No matter what type of museum you work in, properly managing the institution’s collection is a core function—and a monumental undertaking. In museum collections, our world’s most invaluable objects are not only publicly accessible but actively defended from the forces of decay that would otherwise befall them. Thanks to the tireless efforts of generations of […]| American Alliance of Museums
Museums strive to be permanent institutions that make cultural objects accessible for the benefit of society. Does this mission imply that museum collections must also be permanent, or can objects be transient? When is it acceptable to remove objects from museum ownership? And who decides? This Point of View originally appeared in the Sept/Oct 2025 issue of […]| American Alliance of Museums
When asked to teach a museum administration class about collections management, Melanie Deer centered the discussion on the 10 Agents of Deterioration (10 Agents), which focus heavily on the traditional “preservation forever” approach. She mentioned culturally based care and then said, “but that’s another discussion.” That weekend she asked herself, “Why? Why should it be […]| American Alliance of Museums
Environmental sustainability is an urgent global priority, and cultural institutions are striving to do their part. Many are exploring greener practices, including reducing energy use and waste and adopting more sustainable transportation methods. In 2023, the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) endorsed the updated Bizot Green Protocol, […]| American Alliance of Museums
A new study examines the relationship between energy, carbon, and T/RH parameters in collecting institutions. As part of their mission-driven work, museums are committed to protecting and preservin…| American Alliance of Museums
