Date of Award
Spring 2021
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA Museum Professions
Department
Communication and the Arts
Advisor
Gregory Stevens, M.A.T.
Committee Member
Renee Robinson, Ph.D.
Committee Member
McKenna Schray, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Ruth Tsuria,Ph.D.
Keywords
museums and climate change, collections care and climate change, museum disaster preparedness
Abstract
As stewards of cultural heritage, museums have the responsibility to protect their collections from increasing climate change risks. Literature revealed that though cultural heritage sites are threatened by climate change, museums lack sufficient climate change adaptation strategies. In response, this study examined how museums can create effective climate change adaptation strategies. Through a qualitative comparative case study of the Getty Center and Newark Museum of Art and content and textual analyses, the study identified key themes of institutional mission, values, and policies, research, education and training, physical prevention, and collaboration as requirements for successful adaptation. Informed by these themes, a series of recommendations for the creation and implementation of climate change adaptation strategies are presented.
Recommended Citation
Gombas, Elyse, "Through Fire and Water: Protecting Museum Collections Against Increasing Climate Change Risks" (2021). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 2895.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2895
