Painting of a dragon dance scene in a festival of the Nguyễn dynast
Resources
Strengthening Preparedness Through Knowledge
Cultural institutions face increasing pressures, and not all organisations have access to specialised support. STEMA Risk Management provides free tools and guidance to help strengthen stewardship, protection, and resilience across the sector. These resources are designed to support daily work and complement existing systems.
This page offers practical tools, guides, and external links that help organisations improve security, emergency preparedness, and cultural heritage protection. Everything is free to use. The collection will expand over time with new and updated material.
Library
International Council
Of Museums
The International Council of Museums offers professional standards, tools, and resources that support museum management, security, and ethical practice.
INTERPOL
Global database and guidance on identifying, reporting, and preventing illicit trafficking of cultural property.
Federal Bureau of Investigations
Investigates art and cultural property crime, which includes theft, fraud, looting, and trafficking across state and international lines.
UNESCO
Provides global standards, guidance, and programmes for safeguarding cultural heritage and promoting cultural development.
Cultural Safeguard Alliance
A network focused on protecting cultural heritage during conflict and crisis, providing guidance, coordination, and advocacy for risk reduction and emergency response.
Blue Shield International
A network focused on protecting cultural heritage during conflict and crisis, providing guidance, coordination, and advocacy for risk reduction and emergency response.
ICCROM Risk Management Guide
This guide from ICCROM offers practical methods for identifying, analyzing, and reducing risks to collections and heritage assets. It is a clear and accessible framework that helps institutions strengthen daily decision-making and long-term preservation planning.
International Committee for Museum Security
This handbook from ICMS provides practical guidance for improving disaster resilience in museums, focusing on planning, preparedness, and effective response. It offers clear steps, tools, and examples that help institutions protect people, buildings, and collections during emergencies.
The Collections Trust
This toolkit from the Collections Trust provides practical guidance for strengthening museum security through improved procedures, simple risk checks, and clear operational standards. It helps institutions assess vulnerabilities, develop safer routines, and embed security awareness across their teams.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is the leading global authority on fire safety standards, offering technical guidance that shapes how historic structures and cultural sites manage fire risks. NFPA 914, the Code for Fire Protection of Historic Structures, provides specialised recommendations for safeguarding heritage buildings while respecting their architectural and historical value.
Integrated Risk Management in Museums Case Study
A risk management and security management manual specific to museums that covers intentional risks like theft, robbery, and vandalism.
Preventing Theft from Museums
In this report, the European Crime Prevention Network explains how museums must balance public access with the protection of irreplaceable collections, and why effective prevention combines strong security with measures that reduce the incentive for theft.
Field Notes
Crowd Management: Creating a Safe and Pleasant Visitor Experience
Museums, galleries, and cultural venues handle a wide range of visitor patterns. Some days bring ste…
Integrating Security Without Limiting the Experience
Art exists to be explored, discussed, and shared. Museums encourage learning and engagement because …
Museum Storage. The Most Important Room Visitors Never See
What Storage Really RepresentsMost visitors assume that the main galleries hold the museum’s collect…
Why Museums Need Threat Assessments, Not Only Risk Assessments
Museums often rely on risk assessments alone, but this leaves critical gaps. Threat assessments add …
Two Different Roles, Part 3: Proactive Vs. Reactive Protection Measures
Proactive and Reactive Measures. Why Heritage Protection Needs a Shift in Focus Investigations and r…
Two Different Roles, Part Two: Protection and Preservation
Protection and preservation address different risks, yet they are often treated as one. Understandin…
