AIC's 47th Annual Meeting

Conservators inherently care about preservation, and this includes the planet. We all want to be more sustainable—but where to begin? This workshop will take participants through the Sustainability Tool Kit developed by Sarah Braun, a former Consultant with the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Programme, and Sustainability in Conservation founder Caitlin Southwick. Together they will demonstrate how the Tool Kit can be implemented in any museum, conservation studio or on-site location.

Participants will be introduced to the concept of sustainability, including various models (the Paris Agreement, the United Nations SDGs and the three imperatives: limits, needs and justice) and applications of these concepts to the cultural heritage field. The instructors will share case studies with the group then participants will have the opportunity to apply these concepts to their own workplaces by learning how to access the current situation, establish goals, and manage progress. Participants will leave the workshop with a concrete launching point for implementing more sustainable practices.

All cultural heritage professionals and institutions would benefit from this workshop. Participants walk away with a personalized case study and an understanding of how to use the Sustainability Tool Kit to customize their own transition to a more sustainable work environment. In addition, the Tool Kit facilitates sharing of best practice and success stories with other conservation professionals, providing more tools and ideas to affect positive change in their own practice.

Participants should bring a laptop or tablet if possible.