Call for Participation in the 

4th Conference on Partnership Opportunities for Federally Associated Collections

 

December 5 - 7, 2002

Washington, DC

 

Hosted by

Department of the Interior

Smithsonian Institution

 

Sponsored by

Department of the Interior Museum Program

Smithsonian National Collections Program

Marine Corps History and Museums Division

 

In Partnership with the

Interagency Federal Collections Alliance

 

FEDERALLY ASSOCIATED COLLECTIONS

Millions of artifacts and specimens collected as a result of Federal activities are held in public trust by more than one thousand Federal and non-federal institutions throughout the United States.  This training conference provides a forum to foster communication and cooperation among Federal agencies and non-federal institutions.  It encourages agencies and partner institutions to create new and revive old partnerships, and to strengthen strategies for managing Federally Associated collections of all kinds.

 

AN INVITATION

You are invited to participate in Partnership Opportunities for Federally Associated Collections.  Deliver a paper, host an event, or present a training workshop.  Plan to participate in the in-depth analysis of issues and in the lively exchange of ideas for improving how we manage our collected national heritage to increase public access and public benefit.

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

·         Federal collection managers, curators, and other professionals

·         Staff of state and private institutions that hold Federally Associated collections

·         Managers of Federal agencies

·         Tribal representatives

·         University collections managers and curators

·         Contractors and staff of consulting firms

·         Researchers, educators, and students of archeology, history, art, and natural history collections

 

CONFERENCE THEMES AND SUGGESTED TOPICS

Conference plenary and breakout discussions will be organized around the following broad themes.

  

CHANGING RULES

·         Changing perspectives on security, disaster preparedness, and accountability

·         Changing professional standards for long-term care of collections

·         New rules for reporting of heritage assets such as museum collections

·         How can accounting for our heritage assets be used to improve the care of Federally Associated museum collections?

 

WORKING SMARTER

·         Using appropriate acquisition tools and formal agreements between agencies and institutions to better manage costs of agency compliance and collection management responsibilities

·         Strengthening stewardship of publicly owned collections

·         Increasing public access to the collections

·         Using associated documentation to improve resource management

·         Clarifying ownership and management responsibilities

 

CONVINCING OTHERS

·         Who uses Federally Associated museum collections?

·         What data do we need to make the case for increased public support?

·         Who are key stakeholders?

·         What are the most effective processes for convincing others?

 

TO ORGANIZE A SESSION, SUBMIT A PAPER, OR PLAN A  PRE-CONFERENCE ACTIVITY

By June 30, 2002, submit 100-word abstract and contact information for each paper proposal using the contact information provided below. Typical sessions will run in two-hour blocks, with 5 to 6 papers and time allotted for discussion.  You may also propose pre-conference activities, such as agency-specific meetings or training workshops for December 3-4, 2002.  Following review by the Steering Committee of the Interagency Federal Collections Alliance, proposals will be selected based on content and the need for balance among topics and disciplines.  Notes and abstracts from the first three conferences are online <http://museums.doi.gov>

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Visit the Department of the Interior Museum Program Web site at http://museums.doi.gov for current conference information, and to review notes and abstracts from the first three conferences.  If the Interior web pages are not available, conference information is available at this URL:

 

                http:/hqnet001.hqmc.mil/HD/doi/main.htm

 

SEND SESSION PROPOSALS TO:

 

BY Fax:

Department of the Interior Museum Program   

Ronald C. Wilson 

202-208-3438 phone

202-219-4244 fax

 

Or              

 

BY Mail or Email:

Bill Tompkins

Smithsonian Institution

P.O. Box  37012

Arts & Industries Bldg., Rm 3101 (MRC 404)

Washington, DC 20013-7012

E-mail:  [log in to unmask]

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