Collections access Collection access policy

This policy explains how Historic Royal Palaces makes the collection publicly available. It sets out how this access and its associated risks will be managed and where possible increased in line with professional standards. It also explains how items are lent and borrowed.

Industry standard terms have been used throughout and a glossary can be found at the end of this document

Version 1.1

Reviewed by: Executive Board – 17 June 2014 Approved: Board of Trustees – 23 July 2014 Review date: on or before July 2019

This policy replaces and updates the Collections Management Policy, 2009

Collections access Contents

1 Purpose of Policy 1.4

2 Policy Implementation 1.4

3 Statement of Authority, Responsibilities, Cause, Principles and Strategic aims 1.5

4 Engaging with the Collection 1.6

5 Using the Collection – Photography and Filming 1.8

6 Lending and Borrowing 1.8

7 Managing risks to the Collection 1.9

8 Staffing 1.10

Appendix 1: Legal, Ethical and Standards Framework 1.11

A Legislation applying to all Collections Management Polices

B Ethical codes applying to all Collections Management Policies

C Sectoral standards applying to all Collections Management Policies

D Memoranda of Understanding applying to all Collections Management Policies

E Collection Information Policy

F Collection Access Policy

G Collection Care and Conservation Policy

Glossary 1.13 CONSERVATION & COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENTCOLLECTIONS

1.3 In line with the Accreditation Scheme, this 1 Purpose of Policy policy details how we will:

Introduction • maintain at least minimum professional standards in access to the HRP collection. Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity that looks after the Tower of • extend access to the HRP collection and , , Banqueting collection information including facilitating House, , and physical, sensory and intellectual . Each is symbolic of access on site and virtually and by lending the United Kingdom, and all have world and borrowing. significance. Once they were only for the privileged: now everyone can visit. They’re Our strategy for the physical security of the not just places but palaces: buildings where HRP collection is set out in the HRP Security monarchs and their courts lived, and where Instructions and the Collection Care and history was made. These palaces witnessed Conservation Policy, 2014 many of the defining moments of our nation, and collectively they explain much of the nation’s story. 2 Policy Implementation We give these palaces continuing life. We welcome people, we stage events and we Our policies and procedures are informed entertain. by relevant legal and ethical frameworks, This policy is part of Historic Royal Palaces alongside appropriate national and (HRP) Collections Management Policy international standards, as set out in Framework, which consists of: Appendix I.

• Collection Development Policy, 2014 Managers should ensure that the Collections Management Policy Framework and supporting • Collection Information Policy, 2014 procedures/plans, as detailed below, are taken account of in the areas for which they • Collection Access Policy, 2014 are responsible. • Collection Care and Conservation Policy, 2014 • Collection Care and Conservation Plan, 2014 • Human Remains Policy, 2014 • Collections Management Procedures Manual

• Exhibition Conservation Specification The purpose of the Collection Access Policy is to ensure we fulfil our responsibilities in • Collection Object Security Procedures relation to access to HRP’s collection in line with the HRP Strategic Plan and in proportion • Learning and Engagement Strategy, 2013 to resources available. This policy is intended • Digital Strategy, 2013 to state the parameters for the standards we apply as well as our key current terms of • Domestic Audiences Strategy, 2013 reference for best practice. • Documentation Plan, 2014 Historic Royal Palaces comprises five • Security Instructions Accredited Museums. The Accreditation Scheme is administered by Arts Council • Major Incident Plan, 2013 (ACE) which sets nationally agreed standards for UK Museums. • HRP Health Safety & Environmental Management System The Collections Management Strategy Collections access 3 Statement of Authority, Board consists of staff who have Responsibilities, responsibility for the management of Cause, Principles and the HRP collection. Together they advise on, produce and implement the policies Strategic aims and strategy and ensure support for and delivery of the objectives and actions for Statement of Authority Collections Management in HRP’s Strategic Plan, Annual Operating Plans and Major The HRP Royal Charter, 1998 established a Projects. Board of Trustees of Historic Royal Palaces. Under the Charter the ‘objects of Historic Royal Collections Management staff, Collection- Palaces shall be, for the benefit of the nation: curators, conservators and security staff at HRP are responsible for carrying out the to manage, conserve, renovate, repair, objectives of the Collections Management maintain and improve the palaces to a high Strategy, to the standards and procedures standard consistent with their status as set out in the Collections Management buildings of royal, historic and architectural policy framework and those supporting importance; and to help everyone to learn procedures. about the palaces, the skills required for their conservation and the wider story of All staff at HRP must be aware of the how monarchs and people together have collection care responsibilities outlined shaped society by providing public access, in the Collections Management policy by exhibition, by events and education framework and make sure that they carry programmes, by the preparation of records, by out their own work without detriment research and by publication and by such other to any objects in our care and without means as are appropriate.’ compromise to this policy framework.

