ARCS Board of Directors Statement Regarding the Conflict in the Ukraine
March 23, 2022 | ARCS NewsDear ARCS Community,
We are all currently watching in horror as we witness the continued invasion of Ukraine. We extend our thoughts to the people of Ukraine, hoping that these tragic events end quickly and peacefully.
As museum professionals, we have a place in our hearts for the cultural and artistic collections safeguarded by our Ukrainian colleagues. However, we recognize that the collections we care for cannot exist without the people that created them, the people who protect them, and the people who appreciate them. During times of strife in Ukraine and everywhere around the world, we must remember that the safety and well-being of people is the most important matter.
During times like this we can often feel powerless, with a strong desire to help in some way. There are resources for assisting, such as the Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org/) and Medecins Sans Frontieres (https://www.msf.org/), among others.
ARCS is monitoring the situation so we can learn more about how we can best assist our colleagues working in the galleries, libraries, archives, museums, and cultural heritage sites in Ukraine. The Global Connections Committee has created a list of resources that our community can refer to. We have seen colleagues from other institutions share their support for the people of Ukraine, and already ICON has created a list of materials we can donate (https://www.icon.org.uk/resource/supplies-needed-to-protect-ukraine-s-cultural-heritage.html). We don’t know how long this situation will last, so we will continue finding ways to help during the invasion, and afterwards as the recovery process commences.
As a member-led organization, we welcome your input on what ARCS can do, and how we as a community can help. Together, we will find ways to support and assist our colleagues.
ARCS Board of Directors
