Vote for Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts

Contact:Christina E. Newton, Assistant Director cnewton@vamuseums.org 804.358.3170 Virginia Association of Museums

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR VIRGINIA'S TOP 10 ENDANGERED ARTIFACTS 2014 COMPETITION Richmond, VA - The Virginia Association of Museums (www.vamuseums.org) is pleased to announce the nominated artifacts for the 2014 Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts program. The public is invited to vote for their favorite endangered artifact and may also donate toward their conservation starting August 4th. Having received the most nominations to date with nearly 40 entries from across the Commonwealth of Virginia and Washington, D.C., the 2014 program is due to be exciting. Access the full list of 2014 nominees here.    Magnificent regalia of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, haunting Civil War era graffiti, a 1930s German Box Car, and the tombstone of the founder of Virginia Tech are but a few of the outstanding items nominated this year. Whether a museum, historic house, library, or historical society, there are a vast array of collecting institutions working to maintain our communities' treasures, and this care can be time-consuming and expensive. The Top 10 program helps bring awareness to the efforts museum professionals put forth daily as stewards of our history, culture and heritage. It also provides an easy opportunity for the public to get engaged by voting for their favorite artifact.     The public is invited to take part by casting their votes in an online voting poll at www.vatop10artifacts.org. Those wishing to make a lasting impact can also make a donation to the conservation of any of the 36 nominated artifacts. The final Top 10 Honorees will be selected by an independent review panel of collections and conservation experts and will be announced on September 9.     "This is the fourth year of our program, and we are so proud of the results that we are already seeing," says Jennifer Thomas, executive director. "Each year we have more public involvement in our online voting, more objects being nominated, and more past honorees being conserved and saved. The program is definitely fulfilling its mission to raise awareness of the work museums do every day to care for the objects under their protection."   The timeline for the program is as follows: August 4 - 23, 2014: Online voting takes place. The public may vote for their favorite endangered objects and make a donation toward conservation at: www.vatop10artifacts.org. Voting closes at midnight, EST, on August 23.   September 9, 2014: The Virginia Association of Museums will announce Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts Honorees for 2014. Please visit www.vatop10artifacts.org for updated information and a list of nominees. Photographs available upon request.    Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts is a project of the Virginia Association of Museums and was originally funded through an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Connecting to Collections Statewide Implementation Grant. The program has been replicated in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Colorado due to its success.  ###   The Virginia Association of Museums serves as the resource network of the Virginia and Washington, DC museum community through education, technical assistance, and advocacy. Find out more by visiting www.vamuseums.org.