Our Cause Responsibilities for the HRP collection To help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, The Board of Trustees has ultimate in some of the greatest palaces ever built. responsibility for ensuring that the collection at the palaces are maintained and used in accordance with the ordinances of HRP’s Principles Royal Charter. Our work is guided by four principles: CONSERVATION The Chief Executive and Executive Board are responsible for ensuring that the Collections Guardianship Management Policy Framework is implemented We exist for tomorrow, not just for across the departments of HRP and for yesterday. Our job is to give these palaces scheduled review of the policies. a future as valuable as their past. We know how precious they and their contents & The Director of the Conservation & Learning are, and we aim to conserve them to the COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENTCOLLECTIONS Department will ensure that the Collections standard they deserve: the best. Management Policy Framework is followed effectively by providing appropriate and Discovery adequate numbers of staff and financial We explain the bigger picture, and then resources to carry out the Collections encourage people to make their own Management Strategy. The Director of the discoveries, in particular, to find links with Conservation & Learning Department will their own lives and with the world today also advise and guide directors of other HRP departments in any areas where the policies affect their work.

1.5 Showmanship HRP is committed to offering the widest and We do everything with panache. Palaces most appropriate forms of access to the HRP have always been places of spectacle, beauty, collection, expertise, facilities and services. We majesty and pageantry, and we are proud to are actively working to overcome any physical, continue that tradition. intellectual, cultural, attitudinal, digital and financial barriers, through integrating equality Independence and diversity into everything that we do. We have a unique task, and our own point of view. We challenge ourselves to find new ways All staff responsible for collections to do our work. We are an independent charity, management activities will keep abreast of not funded by the Government or , best current practice and new technologies in and we are keen to welcome everyone who can documentation and use these as appropriate support our Cause. to develop and encourage public access to the HRP collection. Through these principles, we will keep these palaces alive, so that more and more people can explore their story, and find anchors that Public access and visitor services for make the world a less uncertain place. the HRP collection

We maintain and open the palaces in our care for public enjoyment and benefit. Access to Strategic Aims these buildings and their collections is by a We have five major strategic aims with which range of admission charges and membership to face the challenges of the future: and educational and community events.

