Collection Preservation Assessment and Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Plan

FAIN: PG-252739-17

Leslie/Lohman Gay Art Foundation (New York, NY 10013-2227)
Hunter O'Hanian (Project Director: April 2016 to June 2019)

A preservation assessment of the Leslie/Lohman Gay Art Foundation’s artist and institutional files and a workshop on collections care for staff of local cultural heritage organizations. The collection includes unique files on over 2,000 LGBTQ artists who exhibited in New York City, as well as institutional files dating from 1969–85 chronicling over 200 exhibits and the LGBTQ art scene during the AIDS crisis, among other events.

To conduct a preservation assessment of the Museum‘s files examining policies and practices supporting collection preservation, assess current storage and condition of artist and institutional files (146 linear ft.), identify preservation and conservation needs of the materials contained, and recommend preservation and conservation actions needed for future care and sustainability of these files. It will provide staff training covering archival collections care, handling techniques, housing and storage strategies, and supply selection. The files contain information relating to national and international LGBTQ art makers from the last quarter of the 20th century which in some cases, researchers state, has not been available elsewhere. Also, a 3-hour training workshop will review key concepts of emergency preparedness including risk assessment, response procedures, and recovery actions. This workshop, hosted by the Museum, will be open to other local area cultural organizations.