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The AIC Wiki is sponsored by the American Institute for Conservation with content created by the various AIC Specialty Groups, Networks and Committees. Several of the Specialty Groups had "AIC Conservation Catalogs," compendia of working knowledge on materials and techniques used to preserve and treat works of art and historic artifacts. The series, begun in 1985 in print format and still in active development, was intended to be updated on an ongoing basis as techniques, technologies, and modes of practice evolve. Placing this content on the AIC wiki platform allows for easy and timely collaborative editing and also provide much broader access to these resources, ensuring that innovative methods and materials are documented and widely disseminated to practicing conservators and conservation scientists. Other groups have documented their knowledge bases directly on this wiki platform. Each section of the wiki may have a different organizational structure and while there is an overall template for many entries, these have been modified to meet the needs of each group.

Check Out What's New!

The original text from the 1999 CD-ROM Exhibit Conservation Guidelines developed by Toby Raphael and Nancy Davis and published by the National Park Service is now available in the Exhibition Standards & Guidelines pages. This content is now under active development to update the core text and TechNotes.

Glimpse inside the new volume Preventive Conservation: Collection Storage to read the chapter abstracts or order your copy now from AIC's online store.

Visit the new Accessing Conservation Literature page for a general guide for how to find current research and relevant articles in the conservation literature. This page was started by BPG with the hope that it will become a centralized place that all specialty groups will continue to expand on. Please visit the page for more details on how to contribute.

There's a new Gels page with an introduction and overview of Gels, Thickeners, and Viscosity Modifiers. The use of these materials in conservation spans disciplines: this is intended to be a cross-disciplinary starting bibliography for those seeking a brief overview of important conservation materials.

Click on the subjects below to access the in depth content as well as to view more information on the original source and format.

Materials and Treatment

• Architecture
• Archaeological Conservation
• Book and Paper
• Electronic Media
• Objects
• Paintings
• Photographic Materials
• Textiles
• Wooden Artifacts

Research and Analysis

• Materials Testing
• Instrumental Analysis
• Environmental Testing
• Case Studies

Preventive Care

• Collection Care
• Environmental Guidelines
• Choosing Materials for Storage, Exhibition & Transport
• Exhibition Guidelines & Best Practices
• Housing Design & Specifications
• Mounts & Mountmaking
• Emergency Preparedness & Response

Work Practices

• Imaging
• Health & Safety
• Sustainable Practices
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
• Public Relations and Outreach Toolkit
• Setting up a Conservation Lab
• Business Practices for Conservators

Education & Professional Development

• Professional Development and Career Resources
• Resources for Emerging Conservation Professionals
• Teaching Conservation
• K-12 Educational Resources on Conservation
• Accessing Conservation Literature

Additional Topics

• Conservation Supply Sources
• History of Conservation and Conservators
• AIC Institutional History
• FAIC Institutional History
• Conservation Organizations and Conferences
• Exhibiting Conservation
• Lexicon

Getting Started

To contribute to the AIC wiki please:

• Read up - Read the AIC wiki user guidelines page for background information on how to use and contribute to this resource.
• Identify yourself - Contact the AIC e-Editor to indicate your interest and be put in touch with the appropriate AIC Wiki Chairs and Editors
• Get trained - The AIC e-Editor will create an account with Creator level access after training has been completed. Training can be obtained in one of three ways:

1. Participate in one of AIC's online training sessions held throughout the year.
2. View the AIC wiki training video on YouTube or
3. Verify that you are already conversant with MediaWiki editing.

There is a training video specific for ECPN members also available on YouTube.

• Play in the Sandbox! It's a consequences-free place where you can learn how to use the wiki platform and wiki code, including templates! Practice here until you feel comfortable. For useful tips visit the Wiki Editors' Resources and the Current events pages.
• Start with small edits, such as fixing typos or formatting lists. Fill in small gaps of missing information, such as the translations on the Lexicon terms pages. Convert static (read: written out but not actually linked) links to working links, such as those in Bibliographies and "Read More" sections of pages. More examples of all-purpose pages, in need of small edits or content, can be found on the help wanted page.

Shortcuts for some commonly used style features on the AIC wiki include:

• Template for new Catalogue chapter
• Adding Images
• Adding Tables
• Citations

Video training resources are available on the Wiki Editors' Resources page

A Message about our funder

This website was developed under a grant from the National Park Service and the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the American Institute for Conservation and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Park Service or the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.

The AIC wiki uses MediaWiki software.For detailed information consult the following MediaWiki resources:

• MS Word Add-in for MediaWiki This macro will automatically reformat MS Word documents with MediaWiki markup. While some editing may be necessary, this can be a big timesaver. Download the macro to your computer and when you click on Save As for your document choose the MediaWiki format. Open your new saved document and paste in the markedup text into your wiki edit window. For more information visit this useful Help page.
• MediaWiki FAQ
• User's Guide for information on using the wiki software.
• Using Footnotes and References on MediaWiki
• MediaWiki's guide for page editing