All individuals working in the conservation profession or interested in learning more about conservation are invited to become members of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

Annual Meeting

AIC members receive discounts at the annual meeting. Formal presentations, demonstrations, and informal conversations on a variety of conservation topics invite discussion of philosophical issues, new techniques and materials, and recent discoveries that grow out of conservation research. Suppliers exhibit conservation related products. Meeting in a different city each year, participants also have the opportunity to explore the area's conservation facilities and cultural holdings. The 2008 annual meeting will be held April 21-24 in Denver, Colorado.

Professional Development

Offering many workshops, lectures, tours, and distance learning programs over the year, AIC provides members with convenient and cost effective ways to keep up-to-date in their profession.

Grants and Scholarships

AIC gives grants out every year for professional development for mid-career conservators, conference attendance for students, special publications, and a variety of other special projects undertaken by members that need funding.

Publications

AIC publishes and distributes a varied selection of books, and pamphlets, on conservation subjects. The following listed below are included with your membership.

Journal of the American Institute for Conservation

This scholarly journal, published three times a year, features articles, book reviews, and short notes on current conservation issues, treatments, research, scientific studies, and technical procedures in the United States and abroad.

AIC News

Published six times a year, the AIC News provides up-to-date news on national and international conservation issues and AIC organizational matters. Position openings, conferences, courses, new products, and new techniques are regular features.

Membership Directory

In addition to listing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers for more than 3,300 members, the annual directory groups members by specialty/subgroup membership and geographic location. Conservation training programs, funding organizations, and suppliers of conservation materials and equipment are also listed. An additional section includes current membership information, the AIC/FAIC Bylaws, and the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.

Other Publications

AIC publishes and distributes a varied selection of books, and pamphlets, on conservation subjects. Members receive discounts on all AIC publications.

Outreach

Working with allied professional organizations on the national, state, and local levels and through lectures, articles, and pamphlets, AIC promotes public understanding of art and historic artifacts conservation and its role in preserving our cultural heritage.

Guide to Conservation Services

Through a roster drawn from the AIC membership, the Guide to Conservation Services helps museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions as well as private individuals locate and select appropriate conservation services. The Guide operates under the auspices of AIC.

Specialty Group Membership

The specialty groups—Book and Paper, Paintings, Textiles, Objects, Wooden Artifacts, Architecture, Photographic Materials, and Electronic Media—provide a technical focus for educational exchange through programs and publications. The Conservators in Private Practice specialty group offers a forum for discussion of issues of particular relevance to the private conservator, and the Research and Technical Studies specialty group promotes the interaction of conservators and scientists and the advancement of scientific research in the field of conservation.

Health Insurance

Through AIC, membership members with businesses can have the opportunity to purchase health, disability, and long-term care insurance at competitive rates. Members receive special premium rates and enhanced insurance coverage for themselves, their families, or their companies—extending to part-time and full-time employees. The program is administered through Association Health Programs, 888-450-3040.

Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance for conservators has made its debut in the American marketplace and AIC took the opportunity to negotiate the best possible rates for its membership—rates that provide additional discounts for Professional Associates and Fellows of AIC. While the impact of professional liability insurance on the profession is debatable, the ability for conservators who choose this coverage to obtain it at discounted rates is unquestionably a substantial benefit of AIC membership. Read the policy description and document for more information.

Club Quarters

As an AIC member you have access to Club Quarters, a private, economical hotel alternative in eight major cities. A chart of cities and rates is available here.

Membership Categories

Open to all:

Associate –includes practicing conservators as well as museum curators, librarians, administrators, art historians, and other professionals.

Student – for full-time undergraduate or graduate students with proper identification.

Interim Year – for program graduates completing a post graduate internship.

Retired – allows those retired from the profession to stay involved at a reduced membership cost.

Institutional – a great way to show your organization’s commitment to conservation. Offers membership benefits for one representative.

Peer-Reviewed:

Professional Associate (PA) – A conservation professional who has earned an undergraduate university degree may apply for PA status after two years of training and three years of experience in the field. Applications for PA must be reviewed and supported by three Fellows or PA.

Fellow – Beyond the qualifications required for PA, applicants for Fellow must have completed three years of graduate level education or equivalent in a conservation-related field and have eight years of additional conservation experience. Evidence must be submitted of sustained high-quality professional skills and ethical behavior. Two years prior membership as a PA is required.

AIC does not have an exclusive relationship with any vendor and is willing to work with other interested parties to help shape similar programs on behalf of its membership.