• Give the palaces the care they deserve We present a broad range of exhibitions, displays, events and activities which reflect • Transform the way visitors explore their story many cultures, societies and artistic practices. We define target audiences and develop • Have wider impact in the world interpretation, informed by evaluation, to suit • Build one organisation united behind these audiences. our Cause We deliver a wide range of learning • Generate the money to make it all possible programmes which are developed to suit different levels of prior knowledge, cultural and educational backgrounds, interests and 4 Engaging with the learning styles. Disabled visitor access and special HRP collection requirements will be considered in the design of any new collection display or exhibition. This Principles accords with our existing policy statement on HRP’s collection includes both movable and Visitor Access, which outlines our compliance immovable collection items. Information about with the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995. the HRP collection and associated intellectual The HRP collection supports our character property is key to enabling access to the HRP and events driven stories connecting visitors collection. across time, transporting them to different We aim to enable appropriate kinds of eras and are central to supporting our Cause. access to all items for which we are legally We recognise the opportunities to provide responsible: HRP collection objects, loans wider public access to the HRP collection to HRP, in-situ objects, and information relating to it, through a objects on deposit (known collectively as the multi-channelled approach, via special access collection), un-accessioned and previously facilities, on site interpretation, on-line and undocumented objects. Information must be digital applications and other media. available for inspection by HRP’s auditors. Access to objects not on display is Open display methods have been the key Collections access increasingly made available to the public approach at the palaces since their public wherever possible and appropriate. Collection opening in the 19th century. We continue store access is facilitated, controlled and to be committed to using this method of monitored by curators or conservators. display where appropriate to collection objects, whilst recognising and addressing Access to the HRP collection is carefully the long-term conservation and security monitored to ensure that the conservation issues this presents for certain areas of requirements are not compromised or the collection. threatened, and to secure the future preservation and continuing public enjoyment Exhibitions and displays drawn from of the HRP collection in accordance with the the permanent collection supplemented Collection Care and Conservation Policy, 2014. by objects from the Royal Collection will be held according to the Approved Educational and visitor interpretation Interpretation Programme agreed by provision relating to the HRP collection comes the relevant Palace Programme Board, under the responsibility of HRP Learning & in order to increase access to the history Engagement and Creative Programming & of the palaces and their collections. Interpretation teams. All major new or revised Temporary displays and exhibitions will be initiatives using the collection are created in supplemented by strategically identified consultation with our L&E and CP&I teams loan objects with the aim of offering the most effective learning to all kinds of visitors. Storage HRP’s L&E Team also maintains its own small handling collection separate from We aim to put as much of the HRP the HRP collection to support their object- collection on public display as possible. based learning initiatives. This is not covered Storage will normally be limited to by this policy and its ultimate care is the certain categories of objects unsuitable responsibility of the Head of Learning and for continuous display for conservation Engagement at HRP. All handling collection reasons, categories of object providing acquisitions are made in consultation with a research resource such as architectural curatorial staff to complement the objects fixtures or archaeology, objects removed as held in the HRP collection. a result of re-display and objects awaiting conservation or display in the near future.

Display of the collection We are committed to and are actively working towards achieving ‘good’ standards The collection is primarily displayed in the CONSERVATION for documentation, conservation and safety context of re-created historic room settings at in collection store areas in accordance with the palaces, which are generally interpreted the Collection Care and Conservation Policy together using a range of methods that and Plan, 2014. complement these important palace buildings

and their integral collections. Wider public access to the HRP collection, & both on site and remote, will be taken into

Our primary aim is to display and explain the MANAGEMENTCOLLECTIONS account in the design and management of palaces, their history and their collections collection storage facilities as part of as historical entities rather than adopting a our conservation and collections traditional museological approach. management plans. The Pigott Galleries at Kensington Palace have been set up to provide a traditional case- display space allowing the protected display of historic dress exhibitions.

