Grant from the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training:

The Center has received $25,000 from the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training  (part of the National Park Service) from its PTT2010 grant program. The project to be undertaken is entitled, “Development of a micro-fading tester with near-UV capability for non-destructive evaluation of color stability on cultural property exposed to sunlight.” As part of that work, a new micro-fading tester will be designed, fabricated, and evaluated. This new device will enable testing of color stability in natural lighting environments that have not been filtered to remove ultraviolet radiation. Using this instrument, the risks of fading damage in small museums, historic houses, and protected outdoor sites can be assessed. Test results will also demonstrate the protection afforded by eliminating UV exposure by filtering room light or using UV-absorbing glazing in frames and cases.

Affiliations:

The Art Conservation Research Center (ACRC) in 2007 became affiliated with the Mellon College of Science at Carnegie Mellon University.  Concurrently, Dr. Paul Whitmore was appointed as research faculty in the Chemistry Deparment.

The ACRC is now able to offer graduate degrees in Chemistry.  Those interested should apply to graduate school through the Chemistry Department and contact us for current research opportunities.

Report to the National Science Foundation:

A report was prepared for the National Science Foundation explaining  the rationale for targeted investment in conservation science.  This report describes the nature of conservation science and its support role for conservation practice.  A copy of this report can be found on our publication list (Conservation Science Research: Activities, Needs, and Funding Opportunities). 

Collaborations:

 Carnegie Museum of Art and Library of Congress:  Both institutions have an extensive Japanese woodblock collection covering the 18th and 19th centuries.  We are in collaboration with the museum and library to survey the fading properties of the different colorants on these prints using the micro fading tester.  

 Micro fading tester demonstrations occurred at Carnegie Museum of Art-Pittsburgh; Harvard University Art Museums-Cambridge;  Museum of Fine Arts-Boston; Museum of Modern Art-New York; National Gallery of Art-Washington D.C.; Pompidou Centre-Paris, France; Buffalo State College Art Conservation Department-New York; Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum-Boston; Winterthur Museum-Winterthur; Annual Meeting of AIC; Art Institute of Chicago-Chicago; Library of Congress-Washington D.C.

Anthology of works of  Bob Feller:

      "Contributions to Conservation Science"
The Center has celebrated the 50^th year of continuous research dedicated to improving the preservation and caring of valuable art collections and objects.  In honor of its founding director, Bob Feller, a commemorative book has been published by the Carnegie Mellon University press containing various reprints which best represent his definitive work in the field.  The book can be obtained through CMU press, Archetype Books or Amazon.com.

 Related Web sites:

AIC
AATA On-line
Conservation On-line
Canadian Heritage Information Network
Heritage Preservation
INCAA