AIC's 42nd Annual Meeting

The preservation of collections connects humanity across an increasingly intersected and confronted global society. As nations struggle with catastrophic natural disasters, warfare, economic collapse, and other crises, the need to preserve our world’s tangible and intangible heritage is heightened.

This presentation will share lessons learned from a series of photographic preservation projects organized in collaboration with organizations, agencies, and individuals across the Middle East and in Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia, (some documented at http://goo.gl/maps/UL5S7). In doing so, conclusions will be shared from preservation activities associated with the Middle East Photograph Preservation Initiative (1996 – 2014), the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage (2008 – today), and photograph preventive conservation training in underserved regions of the world, including Sub-Saharan Africa (to start March 2014 in Benin), Columbia, Peru, and India. Recommendations will also be gathered via in-depth consultation with leading conservation professionals who have developed and managed global collections care projects outside of photographic materials.

While assessment, education, and research are essential to care for global cultural heritage, final success will ultimately be determined by our collective interpersonal, communication, advocacy, engagement, and fundraising skills. As conservation professionals we have the responsibility to engage with allied professionals, decision makers and the public, and to serve as global ambassadors.

Conservation professionals leading global collection care projects should connect preservation initiatives to reconciliation, energy, environment and economic development, collaborate with established regional partners and not operate in isolation, build visibility through marketing and social media, establish short-and long-term implementation plans, communicate repeatedly and effectively; promote respect, harness passion and creativity, and take risks. Effective collaborative partnerships and external funding are essential. We must use emerging technologies, train trainers, engage communities, build public awareness, promote shared decision making, and cost-effective preventive care solutions. Poor communication and limited accountability will deter progress. Funding proposals should be well integrated and project monies – secured via effective advocacy and networking from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies - must be invested wisely to ensure sustainability.

Concrete preventive conservation measures - with a focus on education and training - are essential to protect collections that are facing limited preservation resources worldwide. By sharing on-the-ground observations and recommendations, this presentation aims to advance collaborative strategic preventive conservation projects and inspire change.