1.7 5 Using the collection – 6 Lending and Borrowing Photography and Filming We actively lend and borrow historic objects to enhance the presentation of our historic Commercial or reference photography of buildings and the HRP collection, as well as to items in the HRP collection should only be foster mutually beneficial partnerships with the undertaken by a member of the Curatorial owners of complementary collections. or Conservation and Collection Care teams, a photographer approved by the staff All loans will be managed according to responsible for the HRP Photographic Library the relevant procedures as detailed in the or a supervised photographer. Photography Collections Management Procedures Manual. of the collection is to be carried out under the supervision of a curator, conservator or collections management staff. For Loans to HRP commissioned photography, copyright must be Both short term loans for exhibition and longer assigned to HRP. term loans – typically three years, will be HRP collection objects may only be sought in accordance with the same criteria as photographed by visitors when on public for acquisitions in order to enhance the palace display in areas where photography is displays and historic interiors or for temporary permitted and photography guidelines adhered exhibition. to. Permission to photograph or reproduce by All loans will be subject to the same standards any means an object that is on loan to an HRP- for display, care and security as the HRP managed palace – or is a Royal Collection item collection, as well as ACE’s guidelines. We in-situ rests solely with the owner of the object. are eligible for insurance cover under the Permission to reproduce photographs of items Government Indemnity Scheme. This cover in the HRP collection must be obtained in will be applied for whenever possible. Before advance from HRP’s Photographic Library. The agreeing any loan with initial conservation Retail Department is responsible for issuing requirements from the lender the cost benefits licences for commercial use of the design of – including staff resources – will be fully HRP collection objects (providing these are reviewed and taken into account. no longer subject to others’ copyright) in All loans to HRP must be governed by a consultation with the Chief Curator. written loan agreement, either the lender’s Official photographers (including journalists, loan agreement where this is stipulated, or writers, broadcasters) wishing to take else by our own ‘Loan-in’ Agreement. Loans photographs of or film any part of the palaces will be agreed for a fixed period, which may be or the collection, whether inside or out, must renewed by mutual agreement. obtain approval from the HRP Head of Media Objects located in the Historic Royal Palaces and Public Relations (or nominated Press belonging to HM The Queen remain the Officer). An official permit, with conditions responsibility of the Royal Collection Trust, which may include the use of tripods, will be which delegates aspects of its day-to-day issued if approval is granted and may only care, conservation, security and presentation be used for the purpose stated. Any filming to HRP. These are not treated as formal activity must adhere to HRP’s guidelines loans as they remain within the royal palaces for photography and filming and will be and are governed by the Memorandum of supervised by a member of the Conservation Understanding between HRP and the Royal and Collection Care team. Household and are defined as objects ‘in-situ’. Any actions concerning them are discussed and agreed with the Royal Collection Trust.

Any object deposited with HRP for conservation treatment by our conservators or for any other purpose not covered by a HRP has a Major Incident Plan, including Collections access loan agreement (such as an item offered on salvage and protection procedures for approval or for opinion) must be covered by collections at each of its palaces. It is a form of contract or the owner’s particular reviewed every 12 months by the HRP Fire, terms and insurance arrangements. Staff Health & Safety Adviser. members who manage the collection will Risk assessments of any potential hazards ensure that all such objects are treated to the (e.g. fire, theft, damage) to the HRP same standards of care and security as the collection and by the HRP collection HRP collection. will be made and acted upon by all staff responsible for the display, security, Loans from HRP movement, transport and storage of the HRP collection. HRP Collections As far as possible we will support public Management Procedures Manual includes exhibitions and museum or gallery displays relevant information on display and with short-term loans from the HRP collection security. Professional advice or guidelines as a means of making the HRP collection should be consulted whenever procedures available to a wider public. The condition are not yet established or unfamiliar of objects and their importance to our own situations arise. displays and visitor requirements will be taken into account before agreeing to lend. Due diligence We will expect loans from the HRP collection to be covered by the Government Indemnity Guidelines issued by the Department of Scheme (or its foreign national equivalents) Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) define whenever applicable or by equivalent levels of due diligence as the necessary precaution insurance cover. Borrowers will be required to that museums take to ensure that they sign our own ‘Loans-out’ terms of agreement acquire, borrow or lend only ethically and to agree any special conditions of loan. acceptable items and reject items that may have been looted or illegally exported.

The Deputy Chief Curator has overall responsibility for ensuring the appropriate 7 Managing risks to the due diligence procedures are carried out.

