Conservation promotes the long-term preservation of cultural heritage through examination, documentation, treatment, and preventive care. Conservators are preservation specialists with knowledge and skills in the physical care of cultural heritage materials. Conservators often have advanced degrees and have studied sciences, studio art, art history, history, archaeology, and/ or related fields. Conservators may specialize in a particular type of material, such as paper, textiles, or paintings. The Parsons Conservation Laboratory is responsible for the treatment and analysis of the Carlos Museum’s collection. For more information visit carlos.emory.edu/conservation.
The American Institute for Conservation is the national membership organization for cultural heritage preservation professionals. The AIC establishes standards of ethical practice, promotes research and education in the field, and advocates for public policy in support of cultural heritage preservation. The AIC offers resources for emergency response and collections care, as well as an online tool to help individuals and institutions find conservators by geographic area and material specialty. www.culturalheritage.org
