The Covid-19 pandemic crystallized risks that were not previously considered enough in the industry, emphasized Žanete Grende, the head of the Ziedonis Museum, at the Museum Symposium.
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At the museum symposium, museum staff, together with various experts, addressed issues relevant to the museum industry, this time thinking about the topic “Security”.
At the opening of the symposium, Grende outlined the topicality of the topic of security, emphasizing the impact of changing conditions on museum work, risk management and the overall sense of security. She discovered that the pandemic had crystallized risks in the museum that had not been thought about enough before. One of the most significant risks, in her opinion, is the digital competences of museum staff and the ability to mobilize and adapt to changing conditions.
At the same time, the situation in Latvia can be assessed positively. The Latvian Association of Museums reports that there are no museums among its members that have been forced to lay off employees or close the museum altogether due to the consequences of the pandemic.
In turn, risk management expert Ants Grende and insurance joint stock company “BTA Baltic Insurance Company” expert Elīna Rasmane introduced the symposium listeners to the most important risks of cultural heritage institutions and factors that the insurer takes into account when preparing a policy for cultural and historical objects and objects. The experts shed light on the problematic situation in determining the value of museum objects, which in the practice of experts was incorrect, thus preventing the museum from receiving an insurance premium so that the damaged one could be restored.
At the end of the symposium, Kristiāna Salnāja, the communication specialist of the Ziedonis Museum, spoke about the various aspects of security, such as the security of museum visitors and staff, and how these values affect the museum’s communication. The lecturer emphasized that now more than ever it is important for museum visitors to feel safe in the museum environment.
“Museums, as research institutions, need to be bold, analytical and creative in identifying all possible risks for the future. Skillfully managing them in conditions of uncertainty creates responsible chains of action,” Grende concluded.
In order for the cooperation of the museum staff with the visitor to be a priority, it is necessary to minimize the time for technical works, which can be optimized with new technological solutions, ensuring general safety, says the head of the Ziedonis Museum.
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