Collections Risk Assessment at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Abstract

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science's (DMNS) risk assessment evaluated hazards to collections in storage using the Cultural Property Risk Analysis Model (CPRAM; Waller 2003a) to structure a comprehensive assessment and calculate magnitude of risk. Magnitude of risk (MR) is the fraction of collection value expected to be lost given one hundred years exposure to current conditions. The MR is the simple product of four variables (Fraction Susceptible [FS], Loss in Value [LV], Probability [P], and Extent [E]) that are multiplied as follows: MR = FS x LV x P x E. This paper describes the process as implemented at the DMNS and the resultant collections preservation strategies (Southward and Thorwald 2010). The implementation of these strategies are significantly improving DMNS collections stewardship and is an essential step in a larger preservation process (new storage facility) that results in safe and more accessible storage of the 1.4 million objects the Museum holds in public trust.

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