Managing Collection Environments Initiative

Multi-Project Initiative

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

Project Details

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

Project Team

Tahmida Afroze, Getty Graduate Intern; Vincent Laudato Beltran, Scientist; Alexandra Bridarolli, Assistant Scientist; 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, Project Specialist

Contact the Team

Projects in This Initiative

  1. Advancing Microfading Tester Practice

    A scientist navigates a machine on his workstation

    Creating a self-supporting framework for microfading tester users and allied professionals & facilitating museum lighting policy discussion

  2. Assessing the Transportation Environment

    Two people lean in, holding tools towards a wooden crate with a marble sculpture inside

    Examining crated art objects in transit to assess damage risk and cushioning material performance and to inform packing practice

  3. Collection Environment Field Activities

    Two people with gloves on talk while sitting on the floor of a home

    Environmental strategies for collections that support access and preservation in an economic and environmentally responsible way

  4. Environmental Data Analysis and Visualization

    People look at a chart shown on a computer monitor together

    Capacity building to deepen the analysis and visualization of environmental data and to support the decision-making process for environmental management

  5. Establishing Sustainable Environmental Strategy

    Two people work closely with various equipment and machinery

    Optimizing climate control strategy though collection of acoustic emission data on museum objects

  6. Mechanical Characterization of Historic and Artistic Materials

    Two people talk while examining an object in a science lab

    Studying the mechanical properties of art materials to determine safe temperature and humidity variations for mixed collections in museums

  7. Monitoring Climate-Induced Physical Damage in Art Objects

    Wearing magnifying glasses, a person uses a ruler to measure a wood object

    Develop and deploy methods for monitoring climate-induced changes in art objects to inform climate control strategies for museum collections

  8. Museum Lighting Research

    Person in a scientific lab holds looks into a clear, circular light filter

    New research into museum exhibition lighting leading to guidelines for selecting solid-state lighting for museums

  9. Training for Sustainable Collection Care

    People talk to each other while sitting at long tables with laptops on them

    A professional development program addressing new challenges in determining appropriate collection environments

Resources