Collections Care

Facilities

Caring for the objects of Alutiiq heritage is a central part of the Alutiiq Museum’s mission. Our facilities include a laboratory where objects can be cleaned, conserved, and studied, and a 1,600 sq. ft. climate controlled collections room that provides safe, professional storage.

Collections Administration

Three documents govern the museum's collections - a Collections Policy, a Collections Plan, and Guidelines for the Spiritual Care of Objects. Together, these documents reflect the museum's desire to unite Alutiiq values with the best practices of museum science to provide exception collections care.

Collections Policy
Collections Plan
Guidelines for Art Acquisition
Spiritual Care Guidelines

Hear Sven Haakanson read the introduction to the Spiritual Care Guidelines

Learn more about the Alutiiq Museum's professional collection care program from this article on the Conservation Assessment Program.
 

Caring for Artifacts of Uncertain Origin

In 2007, the Alutiiq Museum developed a memorandum of understanding with Kodiak's major land owners for the care of archaeological finds whose origins and ownership are unknown.  Under the agreement, the museum may hold these objects in trust for the public, insuring that they are respectfully treated and used for educational purposes.

To learn more about the unprovenienced objects in the museum’s care, or for information on how you can become a signer to the agreement, contact registrar This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (907) 486-7004, x24.

Unprovenienced Artifacts Agreement

 

Learn More

Stewards of the Sacred, edited by Lawrence E. Sullivan & Alison Edwards, 2004, American Association of Museums & the Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard.

with an article by executive director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Understanding Sacredness: Facing the Challenges of Cultural Change.

Caring for American Indian Objects - A Practical and Cultural Guide, edited by Sherelyn Ogden, 2004, Minnesota Historical Society Press, St. Paul.

With an article by executive director  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Why Should American Indian Cultural Objects be Preserved?

Living Homes for Cultural Expression - North American Native Perspectives on Creating Community Museums, edited by Karen Cody Cooper and Nicolasa I. Sandoval, 2006, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.