Paris Gibson Square Collection Storage

FAIN: PG-50431-08

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art (Great Falls, MT 59401-3205)
Robert Anthony Durden (Project Director: May 2007 to July 2009)

A preservation assessment of the museum's collections, consisting primarily of American Primitive wood sculptures and modern and contemporary art of the Northwest and Native American art of the Northwest and the Plains. Purchase of shelving, supplies, and environmental monitoring equipment would improve storage conditions for the collections.

The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art proposes to contract with Independent Conservator, Carmen F. Bria, Jr., Western Center for the Conservation of Fine Arts, to provide a follow-up assessment of the Museum's Permanent Collection and proceed with recommendations that result from the assessment. The Museum's last assessment was completed in 1994. Since that time, the historic building has been renovated to repair and restore its structural and historic integrity which subsequently affected the storage and exhibition spaces, and the collection has grown dramatically in size and content. The intent of the proposed assessment is threefold: 1. to provide a critical assessment of the Museum's collection management and the changing needs of the collection; 2. to address immediate needs for updated storage furniture, measuring instruments and conservation materials; and 3. to address long-range strategic needs for storage furniture to accommodate continued growth in the collection.