Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Seeking notes of interest for a new hand-held tool to detect emerald green pigment in bookbindings 2. Vacancies at the V&A - Lead Preventive Conservator 3. RE: Le temps des épreuves : réservez votre semaine du 9 novembre 2026 à Paris / The age of photographs symposium: save the date the week of 9 November 2026 à Paris 4. Preserving our history: Inspiring the next generation of conservators in the United Arab Emirates 5. RE: Important AIC and FAIC Updates 6. Thank You for Your Support – and for Making Donations to FAIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: M Pilar Gil Posted: Friday July 11, 2025 7:01 AM Subject: Seeking notes of interest for a new hand-held tool to detect emerald green pigment in bookbindings Message: Seeking notes of interest for a new hand-held tool to detect emerald green pigment in bookbindings A multidisciplinary team from the University of St Andrews have developed a tool to test bookbindings for the presence of emerald green pigment. The tool is hand-held and uses wavelengths of visible and infrared light shone onto the sample for under a second. The instantaneous test result is displayed on device and indicates whether emerald green pigment has been detected or not. The false-negative rate is null and the false-positive rate is 15%, so that no emerald green coloured books test as being safe. The tool is designed to be a simple, user-friendly device that could benefit institutions without access to analytical equipment. As the results are instantaneous, it is also useful for initial rapid screening in institutions with access to more advanced instrumentation. A run of tools will be produced in the second half of 2025 and distributed for the cost of production - to institutions, collectors and sector-professionals who have expressed an interest. To register your interest, please contact the team at [email protected] <[email protected]> Erica Kotze ACR M Pilar Gil, Heritage Scientist University Collections University of St Andrews Library & Museums [email protected] <[email protected]> 2.From: Pedro Gaspar Posted: Friday July 11, 2025 7:02 AM Subject: Vacancies at the V&A - Lead Preventive Conservator Message: The V&A is a family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity. Our mission is to champion design and creativity in all its forms, advance cultural knowledge, and inspire makers, creators and innovators everywhere. We share a 5,000-year-old story of creativity through exhibitions, events, educational programmes, digital experiences, conservation, research, and an ever-evolving national collection of over 2.8m objects spanning every creative discipline. The Lead Preventive Conservator plays a pivotal role in providing leadership in preventive conservation initiatives across all V&A sites. The focus is on ensuring high-quality delivery in areas such as Integrated Pest Management, environmental monitoring, housekeeping programme, and object-rotation across all galleries. The Lead Preventive Conservator works in collaboration with Conservation and other teams across the museum (including exhibitions, tours, loans, capital projects, and estates) to support projects with risk-based collections expertise and advice. The Lead Preventive Conservator actively promotes a culture of preventive conservation cross all V&A sites by liaising with, advising, supporting, influencing, and training stakeholders. The post holder will contribute to and provide support to the V&A's Sustainability agenda and Net Zero targets. For more information visit our website <https://vam.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/3880306?cid=3279&rsid=24732&js=0&LinkType=1&FromSearch=False> ------------------------------ Pedro Gaspar Head of Conservation Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) London United Kingdom ------------------------------ 3.From: Julia Kłosińska Posted: Friday July 11, 2025 7:02 AM Subject: RE: Le temps des épreuves : réservez votre semaine du 9 novembre 2026 à Paris / The age of photographs symposium: save the date the week of 9 November 2026 à Paris Message: Hello, I'm conservator of photography at the Museum of Warsaw. How can I register for this Symposium? Best regards, Julia Kłosińska ------------------------------ Julia Kłosińska Conservator of Photography Muzeum Warszawy Warszawa Poland ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 07-10-2025 11:41 From: Marie-Angélique Languille Subject: Le temps des épreuves : réservez votre semaine du 9 novembre 2026 à Paris / The age of photographs symposium: save the date the week of 9 November 2026 à Paris English below ------------------------ Chères et chers collègues, Nous avons le plaisir de vous annoncer que le symposium international « Le temps des épreuves. 