New to collection management? Or need a refresher? This three-day course will introduce you to the most important aspects of collection management. Theory and practice combine, giving you a solid foundation for working responsibly and sustainably with heritage collections.
Why this course?
Do you work with archives, art objects, or historical collections? Then you’ll encounter storage, registration, risks, loss prevention, and more. This introductory course will provide you with an overview, insight and practical tools. It’s the ideal foundation for those new to the field or those who want to refresh their knowledge.
For whom?
This course is intended for anyone who works with art, archives, or heritage collections. Think of museum staff, archive managers, depot staff, or volunteers in heritage institutions. It’s also suitable for supporting roles within collection management. (Dutch Proficiency needed.)
Program
Helicon will welcome you in Zoeterwoude, The Netherlands, along with a maximum of 12 participants. The course consists of three days and is structured as follows:
-
Day 1
- 09:00: reception with coffee and tea
- Introduction to collection management: the context
- Break
- Material knowledge
- Lunch
- Registration and photography
- Break
- Introduction to agents of deterioration and climate
- Discussion of homework assignment
- Practical exercise
- ±16:00: End of day 1
-
Day 2
- 09:00: reception with coffee and tea
- Discussion of homework registration
- Deepening: the 10 agents of deterioration
- Composition of an object
- Break
- Introduction to IPM (Integrated Pest Management)
- Lunch
- 8-step approach
- Introduction to Art Handling
- Break
- Practical exercise
- ±16:00: end of day 2
-
Day 3
- 09:00: reception with coffee and tea
- Introduction to CHV (collection emergency assistance)
- Break
- Hazardous substances
- Lunch
- Practical cases
- Break
- Final exam
- ±16:00: end of day 3
Certificate
At the end of day 3, you’ll take a test. We’ll assess your theoretical knowledge and your active participation during the course. If you pass, you’ll receive an official Helicon certificate by mail.
The teacher
The course is taught by Meike van Gemeren. After studying marketing and communication, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Heritage at the Reinwardt Academy. She worked at Artis, among other places, where, as a member of the Education Team, she was responsible for the use of collection items in a variety of activities: from exhibitions and lectures to audio tours and scavenger hunts. Since 2023, Meike has been a lecturer at Helicon. With her broad knowledge of management and conservation, CHV (Collection mergency assistance), and art handling, and her enthusiastic teaching style, she knows how to connect theory and practice in an inspiring way.
