Training in digital documentation and preservation for monastic treasure caretakers

Assistance in Himalayan Training Session Needed
February 2014

Training in digital documentation and preservation for monastic
    treasure caretakers
Himalayan region

Art theft from Himalayan monasteries is increasing every year, and
monastic caretakers are asking for training in security and
documentation.  There is a particular need for inventories that
include integrated video/audio interviews with the elder monastics
who carried the treasures from distant monasteries and who still
carry the knowledge of the objects' history and significance.

After decades of fieldwork and fifteen years building toward this
specific effort, Digital Monastery Project is ready to pilot a
training opportunity for monastic treasure caretakers to be held in
the Himalayan region.  Our international team includes experienced
professional conservators, security experts and digital inventory
specialists who have decades of experience in related projects.

Each year's training consists of two segments:

    Instructional Residency:

        The goal is to train monk/nun participants (20-25 at a time)
        from monasteries and nunneries across the Himalayan region,
        including all lineages.  The participants serve as
        caretakers for their home monasteries' treasures.  In
        February 2014, the participants will arrive for 3-4 weeks of
        instruction in digital documentation, basic preservation and
        disaster management planning.

        The training program is augmented by visits to the studios
        of Master sculptors, weavers, dyers, tailors, thangka
        painters, and other traditional disciplines.  Site visits to
        local monasteries will provide hands-on, working situation
        documentation experience.

    On-Site Follow-up:

        Each monk/nun participant returns to his or her monastery to
        develop their collection care and preservation plan and
        begin digital documentation of the treasures of the home
        monastery.  Members of the teaching team will visit monk/nun
        participants to work side-by side with them in their
        treasuries, ensuring knowledge and skills acquired are being
        well applied.

Please help us by sharing this message colleagues and friends.  Your
donation, large or small, will have a real impact in safeguarding
this precious resource.  All contributions go to a 501(c)(3)
Non-Profit Organization (Milarepa Childrens), and tax receipts will
be issued.

    <URL:http://www.digitalmonasteryproject.com>
    facebook: Digital Monastery Project

Thank you for your support.

Ann Shaftel MA, MS
FAIC, FIIC, CAPC


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:22
               Distributed: Wednesday, November 20, 2013
                       Message Id: cdl-27-22-001
                                  ***