50 ans de préservation des photographies » se tiendra à Paris la semaine du 9 novembre 2026. Ce symposium s'inscrit dans le cadre de la célébration du bicentenaire de la photographie. Destiné aux scientifiques de la conservation, conservatrices et conservateurs, responsables de fonds photographiques, conservatrices-restauratrices et conservateurs-restaurateurs des photographies, ainsi qu'aux historiennes et historiens de la photographie, ce symposium contribuera à construire le récit de cinquante années de recherche en conservation-restauration du patrimoine photographique. Il s'attachera à présenter un état des lieux des recherches récentes sur la matérialité des photographies et les conditions de leur conservation. Au plaisir de vous rencontrer à Paris, à l'automne 2026, Le comité d'organisation, Christine Barthe (musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac), Céline Daher (Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation), Agnès Gall-Ortik (Département de préservation du patrimoine photographique de la Ville de Paris), Stéphanie Grison (Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation), Marie-Angélique Languille (Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation), Bertrand Lavédrine (Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation), Isabelle-Cécile Le Mée (Ministère de la Culture) et Bertrand Sainte-Marthe (Archives nationales). ------------------------ Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the international symposium, "The Age of Photographs: 50 Years of Image Preservation", that will be held in Paris the week of November 9, 2025. This symposium is part of the events celebrating the bicentenary of the invention of photography. Aimed at conservation scientists, conservators, photographic collection managers, curators, and historians of photography, this symposium on photographic heritage will recount fifty years of research into its preservation, and present an overview of recent research on the materiality of photographs and their conservation conditions. We look forward to seeing you in Paris in autumn 2026, The Organising Committee, Christine Barthe (musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac), Céline Daher (Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation), Agnès Gall-Ortlik (Département de préservation du patrimoine photographique de la Ville de Paris), Stéphanie Grison (Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation), Marie-Angélique Languille (Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation), Bertrand Lavédrine (Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation), Isabelle-Cécile Le Mée (Ministère de la Culture) and Bertrand Sainte-Marthe (Archives nationales). 4.From: Bethany Smith Posted: Friday July 11, 2025 7:39 AM Subject: Preserving our history: Inspiring the next generation of conservators in the United Arab Emirates Message: West Dean College is thrilled to be working with restoration company Plowden & Smith Ltd and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism to deliver conservation training in the United Arab Emirates. At West Dean, we specialise in the conservation <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/school-of-conservation> of tangible cultural heritage. Students gain extensive practical experience of conservation, underpinned by a thorough grounding in theoretical and contextual knowledge. Our tutors were thrilled to be able to share their enthusiasm, knowledge and professional experiences with students, academics and conservation professionals in the UAE via the 'Preserving Our History' project. The objective of the training was to develop greater awareness of the need for conservation to protect Arab heritage and to inspire Emirati citizens to pursue rewarding careers in conservation. Initial conversations in 2023 were followed by invitations extended to Plowden & Smith Managing Director Camilla Hughes-Hunt, Stefka Evgenieva Bargazova, Senior Objects Conservator for the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism and West Dean alumna, and Fatima Mansoor Al Tamimi, Conservation Unit Head for the Department of Culture and Tourism, to visit West Dean in May 2024. The visit involved meeting staff and students, and to experience West Dean's approach to teaching, with a strong focus on utilising practice and haptic perception to embed conservation theory, treatment development and decision-making. Following the successful visit, Head of School of Conservation Lizzie Neville <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/tutors/elizabeth-neville> began working with Plowden & Smith and the Department of Culture and Tourism to design a 'Preserving our history' taster week, followed by a 2-day symposium of the same name, consisting of interactive discussions, panels and presentations. The taster week was held in November 2024 at Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace, with the symposium being held in May 2025 at the Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas. Members of our experienced School of Conservation tutor team and esteemed alumni were involved in the delivery of the taster week and symposium. Ceramics Subject Lead Lorna Calcutt <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/tutors/lorna-calcutt>, Books Subject Lead Victoria Stevens <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/tutors/victoria-stevens-1>, Books Subject Tutor Maudie Casserly <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/tutors/maudie-casserly>, Conservation Science Tutor Anna Guy <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/tutors/anna-guy>, and Metals Conservation alumna <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/degrees-and-diplomas/ma-conservation-studies> Carola Del Mese each delivered sessions around their specialist areas of expertise. Topics included 'A day in the life of a conservator', ceramics conservation, and analysis of inorganic and organic materials. Plastics conservation specialist and West Dean tutor Brenda Keneghan <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/tutors/brenda-keneghan>, and Collections Care and Management specialist Tatiana Maresco supported with online delivery. Further demonstrations