Stemming the Tide Conference Program

Climate change has become one of the most significant and fastest growing threats to people and their cultural heritage around the globe. Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Collections Program for a two-day conference that examines the impact of climate change on cultural heritage and communities worldwide, discusses the responsibilities of stewards of cultural heritage in fostering collaborative solutions, addresses urgent questions of equity and inclusion, and identifies strategies that leverage cultural heritage for climate action.

A full-day symposium highlights innovative climate stories and strategies in cultural heritage. A second day of dynamic breakout sessions, held at six Smithsonian museums and research centers, will each explore one of the six categories of cultural heritage identified by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

8:30–9 a.m.
Registration check-in
McEvoy Auditorium, enter at 8th and G Streets NW

Morning Session

9–9:15 a.m.
Amber Kerr, chief of conservation, Smithsonian American Art Museum
Andrew Potts, coordinator, Climate Change and Heritage Working Group, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
Welcome

9:15–10 a.m.
Scott Miller, deputy under secretary for collections and interdisciplinary support, Smithsonian 
Opening Address

10–10:45 a.m.
Kenneth Kimmell, president, Union of Concerned Scientists
Opening Keynote

10:45–11:15 a.m.
Break

11:15–11:45 a.m.
Ashley Robbins Wilson, The Graham Gund Architect, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Cultural Landscapes and Historic Urban Landscapes Presentation

11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Isabel C. Rivera-Collazo, assistant professor on biological, ecological, and human adaptations to climate change, University of California, San Diego
Archeological Sites Presentation

12:15–12:45 p.m.
Carl Elefante, principal emeritus, Quinn Evans Architects
Built Heritage (Buildings and Structures) Presentation

12:45–2:15 p.m.
Lunch Break

Afternoon Session 

2:15–2:45 p.m.
Victoria Herrmann, president and managing director, The Arctic Institute
Cultural Communities Presentation

2:45–3:15 p.m.
Janene Yazzie, sustainable development program coordinator, International Indian Treaty Council
Intangible Cultural Heritage Presentation

3:15–3:45 p.m.
Nicole Heller, curator of Anthropocene Studies, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Museums and Collections Presentation

3:45–4 p.m.
Break

4–4:45 p.m.
Alison Tickell, director, Julie’s Bicycle
Closing Keynote

4:45–5 p.m.
Andrew Potts, coordinator, Climate Change and Heritage Working Group, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
Closing Remarks

10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Please attend your registered session, following the instructions emailed to you.

Intangible Cultural Heritage
Sarah Sutton, principal, Sustainable Museums
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
600 Maryland Avenue SW

Archaeological Sites
Erin Seekamp, professor of parks, recreation, and tourism management, North Carolina State University
National Museum of Asian Art
Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive

Built Heritage (Buildings and Structures)
Jean Carroon, principal, Goody Clancy
National Museum of American History
14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW

Cultural Communities
Meredith Wiggins, science and technology policy fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
National Museum of the American Indian
4th Street and Independence Avenue SW

Cultural Landscapes and Historic Urban Landscapes
Jenny Newell, manager of climate change projects, Australian Museum
National Museum of Natural History
10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW

Museums and Collections
Henry McGhie, founder, Curating Tomorrow
Smithsonian American Art Museum
8th and G Streets NW

Heritage at Risk: A Dialogue on the Effects of Climate Change  

5:30 p.m.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium

Doors open at 5 p.m. for registered conference participants; general public admission begins at 5:15 p.m. Seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Julian Bickersteth, president of the International Institute of Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC), moderates an engaging conversation with six specialists in the field of cultural heritage about global challenges relating to climate change and the increasing risks to heritage sites and collections.

Panelists:

• Anthea Hartig, The Elizabeth MacMillan Director, National Museum of American History
• Nora Lockshin, senior conservator, Smithsonian Institution Archives
• Julianne Polanco, state historic preservation officer, California State Parks
• Andrew Potts, coordinator, Climate Change and Heritage Working Group, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
• Sarah Sutton, principal, Sustainable Museums
• Alison Tickell, director, Julie’s Bicycle

This program is free and open to the public.

Stemming the Tide: Global Strategies for Sustaining Cultural Heritage Through Climate Change is made possible with support from the Smithsonian's National Collections Program, and the Provost’s One Smithsonian Symposia award.