Emilia-Romagna launches 'Deposits and Heritage Network', Italy’s first network for museum storage ma

A regional network to promote museum storerooms

Emilia-Romagna has launched "Deposits and Heritage Network", the first Italian initiative to coordinate museum storage management and promote preventive conservation. The network brings together twelve regional museums to share procedures, training and tools for the long-term care of collections not on display.

Goals and main activities

Built on the Re-Org training approach, the network aims to standardize deposit management through shared practices. Key actions include:

• continuous professional training and mentoring;
• implementation of preventive conservation measures;
• development of common standards for storeroom management;
• enhancing and making stored heritage more accessible to the public.

Recent activities have included workshops, risk assessments, emergency planning and drafting a network regulation now being trialed in pilot museums.

"Depositi Aperti": special access to storerooms

The network’s first public action is "Depositi Aperti", a programme of special openings from March to May. These events offer visitors the chance to enter spaces usually closed to the public and to learn about conservation work, re-installations and restoration case studies.

Summary schedule of openings

• 7 March – Museum of Rural Civilization, Villa Smeraldi (Bentivoglio): textile heritage and dowry traditions.
• 27 March – Casa Cervi Museum (Gattatico): opening for the commemoration of Alcide Cervi.
• 29 March and 9 May – Modena Civic Museum: sessions focused on re-installation and conservation work.
• 16 May – Multiple events at the Civic Museum of the Cappuccines (Bagnacavallo), Civic Art Gallery "Il Guercino" (Cento), Archaeological Civic Museum of Bologna and the Archaeological Museum of Cesena (European Night of Museums).
• 23 May – Cathedral and Diocesan Museum (Fidenza).
• 24 May – Synagogue and Jewish Museum "Fausto Levi" (Soragna).
• 31 May – Civic Museums (Reggio Emilia): a hands-on visit-laboratory focused on ethnographic objects in storage.

Practical note: all events require advance booking. Check participating museums' communication channels for registration details and availability.

Partners and sustainability

The network receives regional support and collaborates with national and international bodies active in conservation, alongside relevant heritage authorities. Joint training and shared procedures have already produced practical tools for routine management and emergency response.

By putting storerooms at the centre of cultural planning, the initiative increases transparency around conservation work and helps make stored heritage more visible and valuable for local communities.