Preservation Assessment of the Fine Art Collection

FAIN: PG-50504-09

Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls (Fergus Falls, MN 56537-1009)
Gary P. Henrickson (Project Director: May 2008 to October 2011)

A consultant who would conduct a general preservation assessment and produce recommendations for actions to improve the care of the fine art collection, which consists of objects in a wide range of media, including sculpture, oil paintings and watercolors, woodcuts, wood carvings, drawings, glassware, and ceramics. The collections are integrated into the curriculum in visual arts, English composition, and film, and works are loaned to other galleries in the region.

MSCTC-Fergus Falls would like to engage a conservator to conduct a general preservation assessment and draft a long-range plan for the care of the Permanent Collection and Charles Beck Gallery holdings. The current college collection includes over 400 pieces of original art and is viewed daily by hundreds of people. It is one of the most outstanding public institution collections in our region and continues to grow. This long-range care plan would include developing a disaster response plan; establishing environmental monitoring plans, including pest management, security, and fire protection; studying light levels in the existing gallery spaces; developing plans to improve existing cataloging of the collection; evaluating existing storage and developing plans for improved storage; and assessing the conservation needs of the collection. The consultant would also be asked to propose a list of preservation supplies and to assist the college in developing appropriate staff training.