HRP collection Work on due diligence is assigned to the curator in the case of an acquisition The physical, environmental and security risks and loan request, as appropriate. Where to the HRP collection will be regularly assessed appropriate, further guidance and advice CONSERVATION by the appropriate collection curators, will be sought from additional curatorial conservators and security operational staff and specialist consultants, such as according to HRP procedures and guidelines. colleagues from within HRP, other national Adequate measures will be taken to prevent museums, academic institutions, and major loss or damage to the collection at any palace

auction houses as well as consulting art & location or during movement between, or loss databases. All staff involved in due

at temporary locations outside, the palaces. MANAGEMENTCOLLECTIONS diligence checking will have training. These should follow current ACE museum standards. HRP will carry out checks on provenance, ethical status and proof of import into HRP will adopt the minimum security and export out of a particular country standards for display in all areas according to of cultural objects in accordance with the ACE national security standards. Levels the legislation and guidelines listed in of higher protection will follow the advice of Appendix 1. HRP’s own security advisor, the stipulations of individual lenders or the national security advisor at ACE.

1.9 HRP will not acquire or borrow any item unless it is satisfied that the owner/lender has full title 8 Staffing and that they or any agent acting for them has Expert knowledge of the collection and full legal authority to enter into an agreement collection conservation is recognised as with HRP. HRP will not proceed should there essential to its management and care, as well be any doubt over the legality of ownership, as to increase public education and enjoyment removal from the country of origin, or entry of it. This expertise also provides staff with the into the UK. authority and essential intellectual material Records and documentation of due diligence with which to present the collection within are to be retained. All relevant correspondence, their palace contexts, in line with our Cause details of published information, signed and Principles. loan agreements, lender’s evidence and Collection research material will be organised photographic evidence is to be kept on according to curatorial guidelines and made permanent files by our Registrar. This data accessible to colleagues, professional enquirers will be stored in accordance with Spectrum and to the public, with due acknowledgement standards and under direction from the where material is published or otherwise National Archives on stewardship of distributed. Research is included in individual public records. collections curators’ job descriptions and team HRP will respond formally to any bone fide work plans. enquiries or claims of ownership regarding All staff at HRP who work with the HRP object(s) within the HRP collection. collection will be given appropriate training Each item in the collection will be subjected on HRP’s Collections Management approach to exactly the same due diligence processes. and procedures to ensure that the highest This policy applies equally to contemporary standards are maintained and that all staff material as well as historic. understand their responsibilities towards the HRP collection.

Disability Discrimination Act, 1995 Collections access (as amended)

Equality Act, 2006

Human Rights Act, 1998

Race Relations Act, 1976

Racial and Religious Hatred Act, 2006

Sex Discrimination Act, 1975

Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1999

The Environmental Information Regulations, 2004

Appendix 1: COSHH: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, 2002 Legal, Ethical and Standards Framework Treasure Act, 1996

HRP’s Collections Management Policy Framework is informed by legislation, ethical B. Ethical codes applying to all Collections codes and appropriate sectoral standards. Management Policies

Code of Ethics for Museums, ICOM, 2006 A. Legislation applying to all Collections (including the ICOM ‘Red List’) Management Polices Code of Ethics for Museums, Museums HRP’s Royal Charter, 1998, as amended 2006 Association, 2008

The Public Records Acts, 1958, as Combating Illicit Trade: Due Diligence amended 1967 Guidelines for Museums, Libraries and Archives on collecting and borrowing The Data Protection Act, 1998 Cultural Material, DCMS, 2005

The Freedom of Information Act, 2000 DCMS Code of Practice Guidance for the CONSERVATION Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Care of Human Remains in Museums, Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and October 2005 Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, UK Export Licensing for Cultural Goods – UNESCO, 1970 Procedures and guidance for exporters of works of art and other culture goods, The Requirements of HM Customs & Revenue & DCMS, 1997

Copyright Act, 1911 and 1956 MANAGEMENTCOLLECTIONS Statement of Principles issued by the Copyright and Related Rights National Museum Directors Conference on Regulations, 2003 spoliation of works of art during the Holocaust and World War II period, 1998 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988

Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act, 2003

1.11 C. Sectoral standards applying to all • MARC (‘machine-readable cataloguing’) Collections Management Policies data standards (Library of Congress, 1999, revisions through 2013) • Spectrum: UK Museum Collections Management Standard • Art and Architecture Thesaurus, The J.Paul Getty Trust • PAS197:2009: Code of practice for cultural collections management, BSi and Collections Trust F. Collection Access Policy

• Accreditation Standard, Arts Council • Loans between National and Non-national England, 2011 Museums – New standard and practical guidelines, National Museum Directors’ Conference, 2003 D. Memoranda of Understanding applying to • Display Case supplement, UK all Collections Management Policies Registrars’ Group • MoU with The Royal Household, 2010 • Standard Facilities Report, UK • MoU with the , 2010 Registrars’ Group

• MoU with the Royal Fusiliers • Standard Facilities Report Security Museum, 2010 Supplement, UK Registrars’ Group

• MoU with the Chapel Royal HCP, 2011 • Government Indemnity Scheme Guidelines for Transport, July 2012. • MoU with the Royal Mint Museum, 2011

G. Collection Care and Conservation Policy E. Collection Information Policy • PAS 198:2012 Specification for managing • Spectrum: UK Museum Collections environmental conditions for Management Standard v0.4 cultural collections

• ISAD(g): General International Standard • Benchmarks in Collections Care for Museums, Archival Description, International Council Archives and Libraries, 2007 on Archives, 2007 • Statement of Principles issued by the • Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules National Museum Directors Conference on (‘AACR’, Joint Steering Committee, 2nd environmental conditions for lending, 2010 ed., 2002 revision): international library documentation standard. In process of • ‘Bizot’ Group Agreement: Achieving super cession by Resource Description sustainability for galleries and museums, 2013 and Access (‘RDA’, 2010, revisions • PD 5454:2012 Guide for the storage and through 2013) exhibition of archival materials

• Codes of Ethics: ICOM-CC /ICON

• Institute of Conservation’s (ICON) Conservation Register 2013 Collections access Agents of Decay Strategy Board: An HRP Board which meets biannually to steer collection risk management. It aims to reduce the probability and impact of physical and environmental risk to the collection, whilst balancing conservation and commercial use. Led by conservators, the Board is made up of senior staff from the curatorial team, surveyors, maintenance, visitor services and operations.

Archaeological archive: The objects, information, images, records and plans created through an archaeological excavation.

Cataloguing: The process of documenting an object on the Collections Management Glossary System.

Accessioning: The process of formally CCC: Conservation and Collection Care, recording the admission of a new object or HRP’s conservation team. group of objects into the collection. CM Team: Collections Management Team Accession Register: A bound paper record of responsible to ensure we have governance all objects which are, or have been, part of the policies and procedures in place for the organisation’s permanent Collection. management of the collection.

Accreditation: The scheme administered CMS: Collections Management System. by (ACE) which HRP’s collection database jointly managed assigns accredited status to museums and with the Royal Collection Trust. organisations with collections management Collection access: Means of making use that meets the standards set out in ACE’s of, engaging with, communicating with or publication: The Accreditation Standard. lending objects or information.

Acquisition: The legal process of transferring Collection development: Adding to, ownership of an object from one person or researching, reviewing and removing items organisation to another. from HRP’s collections in accordance with CONSERVATION Agents of Decay: The ten ways in which a our policies. collection can be damaged include; thieves, Collection information: Information and vandals, displacers, fire, water, pests, knowledge collected, created, held and contaminants, radiation (light), incorrect maintained about an object, group of temperature or humidity and disassociation.

objects, events or activities associated with & The Framework for the Preservation of objects in the collection.

Museum Collections, published by the MANAGEMENTCOLLECTIONS Canadian Conservation Institute, lists Collections management: The strategies, mitigating actions based on building features, policies, processes and procedures related portable fittings and procedures which can to collections development, information, protect an object or collection. access and care.

