Representing the output of the research project "Performance: Conservation, Materiality, Knowledge," this volume brings together diverse voices, methods and formats in the discussion and practice of performance conservation.

Conservators, artists, curators and scholars explore the ontology of performance art through its creation and institutionalization into an astonishing range of methods and approaches for keeping performance alive and well, whether inside museum collections or through folk traditions. Anchored in the disciplines of contemporary art conservation, art history and performance studies, the contributions range far beyond these to include perspectives from anthropology, musicology, dance, law, heritage studies and other fields. While its focus is on performance as understood in the context of contemporary art, the book’s notion of performance is much wider, including other media such as music, theater and dance as well as an open-ended concept of performance as a vital force across culture(s).

While providing cutting-edge research on an emerging and important topic, this volume remains accessible to all interested readers, allowing it to serve as a singularly valuable resource for museum professionals, scholars, students and practitioners.