CCAHA

Track I: Preservation Needs Assessment

"To create a collection, to inherit one, or to be given oversight of a collection, is also to create, inherit, or accept a great responsibility.  The challenge for collecting institutions is to meet the charge of stewardship and to assure that their valued collections, whether works of art, historical documents, scientific specimens, library collections, or other forms of material culture, are preserved for future generations."

Position Paper on Conservation and Preservation in Collecting Institutions
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, 2004

 
The American Association of Museums recommends that all collecting institutions receive a preservation needs assessment as a first step in developing a preservation plan for collections.  In addition to pinpointing areas of concern, the preservation needs assessment is widely recognized as a valuable tool in fundraising for collections.  Through Track I of the Philadelphia Stewardship Program, CCAHA assists organizations with the creation of a needs assessment report.  The following is the formal definition of a needs assessment, as described in Preservation Planning: Guidelines for Writing a Long-Range Plan by Roxana Adams:

Needs assessment survey:  “An evaluation of the policies, practices, and conditions in an institution that have an impact on the preservation of the institution’s collections.”

Through Track I of the Philadelphia Stewardship Program, participating organizations will receive a free preservation needs assessment and have the opportunity to participate in workshops that are designed to train staff in various important aspects of collections care.  Organizations that complete Track I will be eligible to apply for entry into subsequent tracks of the Philadelphia Stewardship Program that offer assistance with preservation planning, emergency planning, and collections management policies.

While preparing a needs assessment survey, CCAHA preservation services staff members work one-on-one with organizations to meet their unique needs.  By viewing the conditions on-site, the CCAHA consultant gains a unique perspective on the individual situation of each organization.  These visits often offer opportunities for education, personal attention, and mentoring.  Through the vantage point of having assisted many other institutions on-site, the CCAHA consultant can often share creative and affordable recommendations and solutions to preservation problems.

The needs assessment survey process encompasses a general evaluation of the institution’s preservation needs for the collections: environment (temperature, relative humidity, pollution, and light), housekeeping, pest control, fire protection, security and disaster preparedness, collection storage, handling, exhibition, and treatment.  Interviews with relevant staff will be conducted to identify preservation needs.  The final written report provides observations and recommendations to serve as guides for staff and Board members as they deal with collection care issues and engage in preservation planning.

In addition to receiving the free preservation needs assessment, staff at participating organizations must attend one educational program offered by CCAHA on such subjects as housekeeping, pest management, environmental monitoring, and basic archival management, as well as fundraising for preservation and conservation.  These programs, which are part of the Collections Care Training Series, will be offered at a discount for participants in the Stewardship Program.

Criteria for Participation

To be considered for participation in Track I of CCAHA's Philadelphia Stewardship Program, an organization must be located within the counties of Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia, and have a historic collection available to the public.  The program requires a 12-month commitment.  A staff member must be identified who will work with the CCAHA consultant.  Preference will be given to organizations that:

• have collections that are unique or of significant historical or artifactual value;
• demonstrate a willingness to develop and maintain a preservation program;  and
• commit to attending educational programs.

This program is intended for organizations that do not have a preservation needs assessment or for institutions with out-of-date assessments.  Organizations that have an assessment that reflects current conditions at their institution should contact CCAHA to discuss participation in the other tracks of the Stewardship Program.

Application Process

We urge you to consider applying for participation in Track I of the Philadelphia Stewardship Program.  To apply, please download an application or request an application package from CCAHA’s Preservation Services Office at:

Preservation Services Office
Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts
264 South 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA  19103
Tel: 215.545.0613  Fax: 215.735.9313
Email: pso@ccaha.org
Website: www.ccaha.org

The most recent application deadline has passed.

The Philadelphia Stewardship Program is funded by the William Penn Foundation, which strives to improve the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through efforts that foster rich cultural expression, strengthen children’s futures, and deepen connections to nature and community.  In partnership with others, the William Penn Foundation works to advance a vital, just, and caring community.