and support came from specialists established in the UAE, including Gail Pollin for digitisation, Rana Zureikat for 3-D printing, Elena Romero Neila and Chie Nakano for paintings conservation, and Octavia Forster from Plowden and Smith. The taster week was designed for 15-20 participants from across the Emirates, consisting of university students from arts and archaeology courses in the UAE, recent graduates, collectors, as well as library and museum staff. The symposium was opened by Dr Peter Magee, Director of the in-construction, Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi and Chair of the International Association for the Study of Arabia, participants joining from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Lizzie Neville comments, "Working on the 'Preserving our History' project is extraordinary. The vision is ambitious, and yet this is matched by such enthusiasm from participants to learn about conservation. Many miles may divide us, but we are all learning to work together as a team to build and expand this amazing educational programme." We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to Stefka and her conservation team at Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism for their tireless support throughout both events. We look forward to continuing to build on West Dean's partnership and deliver further conservation training to develop skills and conservation careers in the region. This initiative aligns closely with West Dean's commitment to advancing global standards in conservation education and safeguarding cultural heritage through international collaboration. Read more here <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/news/conservation-in-united-arab-emirates> Explore all Conservation courses <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/school-of-conservation#degrees-and-diplomas> offered at West Dean, from CPD short courses <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/short-courses/conservation?full=yes>, to Graduate Diploma <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/degrees-and-diplomas/courses?instance=School+of+Conservation&level=Graduate+Diploma> and MA <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/degrees-and-diplomas/ma-conservation-studies>. ------------------------------ West Dean College West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ UK ------------------------------ 5.From: Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe Posted: Friday July 11, 2025 2:47 PM Subject: RE: Important AIC and FAIC Updates Message: Hi Diana: Thank you so very much-- not only for your generous intention to support FAIC, but also for taking the time to let us know when you've encountered issues trying to donate. Your support means the world to us, especially in these challenging times. We're hearing from a few international colleagues who are receiving unclear error messages when attempting to make a donation online. As our Membership Manager Ryan Winfield has explained, the issue is usually due to credit card companies flagging international donations as potentially fraudulent. Here's what we recommend: The best course of action is to call your card company directly and ask them to allow the transaction. Once approved, the donation should go through smoothly. If you're ready to try again: 1. Visit our donation page: Donate Online <https://members.culturalheritage.org/fundraising/give> 2. Click the "Donate Online" button <https://members.culturalheritage.org/fundraising/give> 3. On the next page, choose your preferred fund in the drop-down menu labeled "Where should this gift be directed?" Other ways to contribute: If problems persist, or if you prefer an alternative method, we're happy to help. We can assist with: • PayPal (please contact us by email for details) • Donor Advised Fund contributions (e.g., via DAF Direct) • Planned Giving (visit our Planned Giving page) • Mail a check to: FAIC Attn: Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe 727 15th Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 USA Please feel free to reach out to either of us directly-we're more than happy to help: • Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe – [email protected] <[email protected]> • Ryan Winfield – [email protected] <[email protected]> We're incredibly grateful for your kindness and for being part of our global conservation community. Your support helps keep vital resources-like the Connecting to Collections Care (C2CC), Conservation Online (CoOL), and the National Heritage Responders-freely available to the field. With warmest thanks, ------------------------------ Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe Executive Director American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in Conservation Washington, DC ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 07-07-2025 09:50 From: Diana Bencatel Subject: Important AIC and FAIC Updates Dear Lissa, I've been trying to make an online donation, but I keep getting an error message saying: "International transactions are not allowed." I'm wondering if there's an alternative way to contribute, perhaps via PayPal or another method that doesn't involve a credit card? Thank you so much for everything you do. Warm regards, Diana Bencatel Original Message: Sent: 7/3/2025 3:47:00 PM From: Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe Subject: RE: Important AIC and FAIC Updates Dear Valerie: Thank you for raising such a generous and thoughtful question. You're absolutely