Services
Do you have any conservators on staff?
No, there are no trained conservators on staff at the institute. The staff is primarily made up of association/arts non-profit professionals. Your questions are best answered by a trained conservator, which you can find by using our
Find a Conservator tool.
Is there anyone I can ask for advice if I want to restore something myself?
You may
Find a Conservator who offers Consultation or Teaching services, but please be prepared to compensate them for their time.
How much will a conservator charge for their services?
The fees charged by conservators vary greatly depending on location, level of education and experience, the difficulty of the project, and the value of the objects being treated. Rates must be established on an individual basis.
How do I know the conservators you list are qualified?
We only list peer-reviewed members in
Find a Conservator. All have undergone our
peer-reviewed application process. A body of their peers recognized by the field reviewed their training, knowledge, and experience.
Can I get something appraised?
We recommend that you only solicit appraisals from someone who is a designated appraisal expert. Conservation professionals can identify or provide more information about an object, but they should not appraise it for any monetary value. To find an appraiser, please visit the websites of either the Appraisers Association of America at
www.appraisersassoc.org or the American Society of Appraisers at
www.appraisers.org.
Where can I find archival storage materials?
Visit our
Conservation Vendors and Products page for the latest in conservation products.
Careers
How do I become a conservator?
Please visit our
Become a Conservator page for information on the steps you can to take to become a conservator.
Do you offer internships?
As an administrative office for the association, we do not offer any conservation internships or fellowships. We suggest that you search for those opportunities in
our career center.
Membership
Can anyone become a member? How do I become one?
Yes, any individual or institution that has an interest in the field of conservation can become an Associate or Institutional member. Go to our
Membership page to learn more about becoming a member.
Can I become a member even if I'm not a U.S. citizen or resident?
Yes, we have many members from all over the world--from Seattle to Singapore. Go to our
Membership page to learn more about becoming a member.
How can I support the field without becoming a member?
You can
make a donation to the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC). The foundation supports conservation education, research, and outreach activities that increase understanding of our global cultural heritage. If you want to learn more about topics in conservation and support the foundation's work, consider becoming a
Friend of Conservation.