American Institute for Conservation & Foundation for Advancement in Conservation
The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) is the leading national membership organisation for conservation professionals in the United States, headquartered in Washington D.C. Alongside it, the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) serves as AIC’s educational and public-outreach arm, funding research, training, and emergency response programmes for cultural heritage across the country and internationally.
At a glance
- Type
- National professional membership organisation (conservation)
- Period
- AIC founded 1972; FAIC established as companion foundation
- Style
- Non-profit professional association
- Location
- 727 15th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington D.C. 20005, USA
- Coordinates
- 38.8996° N, 77.0333° W
Overview
The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) is a national membership organisation of conservation professionals headquartered in Washington D.C. It serves conservators, conservation scientists, and allied professionals who work to preserve cultural heritage objects, collections, and sites. AIC sets ethical standards and professional guidelines, publishes peer-reviewed research through the Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, and coordinates the national network of specialists available for cultural heritage emergencies. The Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) channels philanthropic support into grants, scholarships, and public-facing programmes.
History
AIC was formally established in 1972 as the professional home for conservators working across museums, archives, libraries, and private practice in the United States. Its founding codified a discipline that had previously lacked a unified national voice, bringing together specialists in paintings, paper, objects, textiles, and architectural conservation under shared ethical principles. FAIC was later created to attract philanthropic funding and extend the organisation’s reach into public education and international capacity-building programmes.
What you see
AIC’s Washington D.C. office functions primarily as an administrative and professional headquarters rather than a public exhibition space. The organisation’s public-facing work is best experienced through its annual conference, online resources, and the Heritage Emergency National Task Force — a partnership between FAIC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that deploys conservators to disaster sites. Its publication programme and online practitioner directory are widely used resources for anyone seeking a qualified conservator.
Cultural significance
AIC/FAIC occupies a central role in shaping how the United States — and, through international partnerships, other countries — approaches the preservation of cultural heritage. Its ethical code and professional guidelines are internationally referenced standards, and its disaster response network has aided recovery efforts at cultural institutions following hurricanes, floods, and other catastrophic events.
Practical information
- Address
- 727 15th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington D.C. 20005, USA
- Access
- Administrative offices; not a public museum. Resources and member services available online at culturalheritage.org
- Website
- Check official website (culturalheritage.org) for current programmes and contact information
Getting there
The AIC/FAIC office is located in downtown Washington D.C., within easy reach of the McPherson Square Metro station (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines) and several bus lines. The building is a short walk from the White House and the National Mall area. Street parking is limited; public transit is recommended.