Cultural Heritage Conservation for Early Learners

Cultural Heritage Conservation for Early Learners explores how to introduce young audiences to art conservation. Conservators and educators from around the world share their approach to creating engaging, hands-on programs for children aged three to eight and their caregivers.

Ellen Chase is Objects Conservator at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Asian Art, where she has worked toward the long-term preservation of the collection since 1999. Her research interests focus on a range of materials including ceramics and lacquer, as well as investigating ways to bring an appreciation of cultural heritage conservation to diverse audiences. Ellen is active in a range of community outreach and engagement activities both through the museum and as a part of the American Institute for Conservation's Education Outreach (K-12) Subcommittee.
Laura Hoffman specializes in online and visitor engagement. As Director of Digital Engagement at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, she oversees institutional digital initiatives and leads a team responsible for expanding the museum's online presence. In her previous role as Program Manager, she developed public programs, interpretation, and digital engagement for the Lunder Conservation Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Laura has also held digital and education positions at The Phillips Collection and deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. She has served on various professional committees for the Museum Computer Group and the American Institute for Conservation.
Matthew Lasnoski serves as a Digital Services Analyst in the Taxpayer Experience Office of the Internal Revenue Service. From 2014 to 2022, he held multiple positions at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA), including Manager, Youth & Family Programs and Audience Engagement Strategist. During this time, he co-led the museum's Audience Research Team (ART), focusing on audience research and evaluation. Before joining NMAA, Matthew earned his MPhil in History of Art and Architecture at the University of Cambridge, King's College. His research focused on the impact of manufacturing processes on the development of new decorative techniques in Ayyubid metalwork in the early thirteenth century. Matthew also served as an educator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, with a focus on distance learning through videoconferencing and webinars.