant industrial sites, structures, maritime facilities and industrial artifacts. 

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CSA Small Museums Collection Care Grant
A CSA Small Museum Collection Care Grant intended to assist the costume and textiles collection of a small museum (including historical societies, historic houses or sites, and other similar institutions) that has a very limited budget and staff. Funding may be used to support the care, conservation, and/or exhibition of costume and textiles that have historic, regional, or other significance and are intended for preservation. 

CSA College and University Collection Care Grant
A CSA College and University Collection Care Grant intended to assist the costume and textiles collection of a college or university that receives little or no financial support from its institution. Funding may be used to support the care, conservation, and/or instructional mission of a collection of historic, period, or otherwise informative costume and textiles that are intended for preservation and are used for study by an institution that has a degree program in apparel, textiles, or theatre.

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Public Garden Funding Resources

A list of grants and resources available to non-profit gardens.

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