Cultivating Sustainable Collections 2026 Symposium and Workshops at Western University
Attend symposium panels, workshops, and museum tours focused on advancing sustainable practices in collection management and preventive conservation.
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- annual cycle, check dates
- Entry fee
- Free
- Location
- McIntosh Gallery and Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Museum London, Museum of Ontario Archaeology, and Oil Museum of Canada (tours)
- Exhibition window
- Sep 11, 2026 → Oct 3, 2026
About
Overview
Cultivating Sustainable Collections is a gathering focused on advancing sustainable practices in collection management and preventive conservation. As community gathering places, museums, galleries, and other heritage institutions can play a crucial role in supporting the deep changes required to confront climate change and environmental degradation. The symposium will strengthen and expand an active network for collaboration and advocacy, offering opportunities to share research, solutions, and questions.
Key Dates
- Vault and Museum Tours: September 11, 2026 (in-person)
- In-person Symposium: September 12–13, 2026 (panels in-person and streamed online; workshops in-person only)
- Sustainability and Built Heritage with Canadian Conservation Institute: October 3, 2026 (in-person)
Topics Covered
- Rethinking climate control requirements
- Environmentally friendly packing materials
- Energy footprint of digital preservation and solar-powered alternative archives
- Preparing for climate-caused disasters and collecting in the aftermath of wildfires
- Dealing with hazardous materials in collections
- Reimagining collections through Indigenous, queer, and disabled perspectives
- Ethical deaccessioning and unique approaches to collection care
Location
Symposium and Workshops: Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada. Tours: Museum London, Museum of Ontario Archaeology, and Oil Museum of Canada.
Fees
- Tours: Free
- Symposium and workshops in-person: $45 with lunch, $20 without lunch
- Symposium online: Free
- October 3 workshop with CCI: Free
Registration
All events require registration. Register early to secure a spot in your first-choice workshop.
Contact
Send any questions to: [email protected]
Speakers and Partners
Speakers include Marilyn Zapf, Jessica A. Cooley, Sebastian De Line, Jean Dendy, Jenny Durrant, Camile Georgeson-Usher, Germaine Koh, Kim Kraczon, Kristine McCorkell, and Marie-Claude Mongeon. Workshops facilitated by Imogen Clendinning, Shannon Garden-Smith, Fiona Graham, Kim Kraczon, Erin Secord (Ingenium), Zainub Verjee and Peter Pavement (Galeries Ontario/Ontario Galleries), and Chiraz Guellela and Allison Ward (Canadian Conservation Institute).
- Entry fee
- Tours: Free; Symposium and workshops in-person: $45 with lunch, $20 without lunch; Symposium online: Free; October 3 workshop with CCI: Free
- Theme
- Advancing sustainable practices in collection management and preventive conservation, including rethinking climate control, environmentally friendly materials, digital preservation energy footprints, disaster preparedness, and reimagining collections through Indigenous, queer, and disabled perspectives.
- Audience
- Museum professionals, curators, conservators, heritage institutions staff, and those interested in sustainable collection management.
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.