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Purpose of the Project:

The intention is to create an illustrated, comprehensive manual that best describes the Art Handling Department at the National Gallery. This will include defining statements on the following:

• The purpose of the Department
• A mission statement describing the Departments philosophy and goals
• The history of the Departments formation
• The current departmental structure
• The general profile of those employed in the Department including job descriptions and recruitment procedure/aims
• The daily and long term activity, described in detailed form, including all handling/installation practices and administration procedures
• Any aspect of Health and safety best practice relevant to the Departments work
• The Departments training policy and practice
• Descriptions of standards worked to or believed set
• Research and development of equipment and procedures
• Emergency procedures

Proposed Function:

The Manual will have a number of functions, best described as follows:

An historical document;

The Manual will describe all aspects of Art Handling activity at the National Gallery as this point in time. This will allow practice to be compared to contemporary activity in other parts of the world and also to provide reference material when practices are changed or improved upon. Any changes made will be added as dated appendages.

An internal training and induction tool;

The Manual will provide comprehensive detail as reference material for other National Gallery departments (i.e. Conservation/Registrars). It will also be used as a training manual for any new employees to the Department. The Manual will also describe all administration procedures, being used to train any new management posts or inform managers of existing systems that may be reviewed.

As a public document;

The Manual will be used as a reference point for any outside source interested in the function of the Department. It will also be used as an external training tool and advisory document for other bodies seeking advice on the structure and standards an Art Handling Department may wish to use as a template.

The Manual will also be used to publicise the design and development work of new, specialised equipment the Department undertakes.

Potential users:

The Manual will be available for use to the following:

• Employees of the Department
• Other interested parties within the National Gallery
• Members of other Art Handling Departments (within UK & internationally)
• Associated Professional bodies researching information on the field.
• External scrutiny by official bodies i.e. National Audit Office