Asociación para el Fomento de los Estudios Históricos en Centroamérica

SCIENCE IN THE CONSERVATION OF ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS

DATES July 11-July 29, 2005

PLACE Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

ORGANIZATION ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the
Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property),

AN (National Archives of Brazil),

FUNARTE (National Foundation of Arts),

in collaboration with ICN (Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage)
and CRCDG (le Centre de Recherches sur la conservation des documents
graphiques), and with the support of the Directorate-General of
Cooperation for Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy

THE COURSE
Archival collections can be found in very different types of institutions.
There they raise specific conservation challenges for the variety of
materials of which they consist, and for the increasing demand for access
to them by different users. The course will review the relevance of
conservation research to meeting these challenges, adopting a holistic
approach that covers both technical and managerial issues. It will examine
the application of research in key areas such as the deterioration
processes of specific archival materials (both traditional supports and
new media), applying standards to developing and choosing conservation
materials, recovery procedures after disasters, and the environmental
contexts of archives (from the building to protective enclosures). As well
as promoting the application of research results in archive conservation,
the course will discuss ways of designing and implementing
interdisciplinary research.

OBJECTIVE
As a result of the course, participants will be better prepared to apply
scientific research to the care of archive collections, improving their
research skills in a context of interdisciplinary communication and
teamwork. They will be better able to plan and implement research projects
within an institutional context and to assess the relevance of research
results, with a view to practical and cost-effective solutions.

COURSE METHODOLOGY
The course is an intensive programme combining theory and practice,
through use of case studies, discussion groups, workshops and site visits.
It will feature current and recent research projects in the archive field,
drawing upon the experience of the organizing institutions and that of the
course participants.

PARTICIPANTS
A maximum of 20 participants will be selected. The course is open to
professionals from different disciplines who participate actively in
planning and implementing research projects for the care of archives of
national relevance. At least four years of work experience will be
required, with preference being given to applicants who are involved in
training or who head conservation or research teams. Candidates are asked
to submit a 1000-word statement that summarizes their experience of
research related to archives and indicates how the course would benefit
them in their work.

TEACHING TEAM
Specialists in different areas of conservation and research from the
collaborating institutions and beyond.

WORKING LANGUAGE English

REGISTRATION FEE Euros 350

SCHOLARSHIPS
Candidates are expected to seek financial aid from sources such as
governments, employers, and foundations, for which ICCROM is prepared to
offer advice. If these efforts are unsuccessful, the organizers can offer
a limited number of scholarships to accepted applicants. A minimum of
Euros 1000 for living costs would be required for the three-week duration
of the course in Rio de Janeiro.

APPLICATION
Please use the general ICCROM course application form which is available
at the address below or at the ICCROM website http://www.iccrom.org

Archives05-Collections Unit
ICCROM
13, via di San Michele
I-00153 ROME RM, ITALY

Tel +39 06 585531 Fax +39 06 58553349
E-mail: collections@iccrom.org

APPLICATION DEADLINE 15 March 2005