Michigan State University (Michigan State University Museum)

Michigan State University Museum will conduct general conservation surveys of the museum's natural science and cultural collections and begin to implement short-term care and rehousing improvements. A team of four visiting consultants will bring expertise in the care and conservation of natural science specimens, cultural objects, paper materials and documents, and textiles. The surveys will include broad assessments of environmental conditions in the museum facilities, exhibits, and collections spaces. Consultants will identify conservation problems and provide prioritized recommendations for future conservation activities. While on campus each consultant will deliver a collections care presentation in his or her area of expertise to a live campus audience and simultaneously to a virtual audience via web conference. Collections staff, with the help of two student assistants, will then begin to implement recommended activities. After the close of the project, the reports and outstanding recommendations will be used to inform components of a new long-range strategic plan to advance stewardship of MSU Museum collections.