Significance 2.0: a guide to assessing the significance of collections

Roslyn Russell, Kylie Winkworth

Text description for Part 5 — The statement of significance: Figure 5

Flow diagram showing how the statement of significance is shaped by reference to criteria and the preceding steps in the assessment process:

Collate a file
Go to step 2
1. Research history and (for items) provenance
2. Review scope and themes arising from research (for collections)
Go to step 3
Consult knowledgeable people – to whom is the item/collection significant?
Go to step 4
Explore the context of the item/collection – consider patterns, development, function, geography, environment
Go to step 5
Analyse and describe the fabric and condition of the item/collection – consider nature, materials, design, manufacture, changes
Go to step 6
Compare with other examples
Go to step 7
Identify related places and items/collection – what else is part of the picture?
Go to step 8
Assess significance against the primary and comparative criteria
Refer back to steps 1 - 7, then
Go to step 9
Write a succinct statement of significance – consider all information gathered; explain how and why the item/collection is significant and what it means; discuss with others
Go back to step 8, or
Go to step 10
Action – what to do next? – list recommendations, policies and tasks arising