About Conservation
Sarah Casto flattening an inkjet photograph with applied media by Joshua Rashaad McFadden. Photo by Taina Meller
Art conservation is a profession dedicated to the preservation and care of material cultural heritage - including art, artifacts, archives, and heirlooms. Conservators undergo formal training that includes coursework in organic chemistry, studio art, and art history, and abide by a code of ethics to guide all activities and treatment decisions. A conservation treatment can improve an item’s stability, appearance, or both, while other activities can prevent or mitigate future damage. To learn more, refer to the American Institute for Conservation (AIC):
What is Conservation?
Find a Conservator
Becoming a Conservator
About Photographs
Tintype workshop, Dallas Center for Photography
Photographic technology has been evolving since before the announcement of the Daguerreotype in 1839, and continues to do so today. Each photographic process has unique preservation needs based on the support, binder, and image material that make up the photograph. Understanding a photograph’s characteristics and condition is essential before undertaking conservation treatment.
Lingua Franca: A Common Language for Conservators of Photographic Materials by Library and Archives Canada
Graphics Atlas: identification and characterization of photographs and prints
Controlled Vocabulary for Photographic Processes by Gawain Weaver
Digital Print Preservation Portal (DP3 Project): identification and preservation of digitally printed photographs
The Atlas of Analytical Signatures of Photographic Processes by Getty Conservation Institute
FilmCare.org: best practices in film preservation by Image Permanence Institute
Care for your CollectioN
Casto family photographs
Protecting the items you care about starts with you. To learn more about how to properly store, display, and enjoy your collection:
AIC Caring for Your Personal Belongings
AIC Collections Care Resources
Library of Congress Preservation Resources
Preservation at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) Preservation Leaflets
Ohio Preservation Council
disaster preparedness and recovery
Disaster recovery workshop, June 2019
Advance planning and rapid response can help minimize damage to your items during fire, floods, infestations, and other disasters. Selected organizations and resources available before, during, and after an event are:
AIC Emergency Resources
Risk Evaluation and Planning Program (REPP)
National Heritage Responders (NHR)
Alliance for Response - Ohio (AR-OH)
Texas Collections Emergency Resourse Alliance (TX-CERA)