We are pleased to announce that Sanchita Balachandran has been named director of the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute, effective April 8, 2024. Balachandran, a conservator of archaeological materials, was recently the director of the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum and associate teaching professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Johns Hopkins University. With more than 20 years' experience, Balachandran is a well-respected leader in the field of conservation. She also taught courses related to the technical study and analysis of ancient objects, and the history, ethics and future of museum practice. Previously, she was the associate director (2017-2022) and curator/conservator (2010-2017) at the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum. Balachandran holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College, a master's degree in art history and an advanced certificate in art conservation from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and completed her doctoral work in preservation studies from the University of Delaware.
Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
Suitland, MD 4,488 followers
About us
MCI conducts in-depth studies of artistic, anthropological, and historic objects using state-of-the-art analytical techniques to elucidate their provenance, composition, and cultural context of Smithsonian collections, and to improve our conservation and collections storage capabilities. MCI is the only Smithsonian resource for technical studies and analyses for the majority of Smithsonian collections. Technical studies require the latest instrumentation, analytical expertise, art historical knowledge, and interpretive abilities. MCI has unique capabilities in most of these areas, as is evidenced by requests for consultation not only from within SI, but from outside organizations, including the White House, U.S. House of Representatives, Defense Intelligence Agency, Secret Service, World Monuments Fund, and other federal, museum, and academic organizations.
- Website
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http://www.si.edu/mci/
External link for Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute
- Industry
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Suitland, MD
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1963
- Specialties
- research, analysis, biodeterioration, conservation, 3D laser scanning, and archaeometry
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Rd.
Suitland, MD 20746, US