Collections Management Certification Program

Not to miss! This course opened a new door for me to yet undiscovered secrets of the museum experience. Pure interconnection of learning and joy!

The Collections Management Certification Program 2013- 2014, which I had the privilege to be a part of, was a precious experience. During this course I had the chance to learn and grow, not only professionally, but also on a private level.

Attending the CMCP proved to be just what a young and unexperienced museum professional like me needed In order to gain the real insight into what my job should look like. What is more, CMCP made it much more clear to me how I should approach and deal with various situations and problems at work professionally and with integrity.

Fionn Zarubica led us through the course sharing her knowledge and expertise in such a way that, while giving us concrete information on certain topics, and simple, but precise assignments, she also managed to make us learn from each other and from ourselves. She helped us question our own methods of work and learn to become more precise, effective, and responsible in whatever we do.

I had the pleasure to be a part of the 2013/14 Collections Management Certification Program [CMCP] class held in the Central Institution for Conservation [CIK] in Belgrade by Fionn Zarubica. CMCP is a course through which people who work in institutions of culture, as well as artists and others, can learn some new perspectives and points of view about their profession and the people involved. Fionn's tremendous enthusiasm and knowledge in her field of work, as well as her fantastic ability to successfully communicate with us, made this course fun and exciting even in its most dry topics.

Participating in the Collections Management Certification Program 2014 – 2015, was a unique experience and gave me an opportunity to better perceive the museum profession. Through this program, I learned how through our own work we can influence the museum profession in positive manner and contribute to its further progress.

This program and Fionn Zarubica, as its founder, gave all participants insight into a completely different museum world than the one that exists in the Balkans. The knowledge acquired during the program is invaluable, not only for those just entering the world of museum professionals, but also for those who have long been part of it. It gives tools to change museums and cultural institutions for the better. Fionn Zarubica inspires her students about their work and encourages their passion.

For those who seek professional development this program is a must.

During the Collections Management Certification Program, I learned a lot of things very useful for my everyday work. We learned about the latest innovations in the museum work, concerning collections management, preventive conservation, equipment and materials used, and exhibition standards. Also, I made friends for life and met a lot of people I still cooperate with. The Collections Management Certification Program was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

The Collections Management Certification Program was such an exceptional compound of theoretical and practical knowledge, which was not limited to museums and galleries only, but also included the domain of culture in general. This program offered me a whole new perspective on the museum profession: I have been learning from an expert, became familiar with contemporary methodology and acquired current information about the museum and culture sphere worldwide. Learning about universal museum standards of protection, preservation, conservation, the promotion of art and their implementation into our environment was some of the most important knowledge I gained. The CMCP is a unique opportunity for people engaged in museums and especially for young students of various orientations connected to the art and culture.

Fionn Zarubica's Collections Management Certification Program was a life changing and enlightening experience for me, professionally as well as privately. It was a great pleasure and privilege to be part of such an amazing course, to learn from someone who has great and wonderful experience, knowledge and love for art, museums and teaching in general.

The meaning of this course struck me a bit later. While learning about the technicalities of how to be a collections manager, I was acquiring some skills and getting familiar with concepts packed subversively into the format of formal lectures. But not in the same formal way how it is conducted in Serbia.

And how this program affected my life? Well, the effects are still showing up, and it is the whole beauty of those three months of the program.

When the puzzles started fitting in place, I started seeing Fionn Zarubica more like a life coach than a teacher. She gave me a brilliant insight on how to deal with situations, both professional and private.

From November 2014 to May 2015, I was participating in the Collections Management Certification Program, led by Mrs. Fionn Zarubica. It was joyful experience for me. During this period of time I learned and questioned things about protecting and preserving national heritage and works of art.

The classes were dynamic, with lots of facts, presented in an interesting way, and also with some practical work. The special treats were our visits to museums, galleries and the Royal Palace. This was great opportunity to connect to museum professionals and to learn more about the every day functioning of these institutions.

Mrs. Zarubica is a wonderful lady who manages to make the learning process so easy and fun. In this program I also made some great friends. I do recommend this program to all museum, and gallery professionals and art lovers.

Thank you Fionn for this amazing experience.

I am a curator who attended The Collections Management Certification Program, in Belgrade Serbia, 2015. which has been organized by The Fionn Zarubica Foundation For Art And Culture and supported by the US Embassy in Belgrade. I am writing a short testimonial for this course to encourage the interested people from the museum and heritage protection institutions and students who aspire to enter this profession, to attend it.

The Collections Management Certification Program was realized through the period of eleven weeks, partialized into three sessions, through the course of a year. Each session was dealing with the complexity of a wide variety of collections problematics. The initial phase was primarily focused on the essential issues of the problem of care of collections, within institutions. Afterwards, during the Session II, we had interesting practical exercises in working with objects and theoretical public aspects of collections through exhibitions and loans, in the last segment, in Session III, we received a significant insight into the system of protecting and preserving museological treasures. The thematic approach was fundamentally based on preventive conservation, art registration methods, secure art handling, packing, storing, transportation, and creative exhibition planning, mount making, installation and de-installation. The participants of the course were from different professional backgrounds, so it was a really precious experience to collaborate with them and exchange ideas. What inspired me the most was the fact that I received constant relevant feedback, on a daily basis, about my developing in various domains, from my professor Fionn Zarubica. At the end, all participants received a professional certification, which is a valuable, and a deeply motivating acknowledgement of qualifications for implementing valid solutions in diverse spheres, in international institutions.

