Sophie Misson Email & Phone Number

As Curator, I lead on the management, care, conservation, documentation, access, and interpretation of the Architectural Fabric Collection. This includes the accurate cataloguing, research and promotion of the Collection.

Key responsibilities include:• Managing all collections documentation and data entry to Spectrum 5.0 standards e.g. cataloguing, due diligence, new acquisitions, location control, disposal, object photography, audits, spot checks and quinquennial valuations.• Using a strong working knowledge and understanding of the collection to respond to public, academic and professional enquiries in an accurate, professional and timely manner.• Management of the paper and digital archives relating to the collections.• Ensuring that the Parliamentary Salvage Plans for the Architectural Fabric Collection are kept updated, in collaboration with the Estates Archivist and Heritage Collections Team. • Acting as an active member of any heritage response team. • Using professional knowledge and experience to create and update Collection policies and procedures to Spectrum 5.0 and other nationally recognised standards.• Providing specialist heritage support to other teams involved with building projects which will impact on the Architectural fabric and what items formally enter the Collection. • Collaborating with teams across both Houses to implement best practice collection care and management procedures that make working practices more efficient.• Collaborating with internal teams, Members and Members staff of both Houses to increase engagement with the collection; maximising digital engagement opportunities through social media and the website.

In my role as Documentation Assistant I primarily assisting with the implementation of the Museum's newly implemented Collections Management System (KE Emu) and the development of data for the upcoming Collections Online launch. Tasks included: • Improving object and archive catalogue records by checking their validity, consistency and completeness, while ensuring that the documentation of all collections meets SPECTRUM documentation standards. • Contributing to and proofreading Documentation Procedures and Policies in support of the Accreditation process.• Constructing import spreadsheets and tidying data supplied by each collections department ready for import. • Applying metadata to images and other digital surrogates and carrying out mass imports to upload them to KE Emu. • Carrying out extensive data tidying of Look Up Lists, Sites, Parties and Taxonomy records.• Carrying out user testing for prototype Collections Online developments and over-seeing user testing carried out my other staff members and interns. • Advising on Google Analytics metrics for Collections Online, including how data can be collected and what stats are most relevant for the museum to monitor. • Carrying out condition checks and completing the relevant documentation for artworks that have been loaned to the museum for exhibition.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

As Collections Information Officer working within the Cultural Engagement department, I had overall responsibility for cross-collection information covering archive, museum and library collections. My role included: • Predominantly focussing on the development and use of Qi, the chosen database at Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. This includes developing and making changes to the format of the database so it meets needs of all staff across the Collections department, ensuring cataloguing can be carried out to expected industry standards (e.g. SPECTRUM, ISAD(G) and ACCR). • Ensuring that the public facing front-end of the database ‘Discover Shakespeare’ (https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk) is well-maintained, functional, and displaying correct information on all collections. • Providing database training to staff as and when needed, as well as working to develop cataloguing manuals to help maintain a unified approach to information management procedures across the collections.• Managing the current programme of digitisation and developing a long term plan for future digitisation projects. This includes managing the Digitisation Officer who carries out departmental photography.• Carrying out collections based research to improve collections information.• Acting as social media lead for the Collections department by planning and scheduling posts across various platforms, and moderating blog posts.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

As a designated member of staff on the ACE funded 'Birmingham Manufactures' project, my role consisted of:• Documenting, surveying and researching Birmingham Museums Trust collections relating to the history of Birmingham manufacturing and industry.• Improving standard of documentation on museum database KE EMu.• Ensuring objects are marked and carrying out object marking according to conservation standards as well as improving storage where necessary.• Photographing catalogued collections to professional standards and uploading images to database.• Assisting Documentation Registrar with the development and updating of KE EMu database.• Implementing and creating new terminology thesaurus for recording object materials across the collections.• Performing data tidying tasks to ensure database quality is to highest documentation standards.• Managing volunteers contributing to the project.• Surveying archival documentation, improving history files and offering advice on how to improve quality of archival storage.• Contributing updates on the projects via social media using Twitter, Facebook and regular blog posts.

Warwick, Warwickshire, United Kingdom

Assisting with the management of the day to day running of the gallery. Tasks included: • Supervision of the gallery staff and volunteers including heading morning briefings, and managing and organising the daily rota and tours.• Being responsible for opening and closing the gallery, including exhibitions as specified. • Assisting the Commercial Supervisor with the supervision of the Admission and Retail Assistants• Assisting in the shop and Welcome Centre when necessary.• Administering emergency support in the form of First Aid. • Providing a friendly environment for visitors that offers an experience they will want to repeat.• Exceeding all visitor expectations with the quality of presentation, service and information.My key accountabilities are within the supervision of staff, visitor services, housekeeping, ticket and retail sales, group administration, security, administration and financial managements, and internal events. In addition to the points mentioned above it is my responsibility to:• Ensure that all spaces within the gallery are presentable at all time, and that all equipment in the gallery and public spaces is functioning properly. • Assisting the Front of House Manager with group booking and administration, and helping Gallery Interpreters to facilitate group visits. • Supervising staff during internal out of hours activities such as private views and fundraising events. • Overseeing cashing up and balancing takings at the end of the day in accordance with current security and administrative procedures, as well as managing the change for till floats in the morning. • Being vigilant concerning behaviour that might endanger the collections, personal safety or private property and refer incidents or concerns to other members of staff as necessary.

Greys Court, Henley On Thames

Facilitating the inventory of collections at Greys Court and updating their information in the CMS (Collections Management System) database. Tasks involved:• Handling, identifying and examining objects from the collections, and recording any changes to condition, previously unnoticed details and additional information into CMS.• Carrying out research as to provenance, age, usage, and makers of objects to give a more sound overview of the collection.• Liaising with voluntary research teams and photographers to ensure full documentation of each object. • Accessioning and cataloguing items in accordance to SPECTRUM standards.• Consolidating loans information through study of Memorandum of Gift paperwork and loan data spreadsheets compared against object records within CMS. • Updating publicly accessed records on the National Trust Collections website. • Communicating with the public about research and conservation tasks being carried out within the National Trust.

Alnwick

Supporting the smooth running of the Collections and Archives department at Northumberland Estates, Alnwick Castle including:• Liaising with local conservators and carrying out conservation treatments on paintings and chandeliers, as well as conservation cleaning of museum displays, frames, silverware and the State Coach.• Reorganising collection stores as well as the safes and archival storage, cataloguing any damage to the collections and ensuring they are fitted with the correcting housing and storage. • Ensuring that environmental conditions are maintained, through knowledge of temperature, humidity and pest management. • Repackaging, handling and cataloguing files, paintings and objects from the collections and archives in accordance to their conservation guidelines. • Accessioning and inputting data on archival documents and collections into the Collections Management Database to ensure up to date information is available to the department.• Assisting with reinstallation of certain objects and paintings into the collections on public display, and ensuring they are correctly stored and labelled when they are returned to store. • Acting as Filming Conservator on filming projects (such as Downton Abbey) within the State Rooms.

Master Of Arts - Ma, Art History, Criticism And Conservation, Merit

Master Of Arts (Ma), Conservation Of Fine Art, Masters With Commendation

Graduated with Commendation in Conservation of Fine Art, focussing on Oil Paintings on Canvas. Completed modules on Preventive.

Bachelor Of Arts With Honours (Ba Hons), Fine Art, 2.1

Activities and Societies: Press Officer for Final Exhibition that took place both within Oxford Brookes University, and as part.

Master Of Arts - Ma, Conservation Of Fine Art