Keepsafes is a project that aims to empower communities outside the Museum to be able to preserve their own taonga and histories for future generations. 

However, giving conservation advice to the public can be fraught. There is a risk that advice offered in good-faith could result in damage if not interpreted correctly without in-person support. Canvassing the public to find out what they would like to take care of at home, Auckland Museum is developing a series of short videos for Youtube, TikTok and Instagram Reels. The content is short, snappy, and collection care focused, offering trustworthy advice that helps people protect their taonga from the 10 Agents of Deterioration. The videos incorporate techniques and supplies that the public can use, afford and are available to them, whilst understanding the home environment, and the pitfalls of preservation in the New Zealand climate. 

This presentation will cover the production of the series, the adaptation of the Collection Care expertise into publicly accessible format, and the marketing of the end-product to make sure its reaching the right audiences.

Anika Klee is the Senior Collection Manager, Collection Care at Auckland Museum. A large portion of the role of Collection Care is educating staff on the 10 Agents of Deterioration and how we can slow down the effects on our collection, trying to keep them for generations to come. Originally from Wellington, Anika has been at Auckland Museum for 12 years in a variety of roles, and the museum sector since 2007 and enjoys the problem solving that comes with working with collections.

Steph Strock is the Web Content Producer & Analyst at Auckland Museum. Steph’s mahi focuses on better connecting the communities of Tāmaki Makaurau with their Museum and taonga. This has been achieved by digital content creation - making Auckland Museum’s collections and research accessible and engaging for the public. Recently the Museum successfully launched its new podcast, The Amp, which Steph writes and produces.