The hispanic society museum and library will undertake a project to assess, catalogue, and rehouse its significant works on paper collection, comprising over 10,000 objects including rare drawings…

The Hispanic Society of America received a $377,630 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301), effective October 1, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2028. The award supports a comprehensive collections stewardship initiative focused on assessing, cataloging, and rehousing the institution's significant works on paper collection comprising over 10,000 objects, including rare drawings by Francisco de Goya, colonial-era works by Juan Rodriguez Juarez, and watercolors by Pancho Fierro. Current storage conditions present critical preservation risks, with many works improperly housed in non-archival containers.

Deliverables under this grant include condition assessments and photographic documentation of collection items, preparation of conservation reports, updates to collections management records, urgent conservation treatments, and implementation of archival-quality storage solutions. A graduate conservation specialist will contribute technical expertise in works on paper assessment and rehousing activities. Upon completion, curators and scholarly researchers will benefit from improved access to these materials for exhibition planning and academic research purposes, advancing both preservation and scholarly utilization of the Hispanic Society's cultural heritage resources.

The hispanic society museum and library will undertake a project to assess, catalogue, and rehouse its significant works on paper collection, comprising over 10,000 objects including rare drawings by francisco DE goya, colonial-ERA works by juan rodríguez juárez, and watercolors by pancho fierro. Current storage conditions pose critical preservation challenges, with many works stacked in drawers and non-archival boxes, creating unnecessary pressure and potential damage to these inherently fragile materials. Activities include conducting condition assessments, creating photo documentation, preparing conservation reports, updating collections management records, performing urgent conservation treatments, and implementing proper archival storage solutions. A graduate conservation student specializing in works on paper will assist with assessment and rehousing activities. Primary beneficiaries include museum curators and scholarly researchers who will gain improved access to these significant materials for exhibition planning and academic study.