The conservation center for art and historic artifacts (ccaha) will develop a framework for the stewardship of museum collections during periods of institutional change, such as organizational…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts $180,558 on September 1, 2026, under the National Leadership Grants program (CFDA 45.312) to develop a framework for the stewardship of museum collections during periods of institutional change, including organizational closures, mergers, or shifts in strategic focus.

CCAHA will work with a consultant to design a framework grounded in evidence-based conflict resolution theory. The project deliverables include conflict-resolution tools and a resource toolkit containing forms and templates, a resource bank of published materials, and case studies from organizations that have navigated institutional challenges. The toolkit targets staff at small museums and historic sites stewarding collections for organizations in transition, aiming to ensure best practices for collections care are prioritized regardless of organizational outcome.

The award period runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028. Work is performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. National Leadership Grants support projects addressing critical needs in the museum and library fields with potential to advance practice and generate widely used, adapted, scaled, or replicated models, tools, research findings, services, practices, and alliances.

The conservation center for art and historic artifacts (ccaha) will develop a framework for the stewardship of museum collections during periods of institutional change, such as organizational closures, mergers, or shifts in strategic focus. Ccaha will work with a consultant to design a framework grounded in evidence-based conflict resolution theory. Project staff will create conflict-resolution tools as well as generate a resource toolkit. The toolkit will include forms and templates, a resource bank of published resources, and a collection of case studies from organizations who have navigated institutional challenges. The project will benefit staff at small museums and historic sites who are stewarding collections for organizations in transition to ensure best practices for collections are prioritized through any outcome.