V&A launches digital database for cultural heritage preservation projects
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is demonstrating its commitment to protecting the world's cultural heritage and supporting communities that suffer cultural loss, through the launch of a new Culture in Crisis Portal.
A free digital resource, the portal allows users to register their preservation projects and search for those already in existence. The V&A said that it hopes the portal will become the world's largest and most accessible database of cultural heritage preservation projects.
Launched in 2014, the Culture in Crisis programme works to combat the damage caused to cultural heritage through conflict, criminal acts or natural disasters. It seeks to provide a forum for those working on the preservation of cultural heritage to share information, raise awareness and inspire and support action, and the V&A said the new portal was a step toward achieving this.
The museum added that the portal will allow those working on cultural heritage preservation projects to connect with potential sponsors, collaborators and experts. Optimised search capabilities include filters for project type, location and other criteria.
Among the initiatives currently underway through the Culture in Crisis programme, is the creation of a V&A Culture in Crisis Charity. It's hoped that the charity raise public awareness and allow the public to directly support preservation and conservation efforts. Additionally, a collaboration with the British Museum will allow the creation of a European Museum Security Group, which will consider strategic security issues and look at innovative and safe ways for museums to assist in the protection of cultural heritage while ensuring the safety and security of visitors, staff and collections.
"We understand the impact of cultural heritage loss on communities and the contrasting positive role its preservation can have in rebuilding and recovering these areas following conflict and disasters," said the V&A in a statement.
"As such, we aim to encourage a cross-disciplinary approach, raising public awareness and working with organisations from a variety of backgrounds to take a holistic approach to the protection of heritage in all its forms."
Victoria & Albert Museum V&A Culture in Crisis

Juneteenth Museum by Bjarke Ingels Group has been designed to inspire spiritual uplift

BIG and HOK's timber concept wins Zurich Airport competition

Christoph Ingenhoven reveals Lanserhof Sylt, featuring the largest thatched roof in Europe

BIG's designs Prague concert hall to be vibrant centre of life

Mather & Co-designed Gretna Green Experience opens to the public

Project to save last major bellfoundry which cast bells for St Paul's and Washington National Cathedral

Perkins & Will reveals designs for net-zero sports and cultural centre in Toronto

World’s first living waterslides announced for Therme Manchester

Heatherwick reveals Volcano-inspired opera house designs for Hainan

Natural history museum planned for Abu Dhabi

Controversial London music venue, MSG Sphere, gets full planning permission

Clifford's Tower opens to the public after £5m redevelopment

Clifford's Tower opens to the public after £5m redevelopment

Glasgow's iconic Burrell Collection reopens after five-year, £68.5m revamp

SB Architects delivers Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica with tree-house spa and private residences

Ole Scheeren designs vertical jungle resort complex in China

Designer Brian d’Souza launches Swell to create evocative soundscapes for physical environments

Basalt Architects create geothermal Forest Lagoon in the wilds of Iceland

Hot Pickle design £73m Guinness visitor attraction for Diageo in London

Amsterdam's new digital art centre Fabrique des Lumières will use tech to bring art alive

Pharrell Williams to launch tropical Bahamian beach resort

Banyan Tree curating solar-powered wellness retreat on private Mozambican island

Dubai Expo hits 10 million visits

Foster + Partners designs Dorchester Collection's first hotel in Middle East

Neil Jacobs reveals Six Senses Places concept for major cities

Orient Express returns to Italy after 46 years with six trains designed by Dimorestudio and new Rome hotel

400-year-old mineral spring will power Preidlhof’s €2m medicinal bath experience

Universal Beijing Resort reveals expansion plans for second phase

Pop-up stadium built with shipping containers opens ahead of 2022 World Cup
