FAIC Cultural Recovery Center Now Open and Accepting Damaged Works in Brooklyn

The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC) announces the opening of the Cultural Recovery Center (CRC) in Brooklyn, NY.  The CRC is offering space and to help owners of artworks damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The CRC will offer volunteer assistance and work space to museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, galleries, collectors, and artists. The goal is not to provide free conservation treatment, but to provide guidance and assistance in the cleaning and stabilization of art and cultural materials.

Artists and others in need of assistance are invited to contact the Cultural Recovery Center by phone:  718-757-2140 or by email: culturalrecoverycenter@gmail.com  Information about the size of the collection, type of objects, and damage will be collected in order to ensure that appropriate space, equipment, and expertise will be available.  Space at the CRC is limited, so all works must be received by appointment only.

The Cultural Recovery Center is located on 33rd Street in Brooklyn, in the Industry City at Bush Terminal facilities, near the 36th Street stop on the D, N, or R lines.  Normal operating hours are 9-5, Monday through Friday.  The Center will be closed on all Federal holidays as well as December 31.

Conservator Tara Kennedy cleans mold off of works of art on paper  by artist Ronnie Landfield at the Cultural Recovery Center

The Center for Cultural Recovery is operated by The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC), in cooperation with a consortium of organizations:

Alliance for Response New York City
Heritage Preservation
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
New York Regional Association for Conservation
Industry City at Bush Terminal
Smithsonian Institution

Funding for the Center has been provided by a leadership gift to FAIC from Sotheby’s.  The Smithsonian Institution and a grant to Heritage Preservation from the New York Community Trust, as well as support from TALAS, have enabled purchase of supplies.  The Center has also been outfitted with supplies from Materials for the Arts, a creative reuse program managed by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Rapid Refile has provided air filtration equipment.  Additional donations to FAIC have come from PINTA, The Modern & Contemporary Latin American Art Show; Tru Vue; Huntington T. Block, members of the American Institute for Conservation; and others. The American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art have also provided key support for recovery efforts.