Held in Trust is a four-year cooperative agreement between the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC).
Mission:
The mission of Held in Trust is to evaluate the state of preservation and conservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the United States.
Goals:
- Consider the current state, future directions, challenges, opportunities, and resource needs for the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage in the U.S., including moveable objects (art, artifacts, decorative objects), archival materials, images, architecture, cultural sites, and intangible cultural heritage.
- Examine the intersection of cultural heritage conservation and preservation with issues of urgent importance in the world today.
- Identify future directions and resource priorities to ensure that our nation’s cultural heritage will be available for future education and enrichment.
The work aligns with the overall goals of A More Perfect Union, including an emphasis on identifying future paths. The outcomes of the project, expected in 2023, will guide work through to 2026 and following the semiquincentennial and in concert with America 250.
The project brings together a broad range of conservation and allied professionals, constituents, and communities, engaged in exploring the intersection of cultural heritage preservation with issues of urgent importance in the world today impacting the cultural landscape.There are nine areas of study explored by Held in Trust:
- Field Investment, Infrastructure, and Sustainability
- Climate Crisis and Environmental Impact
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility
- Collection Care and Preventive Conservation
- Philosophy and Ethics in Conservation
- Education, Professional Development, and Leadership
- Engagement, Communication, and Storytelling
- Science and Materials
- Digital Technology: Research and Practice