In the last issue dedicated to this topic, we saw how important it is to draw up a Salvage Priority List in order to be able to act promptly to save an art collection. 

 But how do you choose the artworks that must be saved first? 

 This is the most complicated question to resolve: it is necessary to identify among the thousands of works that make up the collection, those that most of all reflect the identity and mission of the institution that preserves them. 

 Selecting the salvage priority list for an art collection is a critical decision that requires careful consideration. In the event of a disaster, such as a fire or flood, art curators and collectors must prioritize which pieces to rescue first. The criteria for making these decisions can be complex and subjective, but they generally revolve around several key factors. Below we will analyze some of them. 

The economic criterion

The simplest and most intuitive criterion is the one that takes into consideration the economic value, or the insured sum of the works in the collection. Although it may seem like a very cynical criterion, if the sums insured have been produced by professionals starting from an accurate estimate, it is a complete criterion that takes into consideration many elements of a work. A fair insurance sum, in fact, takes into consideration very complex aspects such as the historical value of an object, its importance for the community, the role of the artist in society, and so on. For this reason, this criterion could greatly simplify the process of selecting works. 

 The historical criterion

Another selection criterion may be linked to the historicity of an artwork. Also in this case the choice would be free from a subjective choice but could be based on an objective criterion. However, the historicity of a work of art is rarely a valid criterion in itself for evaluating the value of an artefact. 

 The importance for stakeholders

An element that can be taken into consideration for the selection of works could be based on the importance they play for the community that revolves around the museum. In this case, it would be a good idea to question your stakeholders and the community that experiences the museum to ask them which works they consider most significant for their identity. 

It’s important to note that these criteria are not mutually exclusive, and in practice, the decision-making process may involve a combination of these factors. Additionally, a well-prepared disaster response plan, including clear guidelines and trained personnel, is essential to effectively implement the salvage priority list and protect the art collection in the event of an emergency.