All Together Now: Working with External Stakeholders

An object may have many hands involved in its placement and lifecycle within an archive, library, or museum. The working relationships between external stakeholders and cultural institutions form an integral part of collections management and care, especially for small to mid-size organizations. This four-part webinar series will examine best practices and important guidelines to consider when working with four specific external stakeholders: artifact donors, fine art service companies, professional conservators, and digitization vendors. Each thirty-minute session will spotlight one important partner, from the donor who provides an object’s initial care and context, to the fine art service company that offers custom packing and transportation, to conservator whose treatment skills repair and conserve, to a digitization vendor that helps process and preserve collections for digital spaces.

The series included the following sessions:

All Together Now: Working with External Stakeholders- Session 1, Preservation Practices with Donors (March 9th, 2022)

Topics in this webinar include tips for communicating with artifact donors on preservation efforts before and after the formal transfer of ownership, what to consider when arranging packing and transport of an item from a private residence to the institution, and important collections management practices to consider during the acquisition process.

All Together Now: Working with External Stakeholders- Session 2, Working with Art Service Providers (March 16th, 2022)

Topics in this webinar will include an overview of what fine art service providers offer, common methods for domestic packing and ground transport, what information is needed to help you obtain a quote, and tips for what to consider when selecting your provider.

All Together Now: Working with External Stakeholders- Session 3, What to Expect when Working with a Conservator (March 23th, 2022)

Topics in this webinar will include a close-up look at what professional conservators do, what to expect during the conservation assessment and treatment process, the benefits of a condition report, and tips for finding and selecting a specialized conservator.

All Together Now: Working with External Stakeholders- Session 4, Making Decisions About Digitization (March 30th, 2022)

Topics in this webinar will address the importance of a digitization plan and getting started, how to determine if collections are appropriate and stable enough for digitization, and considerations for prioritizing material for digital exhibition.