My first and final impressions of Ms. Zarubica's course were the same as what I had hoped for.  In three words: encouraging, enthusiastic and enlightening.  Her in-depth knowledge of the subject material, careful and systematic approach and most importantly her utmost commitment to each and every participant on the course pushed this course to the top of the best and most useful courses I have ever attended. The obtained knowledge and experiences are milestones for my future commitment to the subject material from the course for which Ms. Zarubica should be praised.  There are only a few courses that can be recommended to all interested and Ms. Zarubica's course is certainly on top of all of them.

The program improved my knowledge of how museums work, and introduced me to a new and advanced system of work dynamics inside a museum and the role of a collections manager.

Fionn is an exceptional teacher and expert, and she excellently conveyed her practical knowledge and experience to students.

I look forward to each following group that successfully completes this course!

Collection Management Program was one of the best professional experiences I have ever had. Not only that I had the opportunity to learn practically through hands-on trainings, but I also met a lot of interesting co-workers with whom I was able to interchange skills, experiences and knowledge. We also learned a lot through lectures about the contemporary international standards of museum work. Lectures were presented in a creative manner and often would end up with a lively but respectable discussion. Collection Management is an important museum profession but unfortunately does not exist in Serbia (yet). That is why this program was so valuable to me, since I think that I could not learn all this here in Serbia if it wasn`t for this program and the instructor – Fionn Zarubica.

Three months of gaining the advanced knowledge, both theoretical and practical, offered me many new perspectives on museum and collections organization practices, their policies and programs. They were followed by many visual examples, written or discussed, and assignments, and articles referring to class topics. The program also offered visits to all places of interest where, while in the physical spaces of the museums, private collections, galleries and archives, we could debate about our current concerns; where we could focus on a variety of aspects from risk management to object care, exhibition and installation. Further, we had the opportunity to compare good and bad museum practices worldwide.

The Collections Management Certification Program 2015-2016 was, as the title itself states, a life changing experience for me. Not only that I have gained valuable professional skills and knowledge, but, I have grown personally and made life-long friendships. Fionn is a great teacher. She delivers knowledge with high and proficient skills. She makes sure that each and every person understands the knowledge, and also allows each and every person to express his or her attitude and opinion about the matter. From the professional, field-related point of view, I can only give her highest marks for her unselfish transmission of knowledge and experience to us. Apart from professional side of the class content, Fionn has make sure to help us grow personally. She made us feel confident and good about ourselves and she also made us believe that we could be the driving force of change in our community. And she managed that by widening our views on life and existence itself. It is hard to explain by words but every time on her class she made me feel like everything is possible. And last but not the least important is the group of amazing ladies with whom I have attended the program. Beautiful, talented, unique princesses! We have made ties that bind for life, which Fionn helped us strengthen. She made a safe space of our classroom where each on of the princesses could glow in her full beauty. And that is what opened us to each other and that is what will keep us connected forever. At the very end of this review, I have only words of gratitude to Fionn and ladies for this amazing experience and I have to say… this is only a beginning.

The Collections Management Certification Program 2015-2016 is unique and great program which gave me tools to work on building a healthier environment for myself and therefore for museums. This program has had a huge impact on me. I noticed how I changed perspective of on museum practice. Although I learned a lot about taking care of a museum collection, also I learned about the importance of cooperation with my colleagues to ensure the safety of both the objects the staff members involved. During this course I experienced new approaches of managing museum collections than I have had chance to see in my country, and I find it very useful and applicable in our institutions. Fionn Zarubica, through her assignments, teaches us how to be professionals in the museum field; beside that she gave us tools for personal and professional growth.

Although I heard about this program before from trustworthy professionals, and expected the best from it, my personal firsthand experience exceeded any of my assumptions and expectations in the most positive way. Professor Zarubica transfers her extensive knowledge and rich experience in a clear, interesting and challenging way. She guides her students towards a high level of qualification and expertise, pushes their boundaries, both on a professional and personal level. This program creates good specialists in collections management, and provides them with tools that can be used in all aspects of life. It shifts perspectives from accepting things as they are towards making a difference. The discussions that left the biggest impressions on me were those about ethics and integrity. Those qualities are set as a precondition of professional work. Everything else, the skill, the knowledge and the technique are build upon them. That is a strong foundation for any career. Classes take place in the pleasant and friendly American Corner, which has many attractive and educational programs and contents. All in all, I am very satisfied, proud and grateful to have been a part of it, and I highly recommend it. 

