A collection management plan should reflect the breadth, complexity and significance of a property, whilst being useful as a stand alone prioritization and budgeting tool. If a collection has never been surveyed – this is a good place to start. A survey takes place in situ over several days, depending on the scale and accessibility of objects. A complete survey of the collection is a compass as it will determine the state of the entire collection. It will highlight conservation needs and priorities for the next 5-20 years, offer treatment options and provide time and cost estimates. It will serve to identify those paintings which may need urgent structural treatment as well as those warranting aesthetic improvements and art-historical research. A survey is accompanied by a summary from the visit and will make specific recommendations and a long term care plan considering issues impacting the collection such as display, environmental conditions and hanging systems.
Condition surveys are a snapshot in time, therefore existing surveys should be reviewed at regular intervals to monitor change. Condition reports can also be carried out on individual works of art.
Individual condition assessments: can be carried out for the purposes of acquisition, sale, monitoring paintings during national and international loans, and for insurance purposes. For clients wishing to invest in art we provide an unbiased assessment of a painting’s condition and conservation needs.
Katya holds the Historic England Salvage and Disaster Recovery 2019 Course certificate, which is endorsed by The National Trust, and is able to advise on collection management and emergency response plans for both heritage and private clients.