Session Title:

We’re All in This Together: A Collaborative Approach to Storage Reorganization

Presenters:

Carrie Kitzul (Art Gallery Assistant, Norfolk Arts Centre), Luke Stempien (Assistant Curator, Lambton Heritage Museum) and Melissa Shaw (Museum Assistant, Collingwood Museum)

Session Description:

All museums are faced with limited storage space for their collections and many are facing the daunting task of raising money to build new, larger storage areas. In 2014, the Canadian Conservation Institute in collaboration with the Ontario Museum Association launched a 12-month training initiative called RE-ORG: Canada (Ontario). RE-ORG puts a focus on finding the root causes of storage problems and helps museums reorganize their collections to better use the existing space. Six sites participating in the inaugural edition of RE-ORG met at the 2014 OMA conference, and have since been planning and implementing storage reorganization projects. A panel of RE-ORG: Canada participants will share the outcomes of this year-long initiative, highlighting how each phase of the methodology was applied to their storage areas.

Session Slides: 

Download the Presentation Slides [ PDF ]

Carrie Kitzul Art Gallery Assistant (Norfolk Arts Centre)

Carrie Kitzul has been the Art Gallery Assistant at the Norfolk Arts Centre since late 2012. Her work with the NAC focuses on collections care, fund development and education programming. Carrie is a graduate of the University of Regina and Western University, where she received her BA and MA in Art History respectively. Carrie has worked and volunteered for arts organizations in both Saskatchewan and Ontario in the areas of education, collections management and curatorial research since 2003.

Luke Stempien Assistant Curator (Lambton Heritage Museum)

Luke Stempien is Assistant Curator at the Lambton Heritage Museum. His work there centers on collections care, community access and exhibit development. In 2011 Luke opened his first major exhibition at the Royal Veterinary College in London, England exploring over 200 years of student life, urban growth and scientific discovery. Luke has also worked with the London Science Museum, the Geffrye Museum and the Hamilton-based community group Artsaround. Luke holds a MA in Cultural Heritage Studies from University College London.

Melissa Shaw Museum Assistant (Collingwood Museum)

Melissa Shaw has been with the Collingwood Museum in the position of museum assistant for eight years, and has been an active participant in the heritage sector since 2005.   A graduate of the University of Waterloo and Queen’s University, Melissa holds her BA and MA degrees in English Literature, with a history minor. Melissa is also a graduate of the Ontario Museum Association’s Certificate in Museum Studies program. Melissa prides herself in being actively involved in Collingwood’s arts and cultural sector and strives to create meaningful and lasting relationships with local organizations and community members through exhibition and programming opportunities.