This initiative supports sharing and disseminating the skills needed to create, use, and store scientific specimens to the global museum community.
Specimen preparation braids together art and science. Specimens must capture the essence of a species, but also provide accurate data for generations to come. The skills required to prepare and maintain specimens are unique, and institutions that offer this training are becoming scarce. We offer personalized training to curators and collections managers that seek to grow, manage, and make their collections accessible. This initiative has grown out of necessity as museum workers routinely inquire about skill sharing opportunities. We’ve offered museum workshops both locally and internationally and these efforts stimulate and foster community. Providing this experience for international collaborators is a priority. Thus, one goal is to create opportunities for interested and qualified personnel to travel to the CUMV and gain hands on training in curatorial responsibilities, best practices, collections use and care, etc. In return, these skill sharing initiatives will facilitate growth of natural history collections among collaborators, fueling local discovery and training in museum techniques. We know of no other initiative like this and, with your support, look forward to continuing these efforts.