Founded 1972 | ||
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Full name American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) Similar Northeast Document Conserva, American Alliance of Museums, Winterthur Museum - Garden a, American Association for State, US Committee of the Blu | ||
American institute for conservation
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) is a national membership organization of conservation professionals, headquartered in Washington D.C. It is the only organization of its kind dedicated to the preservation of cultural materials. The AIC plays a crucial role in establishing and upholding high professional standards, promoting research and publication, providing educational opportunities, and fostering the exchange of knowledge among conservators, allied professionals, and the public. The core of its membership consists of accomplished professionals who have excelled in their field. It is the largest and most reputable organization that serves conservators and their interests.
Contents
- American institute for conservation
- History
- Core values
- Mission Statement
- Vision Statement
- Membership
- Foundation
- Education
- Workshops
- Courses
- Grants and Scholarships
- Specialty Groups
- References
History
The AIC first launched in 1972 with only a handful of members. Now it is grown to over 3,500 members in over twenty countries around the world. The backgrounds of the members are diverse, meaning not only conservators can be members. In addition to conservators, among the members of AIC are well-established educators, art historians and archivists. AIC encompasses specialty groups by format and topic. They offer publications and resources that are very important to the field of cultural heritage preservation. The AIC features the FAIC, which offers education opportunities, grants and scholarships. The AIC also hosts an annual meeting where members can come together to discuss new and old conservation techniques, materials, etc.
Core values
The AIC has 6 core values they strive to maintain:
Preservation of Cultural Heritage The AIC promotes the preservation of cultural heritage as a way to better understand our shared humanity. It is a way to honor the history and integrity of humanities overall achievements.
Advocacy The AIC strives to be the voice for the preservation of cultural materials and advocate for positive public policies.
Professionalism The AIC supports the work and services of professionally qualified individuals who adhere to a proper code of ethics and guidelines.
Education and Lifelong Learning The AIC works to attain expert knowledge on materials, technologies, and conservation techniques. They are dedicated to research, sharing their knowledge with others, and providing means of continued education.
Member Services The AIC works to welcome any person or organization as members. They encourage networking among their members and provide services that help their members in the long run.
Governance AIC works towards sustained and strategic management of its organization. They understand their responsibility to their members, partners, the public and its preservation agenda.
Mission Statement
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC) is the national membership organization supporting conservation professionals in preserving cultural heritage by establishing and upholding professional standards, promoting research and publications, providing educational opportunities, and fostering the exchange of knowledge among conservators, allied professionals, and the public.
Vision Statement
AIC envisions a world in which the preservation of cultural material is appreciated and supported, thereby encouraging knowledge and understanding of our cultural heritage.
Membership
The AIC is a national membership organization supporting conservation professionals in preserving cultural heritage by establishing and upholding high professional standards, promoting research and publications, providing educational opportunities, and fostering the exchange of knowledge among conservators and allied professionals. Full membership for an individual is $144 a year. Full membership for an institution is $215 a year. Professional associates of the AIC are conservators, conservation scientists, educators, or others professionally involved in conservation who, through training, knowledge, and experience, have shown a commitment to the purposes for which AIC was established. A candidate for professional associate status must have earned an undergraduate university degree (or the international equivalent) and completed at least two years of basic training and three years of experience in his/her special field beyond the training period. They also offer secondary memberships for their specialty groups.
Foundation
The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC) was incorporated in 1972 to support the charitable, scientific, and educational activities of the AIC. FAIC primarily manages and provides funds for educational and professional development for the betterment of the conservation profession.
Education
The FAIC organizes workshops, conferences, and online courses. They also provide resources for online tutorials and other professional development resources. The FAIC offers several grants and scholarships to promote professional development, outreach to the public, publications, and conservation projects. In addition, the AIC has assembled several resources for outside funding. All courses, workshops, grants and scholarships can be signed up/applied for through the AIC's website.
Workshops
Courses
Grants and Scholarships
Specialty Groups
AIC's Specialty Groups are subgroups within AIC that focus on specific areas of expertise or interest. Specialty groups include: Architecture, Book and Paper, Conservation in Private Practice, Electronic Media, Objects, Paintings, Photographic Materials, Research and Technical Studies, Textiles, and Wooden Artifacts. Each specialty group publishes its own column in the AIC News along with separate publications. They also conduct sessions at the AIC's annual meeting.