SMC actively supports collections care and conservation activity in museums, providing access to professional advice and information, useful resources and training opportunities. Specifically, we can assist with the following:
SMC advice agreement with the Scottish Conservation Studio
Since 2005, SMC has had an agreement in place with the Scottish Conservation Studio (SCS), a local company of professional conservators, to provide free technical conservation advice to SMC member museums and their Curatorial Advisers.
With many years of experience working with the Scottish museums sector, SCS is well equipped to answer your enquires on a wide range of collection care and preventive conservation matters. If you represent an SMC Full or Associate member museum, contact SCS by telephone or e-mail:
T: 0131 331 5875
E: [email protected]
SMC Published Resources
SMC has produced a series of basic factsheets, advice sheets and guidance notes that cover many common collections care and preventive conservation issues. These include guidance on care of specific collection types and environmental management to information about planning to create a new museum or storage space.
The CAT or Condition Assessment Tool is a computer software program developed by SMC to help museums better understand the condition of their collections and so improve stewardship standards. To request a free copy or to know more about it, please link to the condition assessment tool page.
SMC Conservators Network
This network was set up by SMC for all the conservators who are on the staff of our member museums to support individuals through training, advice or workshops, to provide the best service possible for their museums. Many conservators working in Scotland do not have peer support within their organisations or in the region in which they work. Please note that this network is for professionally trained conservators who are on the staff of our member museums only.
For more information, or to express interest in taking part in the Network, contact SMC Collections Development Manager Gillian Findlay.
T: 0131 550 4126
E: [email protected]
SMC Training Courses
SMC provides a number of short courses covering basic collections care and preventive conservation topics including emergency planning and environmental monitoring, both of which specifically take into account Accreditation requirements. For information about the courses, see the workforce development pages.
