Findings of Research Questionnaire on Vibratory Impacts of Music and Transport on Museum Collections

Protecting museum collections from vibrations due to building construction and refurbishment is a recognized concern. More recently, museums and cultural heritage organizations around the world have been taking note of the potential impacts that vibrations from music can have on their collections, and new questions are being raised about vibrations during transport.

The findings of a research questionnaire into these topics Vibratory Impacts of Music and Transport on Museum Collections, were recently released. Over 150 respondents from 138 institutions around the world participated by providing detailed information about their current practices and experiences with vibrations of their collections during musical events and transport of objects.

In this webinar in partnership with ARCS and AIC, the research group behind the questionnaire present findings from the report and provide a forum for your questions and discussion. 

By the end of the webinar, you will be able to:

• Describe common experiences of museums worldwide related to the vibratory effects of musical events and transport on their collections
• Detail practices and precautions being taken by museums and cultural heritage organizations to protect their collections from vibrations during musical events and transport
• Identify which factors in museums' practices for musical events appear to be correlated with the observed effects on collections
• Discuss possible next steps to develop practical guidelines for protecting collections during musical events and to update guidelines regarding transport

Speakers and Panelists
Arne Johnson, Principal Structural Engineer, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Northbrook, Illinois
Dr. Catherine Higgitt, Principal Scientist, Scientific Department, The National Gallery, London
Mark Ryan, Assistant Director for Collections & Exhibitions, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, St. Louis, Missouri
Dr. W. (Bill) Wei, Senior Conservation Scientist, Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE)
 

Panelists
JP Brown, Regenstein Conservator, The Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois
Tomasz Galikowski, Associate Acoustic Engineer, Bickerdike Allen Partners, London
Dr. Mohamed ElBatanouny, Senior Structural Engineer, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Northbrook, Illinois