Session 1: Introduction and Course Presentation.

This is a one-hour-only welcome session. The lecturer will introduce the program and participants will introduce themselves. No prior preparation is necessary.

Session 2: Introduction to Art Collection Management and Museum Collections. 

• A brief historical introduction to the formation of art collections, including their origins, and types.
• The missions and objectives of collections in museums.
• Key players and roles involved in collecting and managing collections

Session 3: Acquisition, Loans, and Transportation in Collection Management

• Policies, procedures, and decision-making for artwork acquisition
• Policies, procedures, and logistics for lending and borrowing artworks.
• Insurance coverage for acquiring or lending artworks
• Best practices for the safe transport of artworks, including proper handling, packaging, and security during transit.

Session 4: Maintenance, Cataloging, and Preventive Conservation of Collections

• Techniques and strategies for maintaining collections, including inventory management, cataloging, and digital tools to organize and track artworks efficiently.
• Preventive conservation practices, including environmental controls (temperature, humidity) and routine condition checks.
• Risk assessment strategies to safeguard art collections from damage or deterioration, including disaster preparedness and security protocols.

Session 5: Evaluation, Growth, and Long-Term Preservation of the Collection

• Strategies for expanding the collection in a balanced and thoughtful manner, including curatorial decisions and acquisition planning.
• Approaches to promoting, exhibiting, and sharing the collection with the public.
• Methods and tools for regularly assessing the collection’s relevance, condition, and value.