Job Opening

Job Title:   Senior Preparator Location: BRUTON HEIGHTS WALLACE CONSERVATION BUILDING Benefits Eligible: Yes Starting Rate: Up to $19.00/hour Additional Benefits: Type of Position: Full-Time Work Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours weekly, including occasional evenings, weekends and holidays for special events Requires Valid Virginia Drivers License: Yes Minimum Age: 21   JOB DESCRIPTION: The Senior Preparator is responsible for protecting and preserving Colonial Williamsburg’s irreplaceable cultural assets by utilizing best museum practices in storage, packing, handling, and moving the Foundation’s collections.   Coordinates and leads teams of colleagues to plan, install and de-install collections objects into the Historic Area Buildings and in exhibits at the Museums.   Directs and participates in moves of fragile and sometimes heavy furniture and other collections objects at all seasonal changes and preventive maintenance closings.   Serves as lead courier to transport safely and responsibly collections within the Foundation and to and from lenders, dealers, and auction houses, occasionally requiring out-of-state travel.   Packs collections for travel in Collections vehicles within and outside of the Foundation including soft-packing and crating.   Designs and creates archival supports and containers appropriate for transport and storage of collections.   Resolves complex packing and transportation arrangements as they arise for object moves using accepted museum practices.   Develops safe object movement training program together with collections and conservation staff.  Conducts refresher training for staff as needed and regular training for new collections and conservation employees.   Revises and maintains an up-to-date Foundation Art Handling Manual for use by the collections and conservation staff. Computer   Produces correspondence, reports, and records using Microsoft Word.   Prepares reports using TMS (The Museum System), a collections management database, for collections moves and inventories.   Inventories collections as assigned by Registrar.   Documents collections movements as appropriate according to established museum record-keeping procedures.   Participates in emergency preparation and disaster recovery activities.   Manages the care of Collections vehicles including maintaining them in proper working order, stocking them with specialized art handling equipment and supplies, outfitting them for transport of collections objects, and keeping detailed vehicle records.   Maintains well-organized and clean receiving room and storage facilities.   Ensures appropriate materials and tools for transporting collections objects are available and ready for use in the receiving room and maintain records of them.   Inventories the receiving room tools and specialized art moving equipment and supplies annually.   Works with contract art shipping companies and private and institutional lenders as necessary to ship and receive CWF collections and loans.   Maintains open, two-way communication between the Collections department and other departments whose activities may impact the collections.   Represents CWF with a high degree of professionalism and discretion when dealing with colleagues, lenders, donors, volunteers, etc.; maintains professional demeanor.   Maintains and continually increases level of professional expertise through attendance at professional workshops and conferences and contact with others in the field.   Follows established security and safety procedures.      JOB REQUIREMENTS: Final candidates are to present in person to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Employment Office a valid driver’s license and an original Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).  The MVR is to be no older than 30 days, issued by the same state as the driver’s license, and must cover the past seven years.  Within 60 days new residents must obtain a Virginia driver’s license   Good knowledge of best practices and professional standards for collections care, packing and handling   Proficiency in the use of a computer, including basic word processing and collections management software   Demonstrated art handling skills including good manual dexterity   Ability to use hand tools and power equipment necessary for collections handling preparation in a museum setting and the demonstrated interest in art and historic artifacts and sensitivity to the significance and special needs of museum collections.   Demonstrated ability to: (1) communicate effectively and follow instructions orally and in writing, (2) act as a mentor or leader, (3) work cooperatively and productively as a member of a team, (4) work independently and problem-solve as needs arise, and (5) make best use of time and limited resources, using facilities, materials, equipment, buildings and objects efficiently, effectively and with reasonable and appropriate care   Knowledge of materials appropriate for use with Collections   Demonstrated patience and attention to detail;   Above skills generally gained through completion of a four-year degree in related field,  plus 2 years of collections experience in storage, packing and installation, and inventory, or a high school diploma or G.E.D. with 7 years of practical training and experience;   Ability to: (1) work outdoors in varying weather conditions and come in daily contact with pollen, dust and mold, (2) lift and carry 50 pounds, and (3) move collections up and down stairs, and perform duties while bending, stooping or kneeling, and be physically fit.   Ability to perform various functions such as standing, walking, lifting, climbing, seeing and working in varying light conditions and close quarters, and participate in strenuous activities.   Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and an acceptable driving record as measured against Colonial Williamsburg’s criteria.   Highly Desirable: Kowledge of 18th- and early 19th-century fine art and decorative arts and American folk art. Skills in metalworking, woodworking, or other media and extensive experience using hoists, lifts and other material handling equipment. Collections management or museum registration experience. Familiarity with collections management database, TMS.

Job link

Local IPM Conference

 Integrated Pest Management Conference:
MuseumPests.net goes live at Colonial Williamsburg! After 10 years of creating online IPM resources for the museum, library/archive and historic site community we are partnering with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to hold a two-day conference and workshop program. Come meet and connect faces to the colleagues whose digital signatures you've seen on the PestList. 

 When  

 Thursday, March 27, 2014  -  Friday, March 28, 2014 

Learn more about this event, click here!

Art Preparator/Carpenter Needed at Chrysler Museum of Art!

