Museum Flooding and Recovery - AMA Video Series

Our friends at the Alberta Museums Association (AMA) asked us to share a video series covering disaster planning and recovery. The AMA, through the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has been working to support those museums affected by severe weather and floods in June 2013. Through the Museum Flood Funding Program, the AMA has provided financial support for recovery, treatment, and preventive conservation efforts at sites across Alberta. This video series highlights the aftermath of the flooding at Heritage Village, Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District, National Music Centre, and the Museum of the Highwood.

To watch Museum Flood Funding Program Videos: Heritage Village, click here.

To watch Museum Flood Funding Program: Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District, click here.

To watch Museum Flood Funding Program Videos: National Music Centre, click here.

To watch Museum Flood Funding Program Videos: Museum of the Highwood, click here.

Museums should always have a plan in place in case disaster strikes. Even with minimal resources, progress can be made with teamwork and a solid plan in place. Documentation is key. Assigning roles to staff and volunteers. Writing down details about the artifacts, including: description, storage location, and damage is crucial. The National Music Centre chose to bring on a videographer to document their recovery process. It's also important to monitor staff and volunteers. Ensure that your team is given the supplies and support needed to carry out the job. Some people react differently in stressful situations. If someone isn't responding well, it's okay to reassign tasks and adjust accordingly. Look at bringing in the professionals & reach out to those in your community. Prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities to prevent chaos and burnout. And most importantly, be proactive and positive. Consider the opportunities ahead of you. At Medalta, staff brought items out of confined storage areas to clean and accession them. Such a great series, thanks again to the staff at the Alberta Museums Association for sharing!