Announcements
July 2019
Announcing a fall/winter 2019 internship opportunity at the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative!
Our team is seeking an intern with an interest in understanding (1) how cultural heritage is protected in the event of a disaster, and (2) the wider domestic emergency management structure and functions. The internship will involve assisting with the preparation of the week-long Heritage Emergency and Response Training (HEART) program, which is a professional training course centered on the improvement of cultural heritage and emergency management professionals’ ability to respond to a disaster involving heritage collections. This program is done in collaboration with the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF).
Guided and supervised by Smithsonian staff in Washington D.C., the intern will learn about all facets of preparation and execution of the 2019 HEART program. The intern will be responsible for:
- Processing applications to the program, vetting them according to specific criteria, and making recommendations to the review committee;
- Working with selected teachers and assisting with training topic development;
- Developing guidelines and communicating with participants about certain training prerequisites;
- Writing various communication briefings about the course for multiple audiences (e.g., blog posts, memos, executive summaries) and for distribution on various platforms (e.g. printed reports, social media, and online); and
- Assisting the SCRI Training Program Manager and Project Associate during the training with daily operations and logistics.
More information is listed in the internship annoucement (pdf).
Applications are due at midnight on Thursday, August 15, 2019. Applicants must register and apply through the Smithsonian's SOLAA system. Once registered, search for the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative - Training Program Internship and apply!
May 2019
The First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis course deadline has been extended! Would you like to ensure effective disaster risk management for cultural heritage and help to build resilience in your own context? First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAC) 2019 offers a unique opportunity to learn and practice. The course is open to disaster risk management specialists, emergency responders, humanitarian aid and cultural heritage professionals and military personnel. Application deadline is June 21, 2019. For the application form and further details, click here.
March 2019
SCRI is heading to the Mid-West!
Strategies for Post-Disaster Community Engagement workshop
Cultural institutions can provide important information to communities to preserve their possessions as they regain access to their homes and businesses. The Smithsonian Institution will provide a short briefing about its Saving Your Family Treasures program, then representatives from other Nebraska institutions are invited to share any programs currently under way and discuss strategies for working together.
Friday, March 29
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
History Nebraska
Gilmore Room
131 Centennial Mall N
Lincoln, NE 68508
Saving Your Family Treasures
These workshops will include a formal presentation followed by a question-and-answer period. Smithsonian experts will demonstrate how to handle, dry and clean damaged objects and share tips on personal safety, prioritization and preservation options.
Friday, March 29
2:00 p.m.— 3:30 p.m
University of Nebraska Lincoln State Museum
Morrill Hall, room 126
645 North 14th Street
Lincoln, NE 68588-0338
For more information about this workshop, click here: https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/smithsonian-institution-to-host-workshops-on-saving-heirlooms/
Saturday, March 30
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Keene Memorial Library
1030 N Broad St
Fremont, NE 68025
For more information about this workshop, click here: https://fremonttribune.com/news/local/library-to-host-free-workshop/article_2c909565-b01b-5577-b170-334c9634b022.html
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The Durham Museum
Room TBD
801 S 10th St
Omaha, NE 68108
Sunday, March 31
2:00 p.m.— 3:30 p.m.
University of Nebraska Lincoln State Museum
Morrill Hall, room 126
645 North 14th Street
Lincoln, NE 68588-0338
November 2018
The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative announces the publication of an innovative resource on First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis. The Handbook and Toolkit is the outcome of nearly a decade of field experience gained by ICCROM, and a close partnership among ICCROM , The Prince Claus Fund, and the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative.
Download the Handbook and Toolkit.
January 2018
The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative announced a $1 million gift from Bank of America at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The gift, presented to Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton and Board of Regents Chair David Rubenstein by Bank of America Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan, is the largest corporate donation to the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative, and establishes Bank of America as the program’s lead corporate sponsor.
Selected News Coverage of Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative Projects
- Smithsonian Institution Teams Rescued Family Treasures and Tales (FEMA News Release, Oct 30, 2018)
- The Fire That Consumed Brazil’s Treasures (The New York Times, Sept 7, 2018)
- How to Save What’s Priceless When Disaster Strikes (Houzz.com, Aug 22, 2018)
- Protecting Puerto Rico’s Heritage from Another Disaster (Smithsonian Insider, May 9, 2018)
- What It's Like to Evacuate a Museum in a Natural Disaster (The Atlantic, Dec 14, 2017)
- 'All Is Not Lost': These Experts Help Save Hurricane-Soaked Heirlooms (NPR, October 28, 2017)
- Special operations veterans honored in Fort Bragg ceremony (The Fayetteville Observer, October 26, 2017)
- How to Save Family Heirlooms from Natural Disasters (Smithsonian Magazine, October 2016)
- We Can Do More to Protect the World’s Art and Architecture from Natural Disasters (Artsy.net, September 2016)
- Smithsonian, other agencies protect artifacts in Iraq, Syria (Washington Post, August 19, 2016)
- First Aid for Endangered Cultural Heritage Sites (U.S. Department of State Official Blog, July 8, 2016)
- Heritage at Risk: Safeguarding Museums During Conflict (Museum Magazine, July/August 2016)
- FAC 2016 diploma ceremony at the Italian Embassy (Italy UN, June 30, 2016)
- As ISIS loses ground, scholars return to beloved historical sites (PBS, April 5, 2016)
- Crash Courses Prepare Art Conservators for Catastrophic Disasters (Smithsonian Magazine, March 2016)
- The Small, Good Stories (The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 18, 2016)
- How can we preserve our Cultural Heritage? (World Economic Forum, 2016)
- The Struggle to Save the Middle East's Cultural Treasures (Nature, January 8, 2016)
- Countering Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods The Global Challenge of Protecting the World’s Heritage (ICOM, 2015)
- Scientists Work to Save Antiquities from Islamic State destruction (Science Magazine, December 18, 2015)
- Human Rights Day Highlights Scientific Contributions to Prevent Cultural Heritage Destruction (AAAS, December 17, 2015)
- Expert Panel Urges Passage of Bill Protecting Syrian Antiquities (AAAS, November 9, 2015)
- Preserving Cultural Heritage in Conflict (Hollings Center, October 15, 2015)
- Cultural Preservation in Disasters, War Zones Presents Big Challenges (The Chronicle of Philanthropy, May 11, 2015)
- Cultural Heritage: Conflict and Reconciliation (The University of Chicago, Cultural Policy Center, April 13, 2015)
- Unexpected—Earthquake 2011: Lessons to Be Learned (Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press, September 30, 2014)
- Protecting Ancient Treasures from Becoming Casualties in Iraq and Syria (PBS Newshour, September 24, 2014)
- Smithsonian and Penn Cultural Heritage Center Organize Emergency Workshop and Training Program to Safeguard Syrian Cultural Heritage (Newsroom of the Smithsonian, August 14, 2014)
- Interim Government Establishes Heritage Task Force (National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, June 24, 2014)
- The Role of Museums in the Context of a Crisis: ICOM Organises A Training Seminar For Museum Professionals In West Africa (ICOM Museum.org, February 2014)
- Marines Get Their Own Training: ‘Monuments Men’ (Marines, November 20, 2013)
- Q+A: How to Save the Arts in Times of War (Smithsonian Magazine, January 24, 2013)
HEART 2019 intern announcement
PDF copy of the HEART 2019 internship announcement