right -- what we're experiencing in the US is not an isolated challenge. Financial pressures facing FAIC and AIC and our members reflect a broader global issue for the conservation field. And yes, we need your help! We welcome ideas and input from you and across this international community. Please let me know if you'd like to join me for a virtual coffee. We're already exploring several paths forward and would welcome your support: We'll plan another funding session at our 2026 Annual Meeting <https://www.culturalheritage.org/events/annual-meeting/current-meeting>, to be held jointly with the Canadian Association for Conservation of Cultural Property (CAC) in Montreal from April 27 to May 1, 2026. We would love to collaborate with our global colleagues to shape a conversation and elevate new funding models.With our planned team-based restructuring, we're also thinking about how we work together and collaborate in community. How our field redirects in response.As outcome of conversations during Annual Meeting, looking at how a group can come together to support conservation/ cultural heritage and professionals exacerbated by current federal impacts.Leaders of the largest conservation associations have begun meeting quarterly, and we will include this critical issue in upcoming discussions. And to both international and national funders: we are calling on you to help us financially and to partner with us in navigating a new era of sustainable support and collaboration. To everyone here on the Global Conservation Forum (GCF) <https://www.culturalheritage.org/resources/global-conservation-forum> please help us now: Join or renew your AIC membership <https://www.culturalheritage.org/membership/join>Register early <https://www.culturalheritage.org/events/annual-meeting/current-meeting> for the Montreal 2026 Annual Meeting and take advantage of summer ratesPlease Donate to FAIC <https://www.culturalheritage.org/donate> We want to keep both GCF (and CoOL <https://www.culturalheritage.org/resources/cool>) freely available. Our resources are used by more than 11,500 people worldwide to access conservation knowledge, job listings, events and open exchange. While access is free providing and maintaining these resources is not. It costs FAIC approximately $3,000 USD each month to sustain GCF and CoOL. If every registrant gave just $10 USD we could raise more than$100,000 USD- enough to fund these free resources GCF for a full year and help recover a fraction of the funding FAIC has lost. If you've learned something, shared something, or even just followed along please consider giving back. Please donate now <https://www.culturalheritage.org/donate> even a small contribution makes a big difference. If you have questions, we're happy to help: [email protected] <[email protected]> Thank you, Valerie, for your post and to everyone here, thank you for being part of this global community. We'll be stronger together. With gratitude, lr-y. Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe Executive Director, AIC and FAIC (she/her/hers) american institute for conservation Preserving Cultural Heritage foundation for advancement in conservation Protecting Cultural Heritage [email protected] <[email protected]> (p) 202.661.8060 727 15th St NW | Suite 500 | Washington, DC | 20005 culturalheritage.org <https://www.culturalheritage.org/> | @conservators <https://twitter.com/@conservators> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/aiconservation/> Original Message: Sent: 7/3/2025 9:11:00 AM From: Valerie Tomlinson Subject: RE: Important AIC and FAIC Updates With all the financial uncertainty and attacks against institutional archives and heritage going on in the US at present, is it time for the international community to step up and take more of a role in the Global Conservation forum? Are there ways that we, out in the rest of the world, can help the AIC and government funded heritage institutions by sharing a load? Valerie Tomlinson Conservator ------------------------------ Valerie Tomlinson Conservator of Modern and Contemporary Art Art Gallery of Ontario Toronto Canada ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 06-30-2025 15:37 From: Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe Subject: Important AIC and FAIC Updates Dear Global Conservation Forum Community: With empathy and transparency, I share that we will be making a major operational restructuring that affects both AIC and FAIC. This decision comes in response to ongoing structural deficits in AIC's budgets over the past several years, and the loss of 75% of FAIC's budget due to the elimination of key federal grants. In order to remain sustainable and continue providing essential member services, AIC and FAIC staff shall shift to a team-based operational model designed to foster greater collaboration and improve efficiency.As part of this transition-- and with deep regret, two staff positions are being eliminated effective Tuesday, July 1: AIC's Meetings and Advocacy Director and FAIC's Development Manager. These cuts are painful and are not a reflection of the performance or professionalism of those impacted.Ruth Seyler and Anna-Claire McGrath have each made significant and lasting contributions to both AIC and FAIC. Ruth's two decades of service have been foundational to our Annual Meetings and advocacy efforts, and her deep knowledge of the field is outstanding. Over the past two years, Anna-Claire has skillfully adapted to shifting priorities, advancing our development efforts