Flood. Fire. Tsunami. War. Attack. What curator has not feared a catastrophic event that could obliterate centures of painstaking collection development? In a post 9/11 climate, preparation for emergency has become integral to government administration and entered the national psyche.
But what is it that we should be protecting? What constitutes a national treasure or cultural heritage? And what makes it so valuable that taxpayer’s money needs to be used to keep it safe? And having made these decisions and come to the conclusion that this cultural treasure should be protected, what can be done to safeguard a country’s cultural heritage? And finally what is actually being done?
