Vibratory Impacts of Music and Transport on Museum Collections Webinar Series

Webinar

Tuesday, April 18, 2023–Tuesday, April 25, 2028
Online
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Description

Please note: This program will be presented twice—first on April 18 and again on April 25. Both programs will begin at 2:00 PM GMT/10:00 AM EDT.

Protecting museum collections from vibrations due to building construction and refurbishment is a recognized concern. More recently, museums and cultural heritage organizations around the world have been taking note of the potential impacts that vibrations from music can have on their collections, and new questions are being raised about vibrations during transport.

The findings of a research questionnaire into these topics, Vibratory Impacts of Music and Transport on Museum Collections, were recently released. Over 150 respondents from 138 institutions around the world participated by providing detailed information about their current practices and experiences with vibrations of their collections during musical events and transport of objects.

In this complimentary 90-minute webinar in partnership with ARCS and AIC, the research group behind the questionnaire will present findings from the report and provide a forum for your questions and discussion.

By the end of the webinar, you will be able to:

• Describe common experiences of museums worldwide related to the vibratory effects of musical events and transport on their collections.
• Detail practices and precautions being taken by museums and cultural heritage organizations to protect their collections from vibrations during musical events and transport.
• Discuss possible next steps to develop practical guidelines for protecting collections during musical events and to update guidelines regarding transport.

Webinar participants are encouraged to read the research report in advance of the webinar, and to bring questions, especially those focused on what further research, initiatives, working groups, etc. would best lead to practical guidelines for use in the field. 

Speakers and Panelists

• Arne Johnson, Principal Structural Engineer, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Northbrook, Illinois
• Dr. Catherine Higgitt, Principal Scientist, Scientific Department, The National Gallery, London
• Mark Ryan, Assistant Director for Collections & Exhibitions, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, St. Louis, Missouri
• Dr. W. (Bill) Wei, Senior Conservation Scientist, Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE)

Panelists

• JP Brown, Regenstein Conservator, The Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois
• Peter Henson, Practice Consultant, and Tomasz Galikowski, Associate Acoustic Engineer, Bickerdike Allen Partners, London
• Dr. Mohamed ElBatanouny, Senior Structural Engineer, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Northbrook, Illinois