[PADG:2136] CCAHA's Workshop Series on Exhibitions

[ccaha@xxxxxxxxx]

December 8-10, 2003 - Philadelphia, PA

The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is pleased to announce its new three-day workshop series, "Show and Tell: Preservation Planning for Exhibitions."

Developing an exhibition today is no longer a passive review of displayed objects but a highly interactive process.  With the increased emphasis on interactive and sophisticated exhibit design, the need to preserve and conserve original artifacts becomes an important issue.  This series will explore the preservation challenges that cultural institutions face when designing exciting exhibitions that also safeguard collections. 

The goal of this series is to provide participants with state-of-the-art conservation guidelines for exhibition design and fabrication, as well as exhibit object mount making.  The speakers will also address the needs of small to mid-size institutions and institutions with budgetary constraints.

The workshops are intended for curators, librarians, archivists, collection managers, exhibition designers, preparators, conservators, and other staff who are involved in exhibition design and installation in cultural institutions.  This series is also appropriate for those who are responsible for the safety of collections while they are on exhibit. 

Although attending the entire series is not required, it is recommended as each workshop will cover a significantly different topic applicable to most collecting institutions.  Individually, the workshops will provide valuable information; as a series, they will provide a framework for the development of appropriate institutional policies and procedures regarding exhibition of historic objects.


WORKSHOPS DESCRIPTIONS:

December 8, 2003
Incorporating Conservation into Exhibit Planning and Design

A successful exhibit must fulfill its educational intent, be aesthetically engaging, and protect the objects on display.  This workshop will address how to incorporate conservation into the planning and design process and will include the elements of a preservation-responsible exhibit; the role of the design team and the role of exhibit conservator; selection criteria for exhibit objects and how to establish conservation criteria for new exhibitions; safe handling of objects and documentation requirements; emergency preparedness and fire protection; and appropriate budgeting for conservation and exhibition funding.

Speakers:
Nancy Davis, National Preservation Program Officer, Presidential Libraries, National Archives & Records Administration, College Park, MD
Toby Raphael, Museum Exhibition Conservator, National Park Service, Harpers Ferry, WV
Kevin Brookes, Exhibit Designer/Detailer, Nashbrookes Associates, Inc., Frederick, MD


December 9, 2003
Exhibit Cases that Preserve

A conservation-grade exhibit case is a well-designed and carefully fabricated display enclosure; it is the most important and cost-effective tool for preserving vulnerable collections on exhibit.  This workshop will address how exhibit cases can protect objects from damage and will include the elements of a preservation-responsible case design; creating protective microclimates; technology readily available for environmental control; the use of safe construction materials; monitoring and maintaining the exhibit after installation; and advances in exhibit case lighting.

Speakers:
Toby Raphael, Museum Exhibition Conservator, National Park Service, Harpers Ferry, WV
Nancy Davis, National Preservation Program Officer, Presidential Libraries, National Archives & Records Administration, College Park, MD
Kevin Brookes, Exhibit Designer/Detailer, Nashbrookes Associates, Inc., Frederick, MD
Joan Irving, Senior Conservator and Head of Paper Section, Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, Philadelphia, PA


December 10, 2003
Conservation Appropriate Mounts & Supports for Exhibit Objects

The exhibit mount is where the exhibit plan and the collection intersect; its design and fabrication are critical to long-term preservation.  This workshop will address how exhibit mounts protect objects from damage and will include the elements of a preservation-responsible mount design; engineering for maximum support; the use of safe construction materials; appropriate padding and vibration dampening; and technology available for special conditions, such as earthquakes.

Speakers:
Robert Sieger, Exhibit Mount and Installation Specialist, Fine Art Service, LLC, Glendale, WI
Shelly Smith, Book Conservator, Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, Philadelphia, PA


****CCAHA will offer a free breakfast roundtable discussion on Fundraising for Preservation-Responsible Exhibitions on Wednesday morning from 7:30am to 8:30am.  Led by CCAHA's Director of Development, Lee Price, the facilitated discussion will specifically focus on the workshop topics that require additional investment.  The roundtable will be limited to 12 registered workshop participants.*****


WORKSHOP LOCATION & TIMES
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia 
19 South 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA
8:30am  Registration and Coffee
9:00am - 4:30pm  Workshops


Funders:
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Independence Foundation, and The Pew Charitable Trusts have provided partial support for these workshops. 

Co-Sponsors: 
Co-sponsors are The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Delaware Valley Archivists Group (DVAG), Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM), Museum Council of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, PALINET, Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL), and Tri-State Coalition of Historic Places.


REGISTRATION FEES:

		Non-Member Fee		CCAHA / Co-Sponsor Member Fee
1 workshop:	$ 85.00			$ 75.00
2 workshops:	$145.00			$135.00
All 3 workshops:	$195.00			$185.00 

Registration cost includes a copy of the electronic publication in CD-ROM format Exhibit Conservation Guidelines, prepared by the Division of Conservation of the National Park Service.


Registrations must be postmarked by Friday, November 21, 2003


For workshop registration forms, information about CCAHA and its programs and services, please visit our Web site at http://www.ccaha.org or contact CCAHA's Preservation Services Office at 215/545.0613 or ccaha@xxxxxxxxx