The "preserving jobs that preserve collections" project will help the intermuseum conservation association retain its specialized conservation staff through the downturn in workflow due to the…

The Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA) received a $210,705 project grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the National Leadership Grants program to deliver conservation services that will help regional museums impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its "Preserving Jobs that Preserve Collections" initiative, ICA will retain specialized conservation staff to provide immediate expertise to museums, historical societies, and other collecting organizations. New equipment and a virtual training studio will support the development of ICA's Conservation and Preservation Learning Center for expanded virtual learning opportunities. The project's virtual communication and training capabilities will allow ICA conservators to safely assist stakeholders in navigating the effects of the pandemic as cultural institutions reopen and continue using collections to meet community needs. The two-year award period runs from September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2023.

The "preserving jobs that preserve collections" project will help the intermuseum conservation association retain its specialized conservation staff through the downturn in workflow due to the covid-19 pandemic. The project will enable conservators to provide immediate professional conservation expertise to employees, volunteers, visitors, the public, and others in museums, historical societies, and other collecting organizations. Equipment and software will support the development of a new conservation and preservation learning center as a virtual training studio for expanded field service and virtual communication opportunities for one-on-one and small group interchanges with stakeholders, as well as regularly scheduled virtual learning opportunities with revised content. The project is intended to assist regional museums in navigating the effects of the pandemic so they can access accurate conservation information as they safely reopen and continue to use collections to support programming to meet community needs.