Regional Groups

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Regional associations, social groups and guilds dedicated to conservation within the USA are listed here. Please do not list any regional centers or regional conservation labs; regional centers/labs can be listed on the conservation labs and studios list.

Active Groups

Bay Area Art Conservation Guild

• Mission (from their website): Founded "for the purpose of providing an organization to coordinate and advance the knowledge and improved methods of conservation needed to protect, preserve, and maintain the condition and integrity of objects of artistic, historic, scientific, or cultural worth."
• Founded in 1974
• Website: Bay Area Art Conservation Guild

The Chicago Area Conservation Group

• Mission (from their website):
  • "The group’s purpose is to promote learning and exchange ideas among those interested in, or responsible for, the preservation and protection of art, library, archival museum, or historical objects, and to foster social relationships among members, their friends, and guests. Membership in the group is open to all."
  • "The Chicago area’s conservation community gathered at the Newberry Library to form the CACG: Founders and shapers of the organization were Paul Banks, Gary Frost, Louis Pomerantz, Dick Smith, Merrily Smith, and Robert Weinberg."
• Founded in 1974
• Website: The Chicago Area Conservation Group

Gulf Coast Conservation Group:

• Meets in the Houston/Austin TX area.
• Founded post-2000's

Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium (IPC)

• Mission (from their website): "The Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium’s mission is to initiate, encourage, and enhance preservation and conservation activities in and among all Iowa repositories and institutions whose collections include a variety of materials such as audio-visuals, microforms, paper-based, and electronically-stored information for the benefit of present and future generations."
• Founded in 1989
• Website: Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium (IPC)

The Midwest Regional Conservation Guild

• Mission (from their website): The MRCG was formed by art conservation and restoration professionals with the purpose of bringing together those individuals in the Midwest region (and beyond) interested in the preservation of historic and artistic works and to promote fellowship and exchange of ideas on a professional level."
• Founded in 1980
• Publications/Journals: MRCG Spring and Fall Newsletters
• Website: The Midwest Regional Conservation Guild

New England Conservation Association

• Mission (from their website): The New England Conservation Association (NECA) "hosts an annual series of meetings where members can keep up-to-date on the latest developments in conservation, enjoy refreshments with friends and colleagues, and see behind the scenes in area labs and studios. Annual workshops are organized to provide hands-on opportunities for specialized interests with a rotating subject matter."
• Founded in 1974
• Website: NECA Facebook and New England Conservation Association

New York Regional Association for Conservation

• Mission (from their website): "New York Regional Association for Conservation (NYRAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the dissemination and sharing of current research on the preservation of visual art and artifacts."
• NYRAC meets primarily in the NYC area.
• Website: New York Regional Association for Conservation

North Texas Association for Art Conservation

• Mission (from their website): "The North Texas Association for Art Conservation (NTAAC) is a collegial group interested in the preservation, conservation, and restoration of historic and artistic works. NTAAC aims to promote professional dialogue in North Texas, support educational efforts within the conservation community and reach out to invested communities."
• Online presence:
  • Website:North Texas Association for Art Conservation
  • Facebook:NTAAC

Philadelphia Area Conservation Association (PACA)

• Mission (from their website): "PACA brings together conservation and preservation professionals in the greater Philadelphia area. We offer programs that feature local institutions’ preservation initiatives, support networking, facilitate professional development, and promote knowledge of conservation in the community at large. Our members receive free  or discounted admission to events and join a supportive, dynamic group of knowledgeable fellow professionals."
• Organized events (from their website): "PACA offers four to six conservation-related events to its members and their guests each year, and admission is free or discounted for PACA members. Past events have included private gallery, garden, and cemetery tours; conservator-led project talks; tip sessions; film screenings; and conservation lab tours. Each year PACA hosts a general members' meeting and a fantastic holiday party."
• Website: Philadelphia Area Conservation Association (PACA)

Southeast Regional Conservation Association (SERCA)

• Mission (from their website): "The major focus of Southeast Regional Conservation Association, Inc. (SERCA) is to educate caretakers of cultural property and their communities about preservation as an ongoing responsibility, as well as raising awareness of and support for conservation."
• Founded in 1998
  • Also see: February, 2011 in an interview with David Goist on (Emerging Conservators Professional Network Blog Spot)
• Publications/Journals: Tri-annual newsletter delivered by email to members
• Also:
  • SERCA was founded by conservators in southeastern USA. It is registered in Atlanta, GA as a 501(c)(3) non-profit open to all.
  • "Students and emerging conservators may apply for the Leonora Weaver Scholarship (begun 2015), to cover registration fees and provide a small stipend for travel to SERCA’s annual educational programs."
• Online presence:
  • Website: Southeast Regional Conservation Association
  • Mention:Southeastern Museums Conference

Virginia Conservation Association

• Mission (from their website): "The Virginia Conservation Association (VCA) promotes the care and preservation of cultural materials. The VCA offers education and training for those involved in conservation and provides a forum for discussion of pertinent issues and new developments in the field."
• Website: Virginia Conservation Association

Washington Conservation Guild (WCG)

• Mission (from their website): "The Washington Conservation Guild (WCG) was founded to promote the increase and exchange of conservation knowledge.
• Founded in 1967
• Website:Washington Conservation Guild

Western Association for Art Conservation (WAAC)

• Mission (from their website): "WAAC, the Western Association for Art Conservation, is a nonprofit membership organization for professional conservators practicing in the western United States to exchange ideas, information and news. "
• Founded in 1975
• Online presence:
  • Website: Western Association for Art Conservation
  • Facebook: Western Association for Art Conservation
  • Wikipedia entry: Western Association for Art Conservation
• Publications/Journals: WAAC Newsletter

Inactive Groups

Arizona Paper and Photograph Conservation Group:

• Mission: "A concerned group of book, manuscript, archives and photograph curators met in Phoenix to discuss what is rapidly becoming the fate of many unique historical materials--loss through paper deterioration. The APPCG became the first state organization dedicated to the cause of preserving Arizona's unique historical collections.
  • From ConservatioNews. 1981. APPCG Celebrates 1st Birthday. ConservatioNews 1(2):1.
• Founded on October 27, 1980
• Publications/Journals: ConservatioNews

SWAC:

• Founded in the late 1970's- early 1980's(?)
• Primarily Austin, TX

Western New York Conservation Guild (WNYCG):

• Mission:
• Founded in 1987 - late 1990's(?)

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