The 2026 PACCIN Conference took place in Stockholm this past May, bringing together technical experts from across the collections care community to exchange information on current practices and to discuss how the profession can continue to evolve.
PACCIN, the Preparation, Art Handling, and Collections Care Information Network, is dedicated to sharing practical knowledge and essential resources that help hands-on professionals safeguard cultural property.
The presentations explored the issues influencing the field today, including sustainability, innovation in materials, evolving standards, and new ways of working. The central theme was the ongoing need to recognize art handling as a specialized profession that requires better access to formal training and certification.
Christopher Barber, Process Improvement Specialist at Crozier, has served on the PACCIN board for the past decade. He praised two compelling presentations that focused on developing art handling education and certification initiatives. One speaker noted that preventive conservation is often covered only briefly in museum studies programs, revealing an opportunity for more structured education and professional development.
Interest in formalizing this education has been building for years, having first emerged as a direction of interest during the 2015 PACCIN Summit and resurfacing following the 2025 AIC-PACCIN “Crating 101” webinar. While developing such a program will require significant time and collaboration, the momentum is clear across the community.
By fostering critical dialogue and sharing expertise across institutions, PACCIN continues to help elevate the standards that guide the handling, housing, and long-term care of art. See how Crozier puts these standards into practice through our art handling and custom crating services.