Call for applications--CCAHA Vulnerability Assessment Program

The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is
currently accepting applicants for its subsidized Vulnerability
Assessment Program.  Information on eligibility and the application
process is below.  Application forms can be downloaded from
<URL:http://www.ccaha.org/surveys.php>.  If you have any questions
about the program, please contact Laura Hortz Stanton, CCAHA's
Director of Preservation Services at 215-545-0613 or via email at
lhortzstanton [at] ccaha__org.

It has come to the forefront in recent years that there is great
potential for cultural collections to incur damage from large scale
disasters, such as fires, hurricanes, and earthquakes.  Roof leaks,
pest infestations, mold blooms, thefts, aging mechanical systems,
and other localized emergencies can also greatly affect collections
materials.

Being prepared and identifying the potential threats to one's
institution are the best ways of mitigating risks to cultural
collections.  According to Building an Emergency Plan: A Guide for
Museums and Other Cultural Institutions, published by the Getty
Conservation Institute, the first step in creating a disaster plan
is "to prepare a report identifying what natural or human-caused
emergencies may threaten the institution."  This report is usually
referred to as a vulnerability assessment.  Organizations cannot
move ahead to the development of a disaster plan without a
clear-eyed understanding of the areas where their institution is
most vulnerable to loss and damage.

The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is
seeking applicants to participate in its Vulnerability Assessment
Program.  Institutions that are selected through this competitive
application process will receive a one day on-site consultation and
a written vulnerability assessment, which can become the basis for
future disaster planning efforts.  In addition, CCAHA staff will
review any subsequent disaster planning documents and make
suggestions for the successful implementation of the plan.

Process: During the on-site consultation, CCAHA staff will review
and examine the institution's environment, history, location,
structural needs, pest control, fire protection, security
procedures, local resources, and training requirements.  Insurance
considerations, collections documentation, and collections salvage
priorities are also addressed. The written report provides
observations, recommendations, and resources to serve as a guide in
the development of a comprehensive disaster plan for the
institution.

Eligibility: The Vulnerability Assessment Program is intended for
small to mid-sized institutions with humanities based collections in
the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Delaware, Maryland, New York, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West
Virginia.  Institutions wishing to participate in the program must
be willing to make a commitment to developing an Emergency
Preparedness and Response Plan, or updating the plan that they
currently have in place, and must assign a project manager.

Priority will be given to institutions that would not normally have
the resources to pay for this service at full cost, or the staff
time or expertise to complete the assessment in-house.  Institutions
funded by the federal government are not eligible.

Cost: Through funding from the National Endowment for the
Humanities, CCAHA is able to offer a limited number of subsidized
vulnerability assessments for $350.  The funding also covers the
assessor's travel expenses.

Application forms for the Vulnerability Assessment Program at
<URL:http://www.ccaha.org>

All applications must be postmarked by Friday, December 7, 2007

If you have questions or want to discuss the suitability of this
program for your institution, please contact CCAHA's Preservation
Services Office at:

    Preservation Services Office
    Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA)
    264 South 23rd Street
    Philadelphia, PA  19103
    215-545-0613
    Fax: 215-735-9313
    ccaha [at] ccaha__org

Laura Hortz Stanton
Director of Preservation Services
Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts
264 S. 23rd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-545-0613
Fax: 215-735-9313


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:24
               Distributed: Saturday, September 29, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-24-013
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