The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) supports the conservation professionals who preserve our cultural heritage

Cultural heritage

Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations...

. As a national professional organization it establishes and upholds professional standards; promotes research and publications; provides educational opportunities; and fosters the exchange of knowledge among conservators, allied professionals, and the public.

Overview

Tracing its roots back to 1972 with only a few members, AIC now has over 3,500 members in over forty-five countries. Today, members include conservation professionals who are conservators, educators, students, conservation scientists, art historians, librarians, archivists, and other conservation enthusiasts. AIC encompasses specialty groups by format and topic, including: architecture, book and paper, private practice, electronic media, objects, paintings, photographic materials, research and technical studies, textiles, and wooden artifacts. AIC has annual meetings where members share research and knowledge. AIC also serves as an educational resource offering seminars and workshops around the country.

JAIC

AIC publishes the Journal of the American Institute for Conservation(JAIC), one of the premier peer-reviewed conservation journals in the world. JAIC and many other publications and reports are available in electronic or print format to aid both professional conservators and the public.All information taken from the American Institute for Conservation web page, accessed on June 10, 2007.

FAIC

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.

AIC's Specialty Groups

AIC's Specialty Groups are subgroups within AIC that focus on particular areas of expertise or professional interest. AIC members have the option of joining any of these groups. All specialty groups publish bi-monthly columns in the AIC News, conduct sessions at the Annual Meeting, and send representatives to Internal Advisory Group meetings.

External links

• The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).
• The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC).
• AIC Core Documents, including the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice and Defining the Conservator: Essential Competencies.