Program

Preservation and Access: Preservation Assistance Grants

Period of Performance

9/1/2021 - 2/29/2024

Funding Totals

$10,000.00 (approved)
$10,000.00 (awarded)


Tobias Collection Rehousing Project

FAIN: PG-280733-21

William Paterson University (Wayne, NJ 07470-2103)
Casey Mathern (Project Director: January 2021 to October 2024)

The rehousing of the Joan and Gordon Tobias Collection of African and Oceanic Art in archival enclosures and purchase of furniture that would promote preservation and optimize storage space. The Tobias Collection is comprised of approximately 530 artifacts that can be grouped as carved wooden sculptures and masks, body ornamentation, amulets, ceremonial materials, basketry artifacts, and prints. This proposed project would implement preservation plans recommended in previous conservation assessments to ensure the long-term availability of the collection. These artifacts, made of wood, natural fibers, and organic materials, are particularly vulnerable to environmental fluctuations, which would be mitigated with proper storage.

The NEH Preservation Assistance Grant would allow the William Paterson University Galleries to permanently rehouse the Joan and Gordon Tobias Collection of African and Oceanic Art in archival enclosures for preservation and to optimize storage space. The Tobias Collection is comprised of approximately 530 artifacts, ranging from utilitarian artifacts to ceremonial materials. The goal of the proposed project is to implement recommendations from the previous conservation assessment and collections storage improvement plan that will ensure the long-term preservation of the collection. This project will allow the University Galleries to continue its humanities mission of fostering critical thinking skills by introducing audiences to global art and material culture and hands-on opportunities that enliven diverse cultural and social themes.