The MCI worked with its partner the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage (IICAH) to carry out a conservation assessment for the Syriac Heritage Museum in Ainkawa, located just outside the city of Erbil in northern Iraq. The methodology was based on the Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) Program taught through a series of Zoom based meetings and on-site assessments by participants. The Director of the IICAH and Master Trainers (assistant teachers) worked with staff at the Syriac Heritage Museum for two days to look at all aspects of the physical museum and its policies and procedures to assess how to improve collections care and management of the museum. At the end of the project the museum was provided with a final report of recommendations for how to improve preservation of the collection in the short and long-term. Based on the experience IICAH staff intend to continue working with other regional museums using the conservation assessment methodology. Funding for the project was provided by the U.S. Department of State.
