The Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is seeking applicants for its Preservation Needs Assessment and Risk Assessment programs. Through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), CCAHA is able to offer a limited number of subsidized assessments for a total of $350 each. These services are valued at over $5,000.
About the Preservation Needs Assessment Program
Completing a Preservation Needs Assessment is a key first step in the process of caring for collections and is essential when seeking funding for preservation and conservation initiatives.
The Preservation Needs Assessment process encompasses a general evaluation of the institution’s preservation needs for their collections and includes: environment (temperature, relative humidity, pollution, and light), housekeeping, pest control, fire protection, security, and disaster preparedness; collection storage, handling, exhibition, and treatment; and preservation planning. The site visit consists of a review of the site conducted by a CCAHA preservation expert, an examination of the collections, and interviews with relevant staff. The written report provides observations, recommendations, and resources to serve as a guide in the development of a comprehensive preservation plan for the collections.
Eligibility: Institutions with paper-based humanities collections that are available to the public on a regularly scheduled basis and that have national or regional significance are encouraged to apply.
Click here for information on the Preservation Needs Program or to view eligibility requirements.
About the Risk Assessment Program
One of the most important steps a cultural institution can take to safeguard its collections is to be prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster. An Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan is an integral part of a comprehensive Preservation Program. The preparation and continued updating of a plan has several benefits including identification of areas of risk and hazards, establishment of procedures and systems to mitigate potential risks, determination of collections priorities, and development of procedures for quick response to limit damage to collections.
Participating institutions will receive a written Risk Assessment Report and will work with a CCAHA preservation expert to develop a full Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for their collections. The Plan will include information on essential contacts, emergency response and recovery vendors, emergency communication, insurance, salvage priorities for the collections, and salvage procedures relevant to the types of materials in the institution’s collections.
Eligibility: Small to mid-sized institutions with humanities-based collections of regional or national significance are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Click here for information on the Risk Assessment Program or to view eligibility requirements.
If you have questions or want to discuss the suitability of these programs for your institution, please contact CCAHA’s Preservation Services Office, by calling 215.545.0613, emailing pso@ccaha.org, or visiting www.ccaha.org.
All applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 15, 2016.
The Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is a nonprofit conservation facility specializing in the treatment of works on paper, photographs, and books through conservation and state-of-the-art digital imaging services. Founded in 1977, CCAHA serves nonprofit cultural institutions, private individuals, and other collecting organizations. CCAHA’s preservation services staff present educational programs, conduct preservation assessments, and develop emergency preparedness plans. CCAHA also offers fellowships, fundraising support, and disaster assistance.