American Institute for Conservation

06/17/2026

A new tool is now available to help museums explore how environmental conditions impact energy use, costs, and emissions—while supporting collections care!

The Min/Max Dashboard lets users test scenarios variable by climate zone, HVAC system, square footage and more, to support informed decision-making. Project findings show that broadened temperature and relative humidity ranges can reduce energy use and costs while maintaining appropriate conditions for many collection object types.

- Learn more about the Min/Max project: https://www.ecprs.org/capacity-building/min-max-therelationship-between-energy-carbon-and-t/rh-parameters-in-collecting-institutions

- Explore the Dashboard: https://www.ecprs.org/capacity-building/min-max-the-relationshipbetween-energy-carbon-and-t/rh-parameters-in-collecting-institutions

Min/Max is a national research project led by Environment & Culture Partners with New Buildings Institute and A2 Efficiency, funded by an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant.

06/02/2026

We're so appreciative of all that Bank of America does to support conservation!

They've been the lead sponsor of our Annual Meeting since 2023 and we're proud to have partnered with them for a community partnership project at the Musée Redpath Museum at McGill University in Montréal:

Bank of America today announced three major initiatives supporting the arts in Canada, including recent funding for restoration projects in Montreal and Toronto, as well as lead sponsorship of the American Institute for Conservation’s Annual Meeting and Conference, which took place this year in Mo...

06/02/2026

With generous funding from the Getty Foundation, IIC is pleased to announce that the next iteration of our prestigious IIC Congress Scholars Programme, 'Connect: Global Leadership for Interconnected Heritage', is open for applications. This new international leadership course will build on the success of 'Innovate' and ‘Adapt’ and will be open to mid-career conservation professionals (with at least five years' post-qualification experience) from priority regions.

This three-month online only programme will start during the IIC Ghent Congress, 8-11 September 2026, averaging a commitment of four or five hours per month, and with a variety of engaging online live events with course leaders, peer group and mentors. By the end, participants will be equipped with new networks and contacts, new insights into their own leadership style - plus a certificate of participation.

The 30 places on this programme are open to conservators and conservation professionals working in Bands 2 - 4 countries, with applications especially encouraged from individuals living and working in priority regions, including South America + Caribbean, Africa, South-East Asia, and Asia-Pacific.

Applications close 9 June 2026 (5 pm BST/UK time)

For more information and to apply, visit: https://buff.ly/4o7VeYu

06/02/2026

Applications and nominations are now open for IIC's 2026 Keck Award.

Communicating to the public everything that is involved in the art and science of conservation has always been a skill in itself. We believe that promoting public understanding, storytelling, and appreciation of conservation are becoming increasingly important ways to recognise, inspire, and contextualise the work of our profession. Projects that reach diverse and underrepresented audiences and regions are particularly welcomed, as well as initiatives that increase social impact and inspire creative engagement.

The award is a certificate of recognition and a prize of £2500, which will be presented online at the next biennial IIC Ghent Congress 2026 on 8-11 September 2026.

For more information, please visit: https://buff.ly/Za33J19

05/21/2026

Did you catch yesterday's Connecting to Collections Care Online Community webinar on assessing risk?

- Yes? Enter into our MayDay drawing to win emergency preparedness materials!
- No? Watch the recording now and then enter into the drawing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hb1Yy20FH8

Share your MayDay activities: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FKPJGVK

-Risk assessment is the foundation of successful emergency planning...

05/21/2026

Are you at the American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting? Stop by Booth 635 in the Partner Pavilion & talk conservation & preservation with our Communications Manager Carmina Lamare-Bertrand!

We'll also be hosting a Museum People Meetup with Outreach Manager Katelin Lee at 12:40 tomorrow!

05/14/2026

You still have time to participate in this critical survey effort! Learn more about the National Museum & Cultural Institution Energy Survey below:

Your museum’s building data can help shape the future of building performance tools for the museum sector. Unlike most commercial buildings, museums and similar institutions don’t have a national benchmark to understand or compare building performance. Environment & Culture Partners and New Buildings Instituteare gathering data through a nationwide survey to evaluate the development of a standardized benchmark—supporting better decision‑making around energy use, emissions, and costs. Reaching the 300‑institution minimum depends on participation across the sector.

- Submit by May 29
- Learn more and access the Survey: https://www.ecprs.org/national-museum-and-culturalinstitution-energy-survey
- Build sector momentum and count your institution in: https://forms.office.com/r/qR28XcUM1Q

05/11/2026

The deadline to apply for this workshop has been extended to *May 17*!

Find more information below:

05/08/2026

Take a break and watch Mina Porell and Rosie Grayburn on Mission Unstoppable! They talk about their road to conservation and conservation science, how science helps us understand art, and more:

Science in art conservation. Liver enzymes and bioengineering. Our perception of time. A mobile science lab.

05/07/2026

Looking for resources as you're focusing on your emergency preparedness this ? Check out this new resource from the Library of Congress: https://guides.loc.gov/collection_emergency_management

(And there's still time to register for our May Connecting to Collections Care webinar on assessing risk. See our pinned post!)

The purpose of this guide is to provide foundational knowledge on the basic concepts of emergency management for collections and collection spaces. The guide organization follows the steps of the emergency management and preparedness cycle