CAP Application Now Available!

2015 Conservation Assessment Program Application Available

Heritage Preservation is pleased to announce the availability of Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) application until the program deadline of December 1, 2014. The 2015 program year marks the 25^th anniversary of CAP, and the admittance of our 3000^th museum! 

In honor of our 25^th anniversary, we are soliciting stories from previous CAP recipients, as well as the assessors to help us better understand the impact CAP has had in the field of museum conservation and preservation. To thank museums for contributing their stories and to encourage further conservation efforts, two museums will be chosen to receive a $1,000.00 gift certificate for conservation supplies, and one assessor will be thanked for their contributions to the field with $500.00 to go towards professional development. The application is short and should not take long to fill out.

CAP is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum & Library Services, and is administered by Heritage Preservation. The program provides technical assistance to small to mid-sized museums to hire a professional conservator, approved by Heritage Preservation, for a two-day site visit.  The CAP assessor uses the site visit to examine the museum’s collections, environmental conditions, and sites.  The assessor then spends three days writing a report recommending priorities to improve collections care.  The assessment reports submitted by professional conservators can assist the museum in developing strategies for improved collections care, long-range planning, and fund-raising for collections care.

Funds are awarded based on the museum’s budget, so the cost to the museum varies. All museums are awarded a collections assessor.  Museums with buildings older than 50 years receive additional funds for an architectural assessor to identify priorities for care of the building(s).  In the case of institutions such as zoos, aquariums, nature centers, botanical gardens, and arboreta, CAP can fund a specialist to assess the living collections as well as the non-living collections. 

Since CAP is limited to a two-day site visit, museums with small to mid-sized collections are most appropriate for this program.  Larger institutions are encouraged to contact IMLS for information on the Museums for America (MFA) grant.  MFA grants fund a variety of conservation projects, including general conservation surveys that can accommodate a more extensive site visit by a professional conservator.

Geared toward smaller institutions, the CAP application process is simple, and awards are made to eligible applicants as funding permits.  The 2015 CAP application will be open until Monday, December 1, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. The online application can be accessed at http://cap.heritagepreservation.org. A link to this website, as well as to a fillable PDF can be found at http://www.heritagepreservation.org/CAP/application.html#apply2   

To receive further information, visit our website at: http://www.heritagepreservation.org/CAP/FAQs.html

Or, contact us at:

Conservation Assessment Program

Heritage Preservation

1012 14th Street, NW

Suite 1200

Washington, D.C.  20005

202-233-0800

cap@heritagepreservation.org

Employment Opportunity: Program Assistant, Conservation Assessment Program

Position Announcement

Program Assistant, Conservation Assessment Program

Heritage Preservation seeks a Program Assistant to assist the Director in the administration of the Conservation Assessment Program.

Heritage Preservation is a national non-profit organization based in downtown Washington, D.C. that is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the United States. By identifying risks, developing innovative programs, and providing broad public access to expert advice, Heritage Preservation assists museums, libraries, archives, historic preservation and other organizations, as well as individuals, in caring for our endangered heritage.

The Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) helps small to mid-sized museums of all types, from art museums to zoos, obtain a general assessment of the condition of their collections, environment, and historic buildings. It is supported through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

CAP Assistant duties include, but are not limited to, assistance with program inquiries, production and distribution of application materials, oversight of the online application form, processing applications, screening application eligibility, production and distribution of newsletters, providing assistance to program participants and assessors by phone and e-mail, promoting the program to museums, coordinating program evaluation, digitization of records, and maintaining CAP program FileMaker database.

The CAP Assistant should have excellent organizational and written communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with routine, and strong interpersonal skills.

Compensation: Salary in the mid $30,000s plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes a public transit allocation. Heritage Preservation will not cover relocation expenses.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in museum studies, art history, history, or a related field. This entry level position is ideal for a recent college graduate. Candidates should have experience with Microsoft Office; knowledge of FileMaker Pro is desirable.

