reCollections is an online resource all about caring for collection materials.

Supporting distributed cultural collections by connecting conservators and custodians

reCollections: Caring for Distributed Collections, has been written by practicing conservators and is intended to provide a sound guide for the preventive care of cultural items. A wide range of materials are covered, as well as the common causes of deterioration and appropriate storage, handling and display techniques.

reCollections provides practical advice and guidance designed to help the reader care for their heritage. reCollections explains how to apply preventive conservation techniques to cultural objects and collections. Preventive conservation optimises the environmental conditions in which objects and collections are housed. Controlling light and ultraviolet radiation, humidity and temperature, biological pests, and dust and pollutants helps to prevent damage and decay to cultural material. Preventive conservation also means ensuring that good handling, transportation, storage and display techniques are used at all times. Applying preventive methods to the care of cultural artefacts and collections can prolong and protect their life for current and future generations of Australians.

reCollections supplies detailed information concerning the care of some of the most common cultural materials. These range from the paper and other materials on which so much of Australia’s cultural history may be seen, to special considerations in caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural artefacts. In addition, modern practices concerning the management of collections and of the people who look after those collections are outlined.

With the support of the Department of Communications and the Arts, Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) and the Helen McPherson Smith Trust, the Grimwade Centre has updated and republished the reCollections guide to the care and management of cultural collections principally for non-conservators working with cultural collections.

Visit the reCollections website

Learn more about the Grimwade Centre through videos of recent events, seminars and workshops

Disclaimer: Work in these videos is undertaken or supervised by highly skilled conservation experts from the Grimwade Centre. Please consult an expert before undertaking any conservation action. Professional services are available through the our commercial services.

The Grimwade Centre specialises in all areas of art restoration and museum standard conservation to institutions and private clients. The centre has provided commercial art conservation and restoration programs since 1989.

Overview

The Grimwade Centre's conservation commercial services programs include conservation treatments and restoration of all types of materials: paintings; works on paper; photographs; books; frames ; textiles; organic materials (such as leather, wood, plant fibres etc.) and inorganic materials (such as ceramics, metals, glass etc.); archaeological materials; architectural projects; collection surveys and development of conservation strategy plans and disaster preparedness plans; research and technical analysis; and training programs.

The Grimwade Centre has one of the best-equipped commercial laboratories in Australia, with access to a wide range of analytical equipment and expertise at The University of Melbourne. The building is purpose built for housing cultural collections with temperature and humidity control and 24-hour on-site security, to ensure your artwork is in optimum care. Clients' objects are covered under the University's insurance while the objects are on The Grimwade Centre premises. With access to a loading dock and large goods lift, we are able to accommodate very large items for treatment, such as over-sized paintings and sculptures.

Our client base includes: national, state, regional and rural public collection and cultural organisations; amateur collecting societies and museums; commercial galleries; corporate collections; and private collections.

We are an Approved Service Provider for the Australian Antique and Art Dealers Association.

Conservation Commercial Services website

The Grimwade Centre blog showcases student projects, research and engagement work from the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation.

Overview

Visit the Grimwade Centre blog

The most recent posts include:

• Stuffed with Problems: The Challenges of Dealing with a Taxidermy Object
• Louise Lateau en Extase
• The Sky is the Limit…ation
• The glass spouted vessel: What is it?
• Memoirs of a Great Jar
• Treatment Blog 1: Can You Be-Leaf It?
• Treating Rose Grainger’s Gown
• There’s a Chair in There - Determining Age through Materials and Typology