Collection risk management: The process of identifying and quantifying conservation- related risks to the collections; and planning and implementing mitigation measures to reduce those risks.

1.13 Conservation records: Reports and ‘In-situ’: Objects managed by the photographs recording the condition and Royal Collection Trust and displayed treatments carried out on all objects, including at an HRP-managed property in their testing of materials to be used in the treatment original locations. Collection Care is or display and any investigations relevant. managed according to a Memorandum of Working notes, time and cost estimates and Understanding reviewed and renewed at material lists are also part of these records. regular intervals.

Conservation science: The interdisciplinary KPI: Key Performance Indicator – CCC has research field encompassing all technological defined four KPIs for environmental risk and scientific work that can benefit management – relative humidity, visible conservation. light, ultraviolet light and dust.

De-accessioning: the process of formally Loan: An object (or a group of objects) removing an object from the collection. belonging to another organisation or individual given to HRP for a fixed term Designated collection: A group of objects subject to a separate contract, usually for identified as a pre-eminent collection of display or exhibition purposes. national and international importance held in England’s non-national museums, libraries Loan Agreement: A contract between HRP and archives. The Designation Scheme is and the owner detailing the terms and administered by Arts Council England (ACE). conditions of the loan which includes the fixed term period. Disposal: The legal process of removing an object from the collection – by destruction, Object: An item which forms part of HRP’s transfer or sale. collection: permanent (recorded in the accession register); support; temporary Documentation: The information, images and (e.g. a loan); or those used for educational records held about objects. It also refers to the handling. process of creating the records. Object files: Paper filing system containing Government Indemnity Scheme: A scheme original documents related to permanent under which the government is responsible for collection objects which complements and the payment of compensation, in the event of backs up the online database. loss or damage to items which are on loan to a collections-holding organisation in the UK. Permanent collection: Formally Borrowing organisations do not have to pay accessioned objects acquired by HRP any premiums under the scheme, but they are in accordance with a written acquisition required to accept a minimum liability. policy.

HRP: Historic Royal Palaces. Preventive conservation: The mitigation of environmental, physical, chemical HRP collection: those items owned by Historic and biological risks to the collections Royal Palaces and containing the permanent and decorative interiors within HRP’s and support collections. care, informed by the Agents of Decay Handling collection: Objects intended for framework. demonstration or handling which have not RCDC: Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. been accessioned and are not part of the A Designated collection formed of HRP permanent collection. Managed by the owned and loan items managed by HRP. Learning & Engagement Team. Collections access Safeguarding: The process of planning and supervising an activity taking place in proximity to historic collections and/or interiors in order to prevent or reduce the risk of damage occurring as a result.

SOIE: State of the Interior Estate: an Excel-based survey tool that quantifies and prioritises conservation treatments for the entire collection in HRP’s care, established in 2004.

Source: The owner or creator of an object prior to its addition to the collection.

Support collection: Objects which have not been accessioned and are not part of the permanent collection. Support collections may include replica or reproduction items, or objects acquired to supplement an exhibition.

The collection: Those items owned by HRP (permanent or support collections), under the care of the Royal Collection Trust and in situ at the HRP-managed palaces or on loan from the Royal Armouries, and many other lenders.

Top Ten conservation campaigns: A list of the top ten most vulnerable objects, exterior or interior decorative features in the collection, drawn up in 2006, and reported on annually to enable Trustees to monitor progress made in conserving the collection against the investment of staff and financial resource (£1.7m over ten years, excluding salary).

Transfer of Title: A legal term to describe the formal process of a change of ownership of an object from one person or organisation CONSERVATION to another.

Treatment conservation: Treatments carried out on HRP and RC objects in the care of HRP. Textiles are conserved by in-house textile conservators while all other conservation & treatments are commissioned externally. COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENTCOLLECTIONS

1.15