How to Apply: Email resume with cover letter describing relevant skills, experience, and interest to:

Melanie Zucker

Director, Conservation Assessment Program

Heritage Preservation

cap@heritagepreservation.org

Please no phone calls.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received until the deadline of Friday, May 2, 2014 at 11:59 pm.

Heritage Preservation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information on Heritage Preservation or CAP, please visit the Heritage Preservation Web site at www.heritagepreservation.org.

CAP and MAP Applications Now Available

Conservation Assessment Program

The Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) staff is pleased to announce that the 2013 CAP application is currently available! Please visit the CAP website to access the application. You may follow the link to use the online form version of the application, or you may download the PDF version of the application. Applications are reviewed as they are received, so we encourage you to submit your completed application sooner rather than later.

Please contact the CAP staff at cap@heritagepreservation.org or at 202-233-0800 if you have questions about filling out the application, or would like to receive a paper copy.

2013 CAP applications are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 3, 2012.

The Conservation Assessment Program is administered by Heritage Preservation and is supported through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information visit www.heritagepreservation.org/cap.

Museum Assessment Program

"Fully embracing and participating in MAP has enabled us to quickly and methodically improve and realign museum practices to better meet our challenges. From board education to community engagement, the museum is well on its way to re-envisioning its future." - Billye Chabot, Executive Director, Seward House Museum

The Museum Assessment Program (MAP) is an IMLS funded program available to small and mid-sized museums of all types. During MAP your museum conducts a self-study, consults with a museum professional who will provide a customized site visit and report and gains the tools to become a stronger institution.

 ·         The MAP process is customized to your museum. 

·         The application is easy to complete and 98% of museums that apply get accepted.

·         Choose one of three assessment types: Organizational, Collections Stewardship or Community Engagement.

IMLS-funded MAP grants provide $4,000 of consultative resources and services to participating museums. Become the next museum to take advantage of MAP. The upcoming application deadline is December 1.

Visit www.aam-us.org/map for more information about MAP or contact us at map@aam-us.org or 202.289.9118.

MAP is administered by the American Alliance of Museums and supported through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Deadlines!! CAP and AAM Advocacy Day

From Heritage Preservation:

This is a reminder that the deadline to apply for the 2011 Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) is Friday, January 21, 2011. The application is available on Heritage Preservation's Web site at www.heritagepreservation.org/cap/application.html.

If you have questions about the CAP program, please call the CAP staff at 202-233-0800 or email cap@heritagepreservation.org.

From AAM: 

Your Participation in Museums Advocacy Day 2011 is Important!
With more than 100 new elected officials and new leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, it is critical that members of Congress hear from their constituents back home. Only you can convey the value of museums in your community!

Registration closes TODAY for Museums Advocacy Day 2011, Feb. 28–March 1 in Washington, D.C.

Register Online NOW
OR
Print, Complete and Return the Paper Registration Form

Museums Advocacy Day 2011
On February 28 and March 1, museum supporters – staff, trustees, students, volunteers and advocates – will gather in Washington, DC for advocacy and issue training and a day of making our case on Capitol Hill. Will you be there? There’s still time to register for this two-day event, and AAM members attend for FREE! Registration is open through TODAY January 21, 2011. (After that date, registration requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.)

This two-day event includes a day of advocacy training in coordination with advocates from your state, a Monday evening reception at the U.S. Botanic Gardens with Members of Congress invited, and a Tuesday morning Congressional Breakfast where Members of Congress are invited to address museum advocates, followed by a day of visits to the offices of your Members of Congress (scheduled by AAM). Please visit www.speakupformuseums.org to learn more about Museums Advocacy Day.

Special Hotel Rate Also Available Through Today!
Hotel rooms have been reserved until January 21 (TODAY) at a special AAM rate of $159 at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center, where the day of advocacy training and issue briefings will be held. Please call 202-687-3200 or 888-324-2111 to make reservations at this special AAM rate and note that you are with the American Association of Museums when you call to make your reservation. Book now before the room block expires!

Any other deadlines I'm missing??