Call for Proposals – SERCA 2026 Annual Conference
Theme: Out-of-the-Box!
The Use of Non-Traditional Methods, Materials, and Practices in the Care and Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Dates: Thursday, February 27th – Sunday, March 1st, 2026
Location: Cherokee, North Carolina
The Southeastern Regional Conservation Association (SERCA) is thrilled to announce our annual conference, taking place this year in the stunning Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina!
We invite innovative, thought-provoking, and dynamic proposals for presentations that explore creative approaches to conservation. This year’s theme, Out-of-the-Box!, celebrates the bold, the experimental, and the unconventional—methods, materials, and practices that push beyond traditional models of care and preservation.
Laura Elliff Cruz, Head of Collections at the School for Advanced Research (SAR) Indian Arts Research Center (IARC)is the keynote speaker for our annual conference. She will provide a virtual presentation on the Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide. This framework honors Indigenous belief systems and practices, centering Tribal sovereignty and intellectual authority over cultural heritage.
We welcome proposals on a wide range of topics—whether rooted in Indigenous practices, experimental conservation treatments, experimental techniques, or imaginative uses of nontraditional materials. Presentations do not need to be directly related to Indigenous collections to be considered; all ideas that challenge the status quo and inspire fresh thinking are encouraged!
Join us as we gather in the heart of the Appalachians to share knowledge, spark conversation, and reimagine the future of cultural heritage preservation.
Proposal submissions are due by November 7th, 2025. SERCA will notify presenters if their presentation has been selected by November 30th, 2025. Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this dynamic event and to share your knowledge with colleagues from across the region.
To submit a proposal, please complete the Submit a Proposal Form.
Email any questions to me at communications@sercaconservation.org.
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Marianne Kelsey
SERCA Communications Coordinator
Paper Conservator
Kelsey Conservation
Greensboro NC
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