Capacity Building and Cultural Continuity

Collections do not survive because reports are written. They survive because people have the knowledge, confidence and applied skills to make informed decisions.

You already know what is significant about your collection. So let's cut straight to preserving it.

As budgets tighten and experienced staff become increasingly difficult to replace, organisations are being asked to care for more complex collections with fewer resources. Building capability has become as important as treating artefacts.

Endangered Heritage provides ongoing access to independent conservation science, practical advice and specialist support when it is needed. Through training, mentoring, disaster preparedness, mould response, storage and display advice, workforce development and the Conservator on Retainer (COR) program, we help organisations make informed decisions before small issues become major losses.

We believe the greatest legacy we can leave is not simply a better collection, but more capable custodians.

By engaging Endangered Heritage as your subject matter experts in preservation and conservation, we help build the knowledge and confidence of your staff and volunteers through our Conservator on Retainer (COR) program. Members gain ongoing access to independent advice on collection care, preventive conservation, storage and display, disaster preparedness, mould response, occupational health and safety, 24-hour emergency response support and conservation triage — providing practical support when decisions need to be made, not just after something has gone wrong.

COR membership is structured around your institution's specific needs and collection type. Whether you require regular advisory visits, ad hoc technical consultations, staff training workshops or emergency response, the program provides flexible, ongoing access to specialist expertise without the cost and complexity of a full-time in-house conservator.

All engagements are underpinned by the same standard of practice as our project-based work — evidence-based, culturally informed and consistent with the AICCM Code of Ethics and international conservation standards.