Small Museums, Important Collections - Day 1 - Session 1: Policy Potluck

Includes a Live Web Event on 11/12/2025 at 1:30 PM (EST)

Only available as part of a package

Small museums are often driven by passion for a particular subject or collection, in some cases even beginning from a single private collection. As any organization grows, it needs a more solid foundation to successfully care for the collection and to create an institutional framework to ensure its long-term sustainability. This session will feature a discussion of the importance of developing solid written policies that directly relate to the scope and practice of collections, with breakouts providing a chance to discuss each in detail in a smaller group. You'll be able to choose which group you want to join for discussion and brainstorming.

Policy topics will include:

Mission, Vision, and Values Statements
Collections Management Policies and Plans
Practical Aspects of Collections Care and Storage
Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Plans

The majority of this session will be in breakout sessions so attendees can share their own thoughts and concerns, and get feedback from others. Be ready to brainstorm with others and share examples of documents that work and don't work so we can learn together.

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.

Sean Blinn

Chair

AASLH Small Museums Committee, Bedminster, NJ

Sean Blinn is an independent museum professional based in New Jersey, with a practice focused on government relations, evaluation, and communication (including social media). His primary background is with historic house museums, where he uses stories of the past to help visitors understand the present. He enjoys showing how life has changed over time, including the social effects of technological change. He works to ensure that voices historically left out of narratives are represented in museums’ narratives and builds partnerships with libraries and other cultural institutions. He has served as a member of local government historic preservation, cultural, and zoning commissions. Prior to joining the museum field, he worked in the corporate sector, working on projects from writing and editing to leading software testing projects.

Madeline Cooper

Owner

MC Conservation

Madeline (Maddie) Cooper (she/her) is the owner and Principal Preventive Conservator at MC Conservation. Maddie has extensive experience in surveys, assessments, and teaching. She was the Associate Preventive Conservator at the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts from 2021-2025 where she completed over 40 assessments, developed and taught workshops, and project managed initiatives like Preservation Services in Puerto. Maddie has over 10 years of professional collections care experience. She held roles in conservation and collections at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and the Wolfsonian-FIU prior to specializing in preventive conservation in graduate school. Through her graduate career, she worked with the Disaster Research Center, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, and the Midwest Art Conservation Center. Maddie holds an MS in Art Conservation from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation, a BA in Chemistry from the University of Delaware, and a BA in Art Conservation with a minor in Art History from the University of Delaware.