Pennsylvania State University (Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery)

The Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery will purchase an art storage system and data loggers to improve the storage conditions of 198 paintings from its Steidle Collection of American Industrial Art. The Steidle Collection depicts workplaces, workers, landscapes, and urban scenes associated with the extractive industries in Pennsylvania during the first half of the 20th century. Project activities include preparing the space, purchasing and installing movable art racks and art rack wall panels, unwrapping the Steidle Collection objects, updating condition reports and database entries, installing the objects on the racks, and installing data loggers. A paintings conservator will inspect and evaluate all objects in the Steidle Collection to help establish and prioritize conservation needs. The project will enable access for the conservation assessment as well as provide for the ongoing activities of inventory, inspection, maintenance, exhibition planning, installation preparation, and fulfilling loan requests.