The International Programs division of Yale’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH) partners with museums and cultural institutions across Africa to safeguard collections ranging from artworks and rare books to photographs and historical artifacts. Through specialized training and the development of conservation facilities, these collaborations build institutional capacity and help ensure that Africa’s rich cultural heritage is preserved and accessible for present and future generations.
Preserving Africa’s Cultural Heritage Collections
Sculpture of Marcus Garvey recently created at Nkyinkyim Museum in Nuhalenya-Ada, Ghana.
Staff assessing cracks in a painting at Ouidah Museum – Zinsou Foundation in Ouidah, Benin.
Conservation Training
Anupam Sah, an experienced art conservator and educator, led hands-on training in preventative and restorative conservation at 8 African cultural heritage institutions, including Ouidah Museum – Zinsou Foundation in Benin, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Participants learned how to assess their collections for damage using various equipment and conducted conservation treatments on paper, stone, wood, and terracotta using specialized, cost-effective techniques. Staff were also trained to measure and adjust environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light exposure to minimize the risk of damage to artifacts and materials in the collections. Guided by Sah, workshop participants also conducted emergency treatments on paintings, books, and sculptures, restoring them for display in exhibitions.
Participants examining the deterioration of a metal object using a USB microscope at the Zoma Museum, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Organizing Collections Facilities
Participant treating a basket at Théodore Monod Museum of African Art in Dakar, Senegal.
A significant highlight of the workshops was the creation of conservation centers and dedicated workspaces, such as the Stellenbosch University Museum Conservation Lab, in South Africa, to treat museum collections onsite. Each center has been fitted with high-quality, cost-effective, locally available conservation equipment to ensure sustainability.
The workshops also focused on improving storage facilities. At Théodore Monod Museum of African Art in Dakar, Senegal, a storage area was transformed into a dedicated space to catalogue and safeguard its collection of over 10,000 objects. Plans to improve existing storage facilities were also finalized to ensure appropriate storage conditions for different types of materials and effective climate and pest control.
Community Engagement
Local artists from the Nkyinkyim Museum in Ghana and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe -Bulawayo, in Zimbabwe, also participated in the conservation workshops to promote practices that include artists in local communities. The training sessions focused on equipping artists with the skills to identify and use durable, high-quality materials in their work. Participants explored techniques for working with wood, lime, and concrete, gaining practical insights on how these materials can support both artistic creation and long-term preservation. More collaboration between artists and conservators will safeguard heritage while inspiring new forms of artistic expression.
Anupam Sah demonstrating the use of wet and dry bulb thermometers to participants at Nkyinkyim Museum in Ghana.
