Devising storage solutions that mitigate damage to collections from both threats small and expected, and large and catastrophic is a core task for preservation professionals. Doing so in a way that makes use of an institution’s human, financial and material resources makes this task an even bigger challenge.
To help meet this challenge FAIC, with funding from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, created STASH (Storage Techniques for Art, Science and History collections)
www.stashc.com, a web-based resource to share well-designed storage solutions. The site contains the original entries from the printed text,
Storage of Natural History Collections: Ideas and Practical Solutions, originally published by the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC), and, since the site's launch in 2014, new submissions on innovative and creative storage solutions including projects that were presented at the 2014 and 2015 STASH Flash sessions as part of AIC’s annual meetings. The website project is interdisciplinary and the site’s editorial board is composed of representatives from a range of allied organizations
As in the previous two years, the 2016 session will utilize a lightening round or “Tips” session format, as well as guided, audience participatory discussion. The selections will be presented in a format that closely aligns with web site entries, allowing presentations to be easily reformatted for online submission after the conference. Presentations will be followed by small group discussions where individuals from different specialties have the opportunity to talk about the modifications, materials choice as well as other creative ways to carry out these projects. In 2016 two themes are proposed for the call for submissions:
- Building on the conference theme, presentations will be solicited on storage mounts that were either specifically designed to mitigate against the threat of a disaster or inappropriate environment, or presentations that assess how rehousing solutions performed in protecting (or not protecting) collections in a disaster or emergency event.
- Building on a topic that came out of the 2015 STASH Flash discussion session and the TSG Tips session, the second proposed theme focuses on multi-function mounts; supports that serve storage, travel or exhibition purposes.
- Innovative storage solutions for individual or collection groups that do not conform to either theme may be accepted if space allows.
Organizer biographies Rachael Perkins Arenstein – Project Leader for STASH. Rachael is currently the Conservator at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem while remaining active in her US based private practice which focuses on preventive care projects. She is a Professional Associate of AIC. As AIC’s e-Editor, she oversees the development of professional content on AIC online platforms. Rachael has experience writing and creating websites on preservation topics including the Museumpests website www.museumpests.net, Paleontology Portal – Collections Management http://collections.paleo.amnh.org/, and Paleontology Portal – Fossil Preparation http://preparation.paleo.amnh.org/.
Shelly Uhlir – is an Exhibition Specialist/Mount-Maker at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. She is also a founder and leader of the MountMakers Forum
www.conservation-wiki/mountmaking. Her areas of professional interest include: design, fabrication, and installation of mounts for both exhibition and photography; technical expertise on mount-making standards and design review, mannequin-making.
N.B. STASH Editorial Committee Chair Lisa Goldberg has a personal commitment that prevents her from attending the 2016 meeting but she will be actively involved in the session planning and follow-up.
