Tag: AIC Board Statements

AIC Board of Directors’ Statement of Solidarity with the Smithsonian Institution

We would like to share the following message from the AIC Board of Directors:

“The American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works decries recent actions that impede the preservation of cultural heritage. The deliberate placement, on two separate occasions, of a noxious symbol of intolerance – a noose – in the galleries of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and on the property of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden interferes with their mission to celebrate and preserve cultural collections. These repugnant acts denigrate the work of our valued conservation colleagues, disrupt the visitor experience, and intimidate potentially new and broader audiences. We believe that the creative achievements and histories of all peoples must be acknowledged and honored through access, interpretation, and preservation. We urge everyone who cares for our cultural heritage to actively support the Smithsonian’s exhibitions and programs.”

To learn more about the events of last week, you can find an article from Smithsonian Magazine here.

If you would like to share this statement, you can also find it here in PDF format.

AIC Board of Directors Statement on Travel Restrictions

We would like to share the following statement from the AIC Board of Directors:

“The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) recognizes that cultural heritage belongs to everyone regardless of their faith, color, ethnicity, or nationality. Its care and preservation is a global responsibility and depends upon ongoing collaboration and scholarly exchange within the international conservation community. Only through inclusiveness, can the AIC remain a dynamic and effective professional membership organization. Therefore, the AIC deplores any action taken, such as President Trump’s recently enacted travel ban, to restrict the free entry into the United States of conservation professionals based upon their country of citizenship.”

If you would like to share this statement, it is available here.

AIC Board of Directors Statement on the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL)

We would like to share the following statement from the AIC Board of Directors:
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works strongly supports the Oceti Sakowin Oyate (the Great Sioux Nation) and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their opposition to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) across treaty land.  As the national professional organization dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage, we deplore the destruction or desecration of any historic or sacred site, and are deeply concerned by the current threat posed to such cultural heritage by the DAPL.  We are committed to collaborating with native people and support the preservation and long-term stewardship of their culturally significant sites.  For these reasons, we join with allied agencies, including the American Alliance of Museums, the American Anthropological Association, and the Society for American Archaeology, to condemn any negative impact of the DAPL on historic and sacred sites.
 
 
Approved by the AIC Board of Directors
December 1, 2016
To view and share the statement, click here.