The Collections Management Certification Program is a dynamic and entertaining seminar, developed by Fionn Zarubica. She has different approach than any teacher I have worked with before. As a group she introduced us into collections management. Also, which I am really grateful for, she dedicated her time to work with us as individuals, and help each person with things they are interesting in, or push us to learn more in the field where we have a lack of knowledge. I really enjoyed this program. I had the opportunity to learn a lot of new things closely connected to my profession. Through the lessons and stories from personal experience, our teacher gave us an insight into the work and the good practice of foreign museums. Then, during our visits to Belgrade museums we were able to see where we are compared to them. Now we not only know how to take care of museum objects, but also, equally important is that we learned how to take care of ourselves, how to work on ourselves to become better people and how to be collection managers. 

I was a student of the fourth cycle of the Collections Management Certification Program (CMCP) held in the American corner in Dom Omladine in Belgrade. This program made a great impact on me in terms of received knowledge. First hand information from the top world museums as well as the latest updates on related trends left the greatest impression on me. This made me feel a part of worldwide happenings and gave a hint in which direction I should look. I found CMCP beneficial for all museum professionals in our area and would like to recommend it without reservation.

My experience with Fionn Zarubica Learn was a beneficial opportunity to obtain all the necessary and practical knowledge about the work and functioning of a museum. In the friendly atmosphere of the American Corner we studied, discussed and learned about Collections Management. This opportunity has opened my horizons and knowledge that will be useful to me in my career. The Collections Management Certification Program with the wonderful teacher Fionn Zarubica has expanded my views on matters of handling museum objects, organization exhibitions, the running of museums, galleries and also a generally healthy and positive attitude in life that can be implemented in any field or profession. I have changed my perception on how to properly and responsibly manage a museum collection. The greatest part for me was participating in the program with inspiring colleagues from whom I learned so much.

All my professional life I was looking for such an experience. The Collections Management Certification Program is not just a course, and Fionn Zarubica is not just an instructor. It is much more than that. I learned so much about myself through learning about museums and Fionn's charisma made me never forget that. In the pleasant and friendly environment of the American Corner at Dom Omladina, we discovered what needs to be changed in the professional world to make it better. I realized that we need to work together and that cooperation and communication are the key to success. Every day was an inspiration, every word of our mentor a lesson and a message. I believe that everyone who attends this course in this environment wil change their perspective and a way of looking the situation in museums in Serbia and in the world. What is the most important is that I discovered a way to be the best version of myself not only professionally but privately. Thank you Fionn.

Through the Collections Management Certification Program I learned valuable information specific to the museum practice that was unavailable to me in other courses I have taken, and generally in my country. The lectures were a perfect balance of theory and practical methods, and prepared us to become qualified professionals as well as knowledgeable and skilled museum employees. In her inspirational lessons professor Zarubica motivated me to use all my senses while observing, exploring, and discovering both the world of museums and the world inside me. I truly enjoyed all the activities of the program and the pleasant environment of the American Corner. Overall, I am really proud and grateful to have been a part of this course and our wonderful, friendly community.

The Collections Management Certification Program not only provided me insight into international standards and practices in the museum field and its dynamics, but also gave us applicable knowledge and guidelines that could enhance the quality of all our future work with art, and primarily caring for collections. The course’s syllabus, together with the invaluable experience Ms. Zarubica heartily shared with us and tours we made through Belgrade’s exhibiting spaces and institutions helped in shaping, or more precisely improving, our professional ethics. The energy and comprehensive care invested in our class, irretrievably influenced a change in our perspectives, which, we hope, will have the further impact on local cultural life.

The Collections Management Certification Program had a great influence on my professional and personal life. In many aspects that influence is more important than anything I learned during my formal education. I learned how I should behave and take care about collections in a museum. Also, I realized how important is the relationship with colleagues and teamwork. It changed my way of thinking and doing things, and now I know how to solve problems more easily and efficiently. A very important change I experienced was in my personal life. Because of this program I become a better, more responsible, more mature and happier person. I learned how to look at life more positively and see opportunities, not obstacles. I am more creative and confident, and know I can make changes and do my future job properly. Every part of this program changed the quality of my life. This influence would not be so impactful if there was not the specific personality of Fionn Zarubica, who made things interesting and memorable. She supported and challenged us to make changes and feel confident and strong; every day was a special and step forward to being a better person, better colleague and better professional.

The Collections Management Certification Program 2015-2016 was truly great experience, that taught me a lot, both on a professional and personal level. The added bonus is that the class was held in American Corner, a very welcoming and user-friendly place, where it was easy to learn, but also have fun and make true friends with other classmates. What stands out the most for me is Fionn Zarubica's approach to teaching, her dedication and connection to us students and incredibly rich course content. I think this course is essential for anyone working or thinking of working in museum or cultural institution, because of the breadth and quality of information Fionn Zarubica shares, as well as her ability to inspire everyone to be a better student, better professional, and ultimately a better person. This program influenced me in more ways than one, but above all, it challenged my perception that a lot is needed for any kind of change in Serbian museums. I now realize that with knowledge gained in this course and armed with positive change in attitude, we can start building healthier, happier centers of culture in our country, one step at the time.