Collaboration is Key to Security

I had the pleasure of presenting at the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCPP) annual conference, held this year in Denver, Colorado, from August 13–18, 2022. The IFCPP is a professional organization that “serves cultural property institutions and professionals with a trusted network for information sharing, training, certification, advocacy, resource-sharing, and professional connections.”

My presentation topic was “Fostering Inter-Departmental Collaboration for Optimal Cultural Property Security.” Over the course of my career, I have become increasingly aware that robust communication and collaboration between museum security and the other departments within the institution of which they are a part directly benefits the security of the collections and the safety of the museum staff and visitors.

In some cultural institutions “siloing” can occur. This is when departments operate in varying degrees of isolation from one another. Communication and collaboration can be inconsistent, ineffective, and awkward.

Security, working in close collaboration with museum colleagues such as the registrar, who oversees collections management, and the curators, who develop exhibitions, as well as with other colleagues who are part of college-wide departments, such as Facilities Management, can ensure that security is part of the conversation when planning exhibitions, events, and capital projects.  

Identifying shared goals is the foundation of inter-departmental collaboration. These goals are the protection and conservation of cultural property held by the institution, the protection of staff and visitors from all potential hazards and the maintenance of the institution’s facilities and building.

Understanding the scope, expertise and processes of different departments is a constructive way to facilitate collaboration. Having a greater understanding of the work of colleagues in other departments can result in the development of a common language that will make communication more effective. Supporting the goals of other departments and celebrating successes can build team cohesion.

Fostering inter-departmental collaboration leads to the shared understanding that collection security and life safety are everyone’s business, not just security. Key to that understanding is consistent communication and steady, strong relationships between departments.  

Steve Perkins, MFA, CIPM, CIPI
Assistant Director of Cultural Property Security, Bowdoin College