Accepting Abstracts for the 2019 Safety and Cultural Heritage Summit: Preserving Our Heritage and Protecting Our Health

Accepting Abstracts for the 2019 Safety and Cultural Heritage Summit: Preserving Our Heritage and Protecting Our Health

The Washington Conservation Guild, the Potomac Section of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management, and the Smithsonian National Collection Program will once again collaborate with the Lunder Conservation Center to host a Safety and Cultural Heritage Summit.

Wednesday, 30 October 2019
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
McEvoy Auditorium, Smithsonian American Art Museum, G and 8th Streets, NW, Washington DC

Exterior of gothic revival building with columns and pediment at night
Exterior of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

We are now accepting abstracts focusing on controlling health and safety risks from preparing, treating, managing, and exhibiting artistic, historic, and natural science collections as well as abating structural hazards and responding to disasters impacting collections. We welcome case studies and encourage joint presentations by conservators, collections care professionals, AND health & safety professionals!

Previous Summit topics can be found here: 2018 Summit Program Abstracts. Other examples include:

  • Safety challenges in gallery exhibit installation
  • Exposure assessments and remediation of unique hazards in museum collections,
  • Hazardous material abatement in historic houses
  • Risks posed by conservation treatments and safe work policies for conservation laboratories
  • Preparedness and emergency response in collections

Presenters have 2 submission options:

  • A podium presentation of 20 minutes, with 5-10 minutes for questions (30 min. max)
  • A lightning round presentation of 5 minutes.  Q/A segment may follow as a group

Posters will be accepted but only if content can be reduced to a readable 8 ½ x 11 or folded 11×17 sheet handout, as there is no available space at venue for mounted poster presentations.

Abstracts must specify your submission preference and should not exceed 300 words. Questions Welcome!  Please send your presentation and poster abstracts to safety-summit@washingtonconservationguild.org by COB August 1, 2019.