First in a series of events aiming to create an informal space for conversation and networking, and an opportunity to learn about national and private collections with some new skills along the way.

This event includes a tour of the photo collection stores at National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, followed by a talk by Head Curator Geoff Belknap.

Who should come?
This event is aimed at anyone working with photo collections and archives in museums, libraries and archives.

1:00 Coffee, cake and networking
1:30 Tour of Photography and Photographic Technology Collections
2:30 Talk: Geoff Belknap, NSMM Head Curator – Collecting the Boundaries of Photography: how to collect, curate and think photographs in the museum, libraries and archives
3:00 Discussion
4:00 Finish 

Post-event we invite you to join us at a local pub to continue conversations.

ARCHIVE TALK AND TOUR, THE HISTORIC ENGLAND ARCHIVE, SWINDON 
This visit will include a look into Historic England's archive collections, followed by a tour of the purpose-built archive itself - from the vaults to the Conservation Department, through insight into collections digitisation, finishing with time for Q&A and informal networking over light refreshments.

Details
Join us for a rare behind the scenes look at Historic England’s fascinating and extensive archive collections and to hear about their approach to conservation, care and access. In a tour and talk led by experts, we’ll take a look at some of the collections of photographs of England's buildings and historic sites held in Historic England's Archives, then explore issues around conservation, digitisation, caring for and access to this wide-ranging collection. 

This visit offers a unique opportunity to explore and discuss collections issues in a tailored tour with a small group of colleagues from across the sector. The event is aimed at people working in a professional capacity with photographic collections or archives, especially those with an interest or role in conserving and/or caring for collections.

Programme Outline
12.45 – 13.00    Registration at reception
13.00 - 15.00     Introductions; Overview of Historic England’s extensive collections; Tour of the purpose-built archive - from the vaults to the Conservation Dept; Discussion about Collections Care, Conservation and Digitisation
15.00 - 15.30     Refreshments, Q&A and informal networking

There are very limited places available for this rare behind the scenes visit - don't miss out!

Tickets £10 each (members only). Not a member yet? - join the network here for just £25 per year (£20 concessions).
 

About
We are pleased to welcome members and non-members working with UK photographic collections and archives to a special visit exploring the chemical industry through photographs and the impact of chemistry on our collections. We're delighted that we will be joined for a talk and Q&A by Howard Hopwood, Trustee of Catalyst and former HARMAN Chairman and New Business Director.

This morning visit will combine an inside look at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre’s photographic archives and how Catalyst is engaging visitors with photographs, with discussion around the challenges that degradation poses to collections across the UK and beyond. Our visit will explore how photographs support Catalyst’s approach to exploring the science and technology behind the chemical industry and its impact on lives past and present. 

We will experience how the museum’s photographic collection and its new Panoramic Halton tablets have been integrated with hands-on exhibits and the local environment in the observatory (supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund). Then we will hear from Howard Hopwood about the black and white chemistry in your archives and collections. There'll be a rare opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues like dealing chemical problems, faulty processing and contamination of prints of old negatives and prints.

The visit will end with an informal networking lunch for delegates in the café. Lunch is included in the ticket price and will consist of a mix of soup, sandwiches and quiche with vegetarian diets catered for (*if you've booked your place, please do email info@photocollections.org.uk if you have any dietary requirements).

Programme
10.30 - registration & refreshments (at the cafe)
10.45 - introductions from PCN and Catalyst
11.15 - archive collection highlights and observatory tour
12.15 - presentation & Q+A with Howard Hopwood
13.00 - lunch and informal networking 
14.00 - close

Parking
Catalyst has a large, free car park

Prices
Places for PCN members are priced at £10, with tickets for non-members priced at £15. Ticket prices include refreshments and a contribution to the work of the museum. Places are extremely limited - so please book quickly to avoid disappointment!

Credit for image below: exterior of Catalyst Science Discovery Centre (Mersey Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 0DF), courtesy of Catalyst Science Discovery Centre.

This day-long seminar with esteemed photography conservator Susie Clark will cover the history and identification of photographic processes and techniques, common preservation problems and solutions. Held in collaboration with the Social History Curators Group.

Photographs are found in many collections in museums, libraries and archives. Their care requires an understanding of the nature of different photographic processes and their requirements. This one day course is aimed at those with responsibility for the care of photographic collections. It provides an introduction to the nature and identification of photographic processes and an understanding of their associated conservation issues and solutions. It will also cover the preservation measures which need to be taken to ensure the collections remain in good condition in the future.

Susie Clark ACR is an ICON accredited conservator and consultant, specialising in the conservation of photographs. After qualifying in paper conservation from Camberwell School of Art and Craft, she was the conservator for the BBC Hulton Picture Library. She has been a freelance conservator since 1990, working primarily for institutions, both in this country and abroad. In 1996, she was the recipient of the Museums and Galleries Commission Conservation Award for Research and Innovation.

The event runs 10:00 to 16:45 approx. Museum doors open at 09:00. Registration from 09:45.
NB Lunch is not provided – the Museum has a café, and we can also point you to places nearby.

Programme Outline
09.45 – 10.00    Registration
10.00 – 10.15    Welcome and introductions
10.15 – 11.45    History and identification of photographic processes
11.45 – 12.00    Break
12.00 – 13.00    Conservation problems and solutions
13.00 – 14.00    Lunch break
14.00 – 15.00    Conservation problems and solutions
15.00 – 15.15    Tea
15.15 – 16.30    Preservation measures
16.30 - 16.45     Close

Tickets will cost £20 and can only be booked by members of the PCN.

*This second date is now FULLY BOOKED. Please contact maura@photocollections.org.uk if you're interested in being added to the waitlist (please note you might be contacted at the last minute if cancellation should free up a space) or if you have booked a place and have any questions.*