Museums have known for decades that the prevention of damage to entire collections is always preferable to the painstaking treatment of objects one by one, but the how and why has proven a challenge.
Knowledge about the many causes of damage and their control has grown exponentially, but not the methods for addressing them systematically, effectively, and in a sustainable way.
ICCROM continues to pioneer and disseminate tools that answer the how and why of preventive conservation. These tools, such as a method of risk management, a method for collection storage reorganization, have been built through collaboration with leading institutions in the field. They have been tested through interactive courses around the world. ICCROM’s tools respect traditional know-how, local knowledge, and cultural diversity.