Primary Purpose: Prepares objects for display, storage, and travel.
Essential Functions:  Installs and de-installs temporary and permanent exhibitions. Provides technical support for all exhibitions; Assists with care of the museum’s collection and collection storage areas; Participates in all phases of art movement within the museum, including the permanent collection, loans to the museum, and incoming and outgoing exhibitions; Prepares artwork for display (e.g. matting, framing, mounting, glazing, installation of hardware); Makes and/or modifies pedestals, platforms, blocks, or other exhibition furniture or furnishings; Prepares artwork for travel (e.g. lining crates, soft packing, etc.). Provides transport as necessary; Assists with the preparation of labels and text panels.\; Performs other duties as assigned or required.
Required Education/Experience: High School or equivalent education is required, BA/BS in a related field is preferred. Must have 2+ years experience in art handling, including framing, matting, mounting, and/or exhibitions installation. Finish carpentry experience required.
Working Conditions: Position will be based in busy environments and will be subject to frequent interruptions, and will require interaction with the public. Will be required to work with power tools of various types. Must be meticulous and able to work as part of a team to accomplish challenging tasks. Prior museum experience is strongly preferred.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to climb ladders and work at varying heights. Must be able to lift and carry delicate and awkward items weighing up to 75 lbs without assistance, including up ladders, and more with assistance. Requires intermittent standing, walking, sitting, squatting, stretching, and bending throughout the workday. Must be able to see and hear, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Please contact Devon Dargan, Registrar, collections via email ddargan@chrysler.org

ARCS Inaugural Conference

The Association of Registrars and Collections Specialists (ARCS) will hold their inaugural conference in Chicago, Illinois on October 31-November 3, 2013.  The international conference program will include general sessions for all attendees, as well as breakout sessions focused on collections care topics and networking opportunities. 

Registration opens on Friday, February 15, 2013.  More information regarding travel awards for students and professionals will be available in the near future.  In the meantime, please visit the conference website www.arcsconference2013.org to learn more about the conference and to find out how to propose a session!

Southeastern Museums Conference in Williamsburg

The Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) annual meeting will be in Williamsburg November 7 – 9, 2012.  There are a number of Southeastern Registrars Association (SERA) endorsed sessions and below is a sampling of collections management topics.

 

November 7

1-2:15 PM

·         New Directions in Theft Prevention

·         You have Collection/Digital Questions? We have answers!

2:45-4 PM

·         Putting Collections Online: True Stories of What Happens Next

9:30- 10:30 PM

·         Registrar’s Respite

November 8

10:45 AM-12 PM

·         Dusting and Delegating: Historic Housekeeping 101

2-3:15 PM

·         Curatorial Roundtable: Collections

2-4:30 PM

·         The Basics of Writing Furnishing Plans

3:30-4:45 PM

·         Stairway to Heaven: Approaches to Managing Large Collection Projects

November 9

9-10:15 AM

·         Insurance Claims: “Oh No! The Painting Fell Off the Wall!”

10:30-11:45 AM

·         Native American Graves Protection Repatriation Act NAGPRA: The Inventory

·         Condition Reports: A Necessary “Evil”

1:45-2:45 PM

·         SERA Behind the Scenes Tour: Dewitt Wallace Collections and Conservation Building

 
Register for the meeting here.  Also, HRRG is attempting to put together an impromptu meet up so stay tuned for further details.

 

September is National Preparedness Month

 

Source: www.whitehouse.gov

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As thousands of our fellow Americans respond to and recover from the damage done by Hurricane Isaac, we are called to remember that throughout our history, emergencies and natural disasters have tested the fabric of our country. During National Preparedness Month, we renew our commitment to promoting emergency preparedness in homes, businesses, and communities nationwide, and to building an America more ready and resilient than ever before.

Each of us has an important role to play in bolstering our preparedness for disasters of all types -- from cyber incidents and acts of terrorism to tornadoes and flooding. That is why my Administration is pursuing an approach to emergency management that engages the whole community -- from Federal, State, local, and tribal governments to the private sector, nonprofits, faith based organizations, and the general public. I encourage all Americans to visit www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov to learn more about the risks facing their communities, find out what they can do to prepare, and join thousands of individuals from coast to coast by becoming a member of the National Preparedness Coalition. Individuals and families can also take action by building a disaster supply kit with food, water, and essential supplies in case of emergency, and by developing and sharing an emergency plan with their loved ones.

As cities and towns across our country recover from natural disasters that have spanned historic drought to devastating wildfires and storms, we are reminded of the spirit of resilience that binds us together as one people and as one American family. This month, let us honor that spirit by standing with all those affected by recent severe weather, as well as past disasters, and by taking the steps we can to protect our loved ones and our communities before disaster strikes.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2012 as National Preparedness Month. I encourage all Americans to recognize the importance of preparedness and observe this month by working together to enhance our national security, resilience, and readiness.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA