RIZIK – a risk management survey for Croatian museums geared towards the better assessment, prevention and reduction of risk

Authors

  • Valentina Ljubić Tobisch Art / Conservation / Science, Vienna, Austria
  • Mirta Pavić Conservation Department, The Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb, Croatia
  • Jasna Širec Quality Control Department, TEVA Pliva, Zagreb, Croatia
  • Žana Matulić Bilač Conservation Department of Split, Croatian Conservation Institute, Split, Croatia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15291/libellarium.3475

Keywords:

cultural heritage, earthquake demage, long-term prevention, risk assesment survey

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of the survey on risk management in Croatian museums was to collect comprehensive data on the preparedness of Croatian cultural organisations for various risks in order to better assess, prevent and reduce risks.

Approach and methodology. Against the background of the devastating damage caused by the March 2020 earthquake to cultural heritage in Zagreb, Croatia, the International Institute for the Restoration of Historical and Artistic Works, IIC-Croatian Group, conducted a national survey under the name of RIZIK. The online survey included 73 questions divided into four categories: general information about the institution, the property including buildings and collections, followed by questions on finances and audience. Questions on safety and regular maintenance, work and business plans, essential emergency services in case of danger, possible hazards and risks affecting the buildings and the collection, along with questions on measures that can help prevent or minimise risks and damage to the collection, the building, staff, and visitors, are part of the survey.

Findings. As many as 188 museums were invited to participate in the survey, more than 100 responded, although some answered the questions only partially. This paper shows a cross-section of the general situation in Croatian museums, addresses the problem of modernising exhibition and depository spaces, describes the idea behind the survey, and discusses its results and possibilities for enhancement.

Originality/value. The RIZIK survey is the first risk management survey sent to all museum institutions in the Republic of Croatia. The collected data are an important first insight into the current state and standards in Croatian museums, galleries and collections. Based on the results obtained, the survey participants can identify areas where they can strengthen or change their work practices, organisation and further planning.

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Author Biographies

  • Valentina Ljubić Tobisch, Art / Conservation / Science, Vienna, Austria

    Valentina Ljubić Tobisch holds an academic title in physical chemistry and graduated in metal conservation. From 2003 to 2017 she worked at the Technisches Museum Wien in Vienna, Austria, and from 2010 to 2013 she worked as a Senior Lecturer at the Arts Academy in Split, Croatia. She was awarded the TÜV Austria Science Prize for the development of the strategy for the treatment of museum objects containing asbestos. In 2021, she was granted a research project by the Austrian Academy of Sciences in the field of early photography and electrotyping. She currently works at the Technische Universität in Vienna.

  • Mirta Pavić , Conservation Department, The Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb, Croatia

    Mirta Pavić is the Head of the Conservation Department of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MSU) in Zagreb, Croatia. She received her M.A. in Conservation from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, University of Ljubljana. Mirta also teaches a compulsory course on modern and contemporary art conservation at the Arts Academy, University of Split and is a visiting lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana. She is a member of the ICOM-CC working group Modern Materials and Contemporary Art, a coordinator of the Conservation Section and a member of the Executive Committee of the Croatian Museum Association (CMA).

  • Jasna Širec, Quality Control Department, TEVA Pliva, Zagreb, Croatia

    Jasna Širec is an analyst employed in the Quality Control Department of TEVA Pliva in Zagreb, Croatia, where she performs laboratory analyses of pharmaceutical products. A graduate engineer of chemical technology, she completed her university studies at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana.

  • Žana Matulić Bilač , Conservation Department of Split, Croatian Conservation Institute, Split, Croatia

    Žana Matulić Bilač worked for the Ministry of Culture from 1990 to 2006 and since then at the Croatian Conservation Institute. Since 1997 she has been engaged as a professor at the Art Academy in Split. She restored some of the most complex Medieval polychrome sculptures, icons, and painted crosses in Croatia. She earned her BA degree from the University of Split, going on to study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana. She is currently a PhD student of Art History at the University of Zadar. She is the current president of the IIC - Croatian group.

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Published

2022-08-26

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2022): Libellarium: journal for research in the field of information and related sciences

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 Valentina Ljubić Tobisch, Mirta Pavić , Jasna Širec, Žana Matulić Bilač

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

“RIZIK – a Risk Management Survey for Croatian Museums Geared towards the Better Assessment, Prevention and Reduction of Risk”. 2022. Libellarium: Journal for Research in the Field of Information and Related Sciences 13 (1): 17-30. https://doi.org/10.15291/libellarium.3475.