during a time of great complexity. We're grateful to Ruth and Anna-Claire for leaving us in such a strong position for the work ahead. Planning for the 2026 Annual Meeting in Montreal, and fundraising efforts remains on track, thanks to their thoughtful work. They will be deeply missed, both professionally and personally. They are valued colleagues, and I hope you will join me in thanking them both for their exemplary service to our organizations and to the field.I recognize this news comes on the heels of a highly successful Annual Meeting-- made possible by the extraordinary efforts of our staff and community. While the timing may feel difficult, this restructuring is necessary to remain fiscally viable and to continue supporting AIC members and the conservation field.This decision is driven entirely by financial necessity and the realities of our current operating environment. It is part of a larger shift toward a more efficiently focused, team-based operational structure consolidating across both AIC and FAIC. To better leverage staff skills and reduce duplication of effort, I am working with our staff to form new cross-functional project groups. These teams will manage key areas of work, including Annual Meeting planning (program content, attendee support, logistics, sponsorship and exhibitor engagement, and registration), as well as development, financial planning, and professional development.We remain committed to serving the field with the continuing dedication and integrity that defines our missions, visions, and values. AIC and FAIC staff and boards will be meeting throughout this month and August to finalize these plans and ensure a smooth transition to our new team-based operational model across both organizations. As you know, we provide the Global Conservation Forum free and if you are able to help support us <https://members.culturalheritage.org/fundraising/give> we would be most appreciative.Thanks for your support and understanding, ------------------------------ Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe Executive Director American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in Conservation Washington, DC ------------------------------ 6.From: Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe Posted: Friday July 11, 2025 2:54 PM Subject: Thank You for Your Support – and for Making Donations to FAIC Message: Dear colleagues: Thank you so much for your very kind and thoughtful messages of support. It truly means a lot to the whole team. Right now, we're working closely with staff on a team-based transition to ensure our work remains collaborative and connected- not siloed. That restructuring and planning will continue through next month, and we'll share more with members soon. For now, I'm grateful to say: the work continues- and so does our commitment to the field. I also thank colleagues who have already made donations and all who have also expressed interest in making a donation to FAIC. It's an incredibly generous gesture, and we're so appreciative. Thank you so very much! Your support means the world to us, especially in these challenging times. We're hearing from a few international colleagues who are receiving unclear error messages when attempting to make a donation online. As our Membership Manager Ryan Winfield has explained, the issue is usually due to credit card companies flagging international donations as potentially fraudulent. Here's what we recommend: The best course of action is to call your card company directly and ask them to allow the transaction. Once approved, the donation should go through smoothly. If you're ready to try again: 1. Visit our donation page <https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-us/foundation/donate> 2. Click the "Donate Online" button <https://members.culturalheritage.org/fundraising/give> 3. On the next page, choose your preferred fund in the drop-down menu labeled "Where should this gift be directed?" Other ways to contribute: If problems persist, or if you prefer an alternative method, we're happy to help. We can assist with: • PayPal (please contact us by email for details) • Donor Advised Fund contributions <https://www.dafdirect.org/DAFDirect/daflink?_dafdirect_settings=MjM3NDI0NDE4XzIxMTFfNGY3ZmRkYTctMTdlNi00OTFmLWI1OTYtYjRiZTU3Yjg0ZmUw&designatedText=&amountValue=> (e.g., via DAF Direct) • Planned Giving <https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-us/foundation/donate/planned-giving> (visit our Planned Giving page) or Qualified Charitable Distribution (please contact us by email for details) • Mail a check to: FAIC Attn: Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe 727 15th Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 USA Please feel free to reach out to either of us directly-we're more than happy to help: • Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe – [email protected] <[email protected]> • Ryan Winfield – [email protected] <[email protected]> We're incredibly grateful for your kindness and for being part of our global conservation community. Your support helps keep vital resources-- like the Connecting to Collections Care (C2CC), Conservation Online (CoOL), and the National Heritage Responders-- freely available to the field. With warmest thanks, ------------------------------ Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe Executive Director American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in Conservation Washington, DC ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
