Helping established programs thrive and bringing emerging programs to life.
I offer consulting and collections/archives management services to non-profits and independent private collections looking for both short and long-term archival solutions.
With over twenty years working as a collections manager and for some of the most prestigious cultural organizations in the country, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Grand Ole Opry, I have expertise across a diverse range of professional skills and specializations -- from cataloguing memorabilia, paper and photographic materials, musical instruments, clothing and costumes, to providing guidance on managing, organizing, and administering collections of all sizes.
No matter your unique goals and needs, I can help you plan, protect, and develop your project from start to finish.
Collections Management
Proper storage isn’t the only important element to creating a well-preserved collection. Archives are complex systems that need to be intentionally and sustainably built and managed. Working with an expert ensures that your collection is easily accessible and available both today and in the future. In addition to guiding you on how to curate, store, and display your assets, collections management services I offer include -
Creating customizable, scalable templates for collections management policies (accessions, cataloging, loans, gifts)
Remote and onsite cataloging, inventory, and indexing and metadata clean up to optimize artifact search and retrieval
Designing emergency preparedness and disaster response plans
Advisement about staffing needs and where to seek out relevant grant opportunities
Cultivating donor relations and collections development
Before
After
Consultation Services
Not sure where to start with your project? There is a way to navigate through the seemingly monumental task of curation, even if you’re starting with a room full of boxes and file cabinets, unsure of the best practices for long term preservation and access, or if you’re in possession of a “hidden collection” ready to be shared with the rest of the world.
My approach simplifies the process by assessing your specific needs and creating a personalized action plan. I help you break each project down into manageable steps, from project planning, survey, organization, processing, archival housing, to long term, sustainable, in-house or remote storage, and strategies for access.
Other Services
Archival research
Digitization
Collections Management Database Set Up and Remote Administration
Inventory Reports
Conservation and Care
Donor and Lender Relations
Grant research and Writing
Strategic Collections Development
Curatorial and Storytelling Development
I am based in Nashville, TN, but I am available to offer my services in-person and virtually no matter your location. If you are preparing for a specific goal or need some preliminary guidance, I can help get your collection where you want it to be.