Assessor Resource

CULCNM501A
Assess the significance of collections

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to collecting organisations that make reasoned judgements and sound decisions when undertaking significance assessments that assist in the process of managing collections.

In larger organisations, specialised curatorial staff may undertake this role. In smaller organisations, the role may be undertaken by individuals with broader management responsibilities, by committees and boards of management, or combinations of different personnel.

Work is undertaken autonomously, according to established procedures but in consultation with stakeholders.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to complete significance assessments for entire collections, or collections within a larger collection. Value, meaning and history attached to individual objects or collections as a whole are some of the criteria applied to determine significance.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

apply knowledge about undertaking a significance assessment of collections

consult effectively with relevant people about the significance of collections

complete a significance assessment for a collection.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

information sources

collections, or a subset of a collection in situ

organisational policies and procedures related to significance assessments.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of onthejob performance

application of the significance assessment process to collections

verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of significance assessment of collections

review of a statement of significance

responses to a case study.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CULCNM503A Manage the development of collections.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with relevant personnel regarding the provenance of objects in collections

initiate discussions in the workplace and in the wider community about the significance of collections

initiative and enterprise skills to identify comparative examples of collections

learning skills to seek assistance from technical specialists

literacy skills to:

take notes

read and interpret information

prepare statements of significance

planning and organising skills to:

sort information and sources

establish timelines for significance assessments

problem-solving skills to:

identify information useful in determining the significance of collections

verify information sources

research skills to:

access and interrogate sources of information to determine the significance of collections

research history and provenance information

self-management skills to:

follow workplace procedures

prioritise work tasks and meet deadlines

teamwork skills to:

respond appropriately to feedback from others on information presented in formal and informal discussions

work collaboratively with others.

Required knowledge

organisational strengths, goals, policies and strategies in relation to collection management

collection management policies

primary and comparative criteria

process to access technical specialists

sources of information relating to assessing the significance of collections

significance assessment methodology.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Purpose might include:

deaccession objects from collections

establishing provenance of collections

guiding collection strategies and policies

guiding and supporting acquisition decisions

guiding conservation policies and treatment

informing strategic planning

supporting funding applications

taking stock of collections.

History may relate to:

published histories

role of former directors, curators and scientists in developing collections

significant gifts, acquisitions, buildings and renovations.

Wider context of collectionsrelates to:

buildings in which collections are housed

environment and use

historical context in communities

items to be accessioned

period when collections were developed.

Sources of information may include:

Australian War Memorial

database of Collections Australia Network (CAN) collections

Heritage Collections Council, Commonwealth of Australia

historical societies

Museums Australia

National Archives of Australia

online collections database of National Museum of Australia

national, state and local government public records

online databases

organisational policies and procedures

Picture Australia

Powerhouse Museum.

Consultmay relate to:

community values

important items or themes for communities

people to whom collections are important

role organisations play in communities.

Relevant personnel may include:

associations or trades

donors

ethnic communities

office bearers

owners

special interest community associations

technical specialists

users

volunteers.

Similar collections may relate to:

size

subject

type.

Primary criteria may relate to:

aesthetic considerations, such as:

balance

colour

design or technical excellence

form

harmony and beauty

originality or innovation in design or execution

skill in quality of workmanship or execution

historical considerations, such as association with:

event or activity

person

place

process

theme

scientific or research significance, such as:

collection history

documented context

social or spiritual significance, such as:

association with communities

public display.

Comparative criteria may relate to:

condition, intactness or integrity, such as:

alterations

disturbed or altered components or composition

evidence of use

missing components

original or copy

repairs

still working

unrestored

unusually good condition for its type

interpretive potential of contribution to collections and museum

provenance, including:

place of origin

where and how objects were used

who owned, used or made objects

rarity, including:

distinguishing qualities

uniqueness

unusualness

representativeness, such as:

good example of its type

typical or characteristic of material, style or design.

Statements of significance may provide:

a brief, considered assessment of the values, meaning and importance of objects

a collection of knowledge and ideas about objects

a summary of the process of investigation and assessment

benchmarks for future use

communication of values for interpretive programs

images of collections being assessed and other comparative collections

record of the crucial provenance details and association of objects

summary of the meaning and importance of objects.

Records may include:

catalogues

objects

online records.

Reassess may relate to:

changes in organisational strategy

changes in collection policy

new information.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine purpose for undertaking significance assessment 
Identify organisational policies that relate to significance assessment 
Identify collections to be assessed 
In consultation with colleagues, identify factors that may impact on the assessment and take these into account when planning work 
Research the history and wider context of collections using sources of information 
Review the scope and themes of collection and compare to organisational mission, purpose and key themes 
Consult with relevant personnel to determine the social value of collection 
Analyse and describe the condition of collection 
Identify and compare collection with similar collections 
Assess significance against primary and comparative criteria 
Write statements of significance that describe the value and meaning of collection 
Seek feedback from colleagues on statement of significance 
Enter significance assessment into organisational records 
Reassess significance of collection 
Update statement of significance to reflect reassessment 
Amend organisational records 
Prepare recommendations for further action as required 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CULCNM501A - Assess the significance of collections
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Assessment Record Sheet

CULCNM501A - Assess the significance of collections

Student name:

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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