Upcoming Workshop

Workshop Description

This two-day, in-person workshop will equip participants with the practical knowledge and introductory skills to prepare for and respond to cultural heritage emergencies. Hosted by the Texas Collections Emergency Resource Alliance (TX-CERA) at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, the program offers a comprehensive introduction to safeguarding collections and strengthening institutional resilience in the face of disasters.

Through a combination of presentations and hands-on learning, the workshop will cover critical topics such as an introduction to the Office of Emergency Management, the Incident Command System for heritage emergency response, health and safety in disaster recovery environments, how to effectively document a disaster, and an overview of foundational salvage techniques for damaged collections. Participants will also gain confidence in executing emergency plans, assembling and maintaining emergency supplies and go-bags, and conducting after-action reviews which will help institutions strengthen their long-term resilience and preparedness.

This workshop is ideal for professionals across museums, libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions seeking to move from risk awareness to actionable resilience as well as first responders who want to learn more about this essential group of stakeholders in community preparedness. Each participant will receive a collection-focused go-bag to support their emergency readiness.

Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided, and assistance with hotel accommodations is available for participants traveling to attend.

“From Risk to Resilience: An Introduction to Emergency Preparedness for Texas Cultural Heritage Institutions" has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this webinar, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.”