Course on sound and image collections

Course
SOIMA 2009: Safeguarding Sound and Image Collections
New Delhi, India with study visits to other Indian cities
17 November-11 December, 2009 (four weeks)

Application deadline: 20 April, 2009

Organizers: NRLC (National Research Laboratory for Conservation of
Cultural property, Lucknow in collaboration with other national
cultural institutions in India, ICCROM (International Centre for the
Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)

With the cooperation of: American Institute of Indian Studies -
Archives and Research Centre for Ethnomusicology, Gurgaon, India
Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation des Collections, (CRCC),
France France, Masters Degree Program in Moving Image Archiving and
Preservation, New York University, USA Thomson Foundation of Film
and TV Heritage, Paris, France

Today sound and image records account for a large portion of world's
memory and are found in diverse cultural institutions. As documents
of intangible heritage and contemporary culture they are of immense
value. Yet, archives, museums, libraries and other cultural
institutions around the world are struggling to conserve their sound
and image collections in both analog and digital formats. Moreover,
conservation of sound and image materials is complex and requires
specialized guidance, skills and infrastructure. While digitization
offers new possibilities for wider access and preservation, many
institutions lack expertise to assess the technological implications
and to make informed choices that do not strain institutional
resources and at the same time respect the authenticity and inherent
values of this heritage. The course will provide an overview of
issues related to the preservation and access of sound and image
materials e.g., photographs, films, video and audiotapes, and
digital materials. It will discuss the value, meaning, selection and
use of sound and image collections in various institutional
contexts, exploring the potential of sound and image media in
transmitting knowledge and cultural traditions. Initial sessions
will especially focus on identification of various formats including
the playback equipment, life expectancy of media and ways of
detecting deterioration. Additional course topics will include:
current knowledge and practices for documenting and cataloging,
media handling and storage, risk assessment of collections,
emergency preparedness and response, criteria and technologies for
migration and reformatting, planning preservation projects,
outsourcing options, digital preservation and management. Other
issues such as curating and access, copyright laws, legal deposit,
and institutional and national preservation policies will be
discussed in context with participants' working realities.
Adaptation to technological changes and related cost- effective
preservation strategies will form a key component of the course.

Objectives: At the end of the course, participants will be able: to
recognize materials and media in their sound and image collections,
to identify risks and make informed choices for preservation and
access. They will have improved their skills to communicate
effectively across disciplines and to work in a team.

Course Methodology: The course will comprise lectures, a variety of
group activities, practical sessions, case studies and site visits.
Significant time will be allocated for independent consultation with
the course team. Case studies for the course will be based on
participants' inputs and will address issues and challenges
identified by them. Thus, active involvement of participants will be
sought during the course preparation phase. A follow-up programme,
will involve working on self-defined initiatives in participants'
home institutions and communicating as well as networking through a
platform supported by the organizers.

Participants: The course is aimed at professionals working with
mixed collections that have sound and image records of national or
regional significance. In particular, it will interest archivists,
collection managers, conservators, curators and librarians in charge
of preserving such collections in various cultural institutions
around the world. It will also interest Information Technology
professionals working on projects involving digitization of sound
and image collections or allied professionals and managers working
for broadcasting institutions. Preference will be given to people
actively involved in teaching and advising. A maximum of 22
participants will be selected.

Teaching team: International team of recognized experts identified
through professional networks of the organizers.

Working Language: English

Course Fee: 900EUR

Travel, Accommodation and Living Expenses: Participants will be
responsible for their round trip travel costs to and from New Delhi,
India. In order to cover living costs during the course,
participants should plan for a minimum total allowance of US$ 1500.
This sum would include the costs of accommodation in moderately
priced hotel rooms (which NRLC will locate for the participants).
Candidates are strongly encouraged to seek financial support from
sources such as governmental institutions, employers and funding
agencies.  The organizers may be able to offer a limited number of
scholarships to selected candidates who have been unable to secure
funding.

Application:  Please use the Course application form at

    <URL:http://www.iccrom.org/eng/01train_en/forms_en/applfrm_en.doc>

and  send  it together  with a  statement summarizing your
experience and the  relevance of the course to your current or
future projects in no more than 700 words. Applications should be
mailed to

    SOIMA 09-Collections Unit
    ICCROM
    13, via di San Michele
    I-00153 Rome RM, Italy
    +39 06 585531
    Fax: +39 06 58553349
    collections<-at->iccrom<.>org


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:47
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