Cher specializes in the conservation of paper-based materials, with deep expertise in the treatment, preservation, and long-term care of archival documents, works of art on paper, and printed materials. Her practice integrates traditional conservation techniques with evolving approaches to preventive care, digitization, and sustainable preservation strategies. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a particular interest in large-scale collection assessments, custom housing solutions, and the ethical considerations that guide interventive treatment. She is known for bridging hands-on benchwork with institutional planning and public outreach—ensuring that conservation decisions serve both the physical needs of the materials and the broader mission of access, education, and stewardship.
Cher Schneider is the Head of Paper Conservation at the New York State Office of Cultural Education, which serves the New York State Archives, Library, and Museum. Prior to this role, she was Head of Paper Conservation at the Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA) in Cleveland. She also served as the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Senior Conservator at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).
Cher completed an Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in Paper Conservation at the Art Institute of Chicago in the Department of Prints and Drawings. She previously held professional internships at the UIUC Library and the National Gallery of Canada, also within the Department of Prints and Drawings.
She earned her Master’s degree in Art Conservation, specializing in Paper Conservation, from Queen’s University in 2008. Her foundation in the field began with a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Following her undergraduate studies, she worked for three years at the Pennsylvania Art Conservatory as a paper conservator while completing coursework in Chemistry and Organic Chemistry to support her conservation training.
Cher has actively contributed to the Book and Paper Group (BPG) and related professional communities. Her service includes:
Ethics and Standards Committee (2025)
Ethics and Standards Sub Committee (2023-24)
Nominating Committee (2021–2022)
Chair of the Education and Programs Committee (2017–2020)
Member of the original BPG Wiki committee, where she served as compiler, editor, and coordinator (2012–2017)
Co-chair of the Archives Conservation Discussion Group (ACDG) (2012–2014)
In addition to her work with AIC, she has served on several external committees, including the CAP NY Alliance for Response, the CDLC Preservation Unit, and the ALA Digital Working Group. Cher is committed to promoting education, collaboration, and the responsible care of collections, with a belief in sharing preservation and conservation knowledge across disciplines to maximize its impact.