Preservation of Native American Objects at the South Dakota Art Museum

FAIN: PG-50054-07

South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD 57007-0001)
Lisa Scholten (Project Director: May 2006 to September 2008)

The purchase of supplies and rehousing of American Indian artifacts including leatherwork, pottery, textiles, carvings, jewelry, basketry, and apparel. The collection dates from the late 19th century to the present and represents the material culture of Plains Indians, Hopi, Navajo, Pueblo, and Chippewa tribes.

This project will support the purchase of materials to construct individual storage mounts for 984 objects in the South Dakota Art Museum's Native American Collection. The construction of individual storage mounts is paramount to the museum's preservation plan to address various issues related to its collections. The goal of the project is to construct individually designed storage mounts that will provide adequate support and protection for these culturally significant objects. The storage supports will serve as a means for preventing damage to objects and will assist the curatorial staff in handling the objects when needed for exhibition or research.