University of Delaware Museums: Planning for Consolidated and Sustainable Collections
FAIN: PF-50028-10
University of Delaware (Newark, DE 19711-3651)
Janis Angela Tomlinson (Project Director: December 2009 to September 2011)
Planning for reallocation of space to improve energy consumption and environmental conditions for the care, storage, and preservation of a diverse collection of over 12,000 paintings, photographs, and art objects.
A Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) report in 2009 recommended that the space usage in two University Museums' buildings (Old College and the adjacent Mechanical Hall) be reviewed and reformulated. Funding is sought to bring the authors of the report back to the university to undertake this essential next step. Far more than a consultancy, this project will enable two internationally recognized experts on environmental management and collections conservation--Michael C. Henry and Wendy Claire Jessup--to work with an interdisciplinary team of museum staff, students, and faculty. Together, they will analyze the environmental systems, building envelopes, and collections storage needs in order to create a comprehensive space allocation plan to optimize usage and environment in existing museum spaces. The university will support this project by waiving indirect costs, providing support for Mr. Henry to teach a course in Art Conservation, and cover costs for Museums and Facilities staff.