Mission
We are the national membership organization supporting conservation professionals in preserving cultural heritage by establishing and upholding professional standards, promoting research and publications, providing educational opportunities, and fostering the exchange of knowledge among conservators, allied professionals, and the public.
Vision
We envision a world in which the preservation of cultural material is appreciated and supported, thereby encouraging knowledge and understanding of our cultural heritage.
Values
Advocacy
We are the voice for cultural materials preservation. We advocate for public policy founded on the enduring evidence of human imagination, creativity, and achievement.
Education & Lifelong Learning
We promote the attainment of expert knowledge of materials and technologies and mastery of conservation techniques. We promote the understanding of the values and contexts of our cultural heritage and stress informed decision-making in conservation. We are dedicated to service in the field, research, sharing knowledge with others, and continued education.
Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to the premise that the preservation of cultural heritage is inseparable from our belief that the creative achievements and histories of all peoples must be acknowledged and honored. Through our support of all conservation and heritage professionals, we actively strive to create an inclusive and equitable environment in which all members of our community are valued and respected.
Governance
We embrace sustained, strategic management of our organization, reflecting our responsibilities to our membership, allied professions, partners, the public, and our cultural heritage preservation agenda.
Member Services
We welcome any individual, organization, or institution to become a member. We encourage education and networking for professionals, allied professionals, and individuals interested in supporting conservation. We provide and develop services that are responsive to the professional needs of our members.
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
We promote the preservation of cultural heritage as a means toward a deeper understanding of our shared humanity—the need to express ourselves through creative achievement in the arts, literature, architecture, and technology. We honor the history and integrity of achievements in the humanities and science through the preservation of cultural materials for future generations.
Professionalism
We support the provision of conservation services by professionally qualified individuals who adhere to our code of ethics and guidelines for practice.