Understanding and Using Risk Assessments at Cultural Institutions
Risk Assessments are the perfect starting point when creating or updating emergency plans and preparing for the next hazardous event. Fully understanding a cultural institution’s risk clarifies the comprehensive mitigation and preparedness needs that will have the highest impact with the least number of resources. However, calculating risks and using that information to inform administrators and funders can be daunting and often discourage cultural heritage professionals for utilizing this tool.
This workshop will give the participants the skills they need not only tackle a risk assessment, but also positively use the results. The first part will focus on types of hazards likely to impact cultural institutions and how to complete an informative risk assessment. The second part will provide guidance on how to interpret a risk assessment and test the results of mitigation and preparedness plans.
All aspects of this training are helpful and relevant to professionals working within or for a cultural institution. Case studies and breakout groups will be used throughout to help with comprehension of the topic. The breakout group activities will also start participants on their risk assessment journey with the support of other participants. Because we will be utilizing break out groups, it is helpful to have audio and video capabilities. Having a device connected to the internet will assist with breakout group activities (phone or computer) as it will require some online research.
A recording of this event will be shared with registered participants, though any activity in breakout rooms cannot be captured.
Program
1:00 – 1:45: Understanding risk and risk assessments: presentation and breakout groups session
1:45 – 2:00: Break
2:00 – 2:45: Risk assessment implementation and mitigation
2:45 – 3:00: Questions from participants
Your Presenter
Rebecca Kennedy, founder of Curae Collections Care, LLC, has over 15 years' experience with a variety of collections and cultural institutions, including 11 years in preservation and collections management at the Smithsonian Institution. As a consultant she has had the opportunity to work with over 20 cultural institutions worldwide on collections care projects. Rebecca holds an MA in Museum Studies from The George Washington University and a certification in First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis from ICCROM. Rebecca is also Chair of the Association of Registrars and Collections Specialists’ Emergency Committee, former chair of the DC Alliance for Response Steering Committee, and former inaugural member of the Smithsonian’s Preparedness and Response in Collections Emergency (PRICE) group. In the last 6 years, she has responded to dozens of institutional and national declared emergencies in a support capacity. Rebecca is an instructor for the George Washington University’s Museum Studies program, teaching Legal and Ethics. She also serves on committees for the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and the Association of Registrars and Collections Specialist (ARCS) to support the museum field as well is an editor for the Collection Journal. She is also a Professional Associate (PA) of AIC for her contributions as an allied professional to the conservation community.
Attending an Online Workshop
To participate in this online workshop you will need access to a computer or mobile device with an internet connection. We will be using Zoom to host this workshop as an online videoconference. Once you register, you will immediately be sent instructions for logging in via automatically sent email.
If you do not have access to a computer or mobile device with an internet connection, you will still be able to call in on a telephone, but you will unfortunately not be able to see any of the participants or visuals.
Online registration will be open through May 2. Attendance is limited to 90 people; register soon to save your spot!
Registration for MAM members is $20. Non-members pay $35.
Members of MAM enjoy discounted registration (MAM members please log in first). If you're not a MAM member, join today!
