AICCM Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025

The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material is the professional organisation for conservators in Australia.

Vision

The AICCM pursues a future in which the conservation and preservation of Australia’s shared cultural heritage is supported and sustained through strong professional conservation practice, government and industry investment, and through public engagement. Conservation expertise is in demand and readily available to those who seek it.

Our professional practice choices are sustainable—from environmental, financial and labour perspectives—as is our professional organisation. The AICCM community itself is diverse and embraces a multiplicity of materials, knowledge, skills and outcomes. Skills are exchanged between new, emerging and experienced conservators, and between conservators and communities.

The AICCM helps keepers of cultural heritage to navigate and manage the effects of climate change and natural disasters. We support First Nations peoples seeking to protect and sustain their cultural heritage. Conservation and preservation activity is outward-looking, participatory, and centered around people and community. Interconnectivity, partnerships and collaboration are the norm. We support a decentralised approach to conservation, respecting traditional modes of caring for cultural collections. The AICCM links the ‘when’ of conservation (deep time, present time, and carrying forward the present to the future) to a multiplicity of meanings and values. We foster an environment where conservation decisions are led by the meaning and value of objects, and are capable of incorporating multiple contexts.

Mission

The Australian Institute for Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) is a not-for-profit organisation concerned with the conservation and preservation of Australia’s tangible and intangible social, artistic, historical and scientific heritage—referred to here as cultural heritage.

We are committed to preserving Australia’s past and present material culture and heritage as a resource for present and future generations. Cultural heritage plays an essential role in developing and sustaining national, community, familial and personal identities.

Access to cultural heritage is vital for vibrant, rich and resilient societies. Items of cultural heritage act as agents of memory, inspiration, information, evidence and discovery, through which personal and collective stories are told through time. Cultural heritage is therefore inextricably linked to creative, living futures.

The AICCM is Australia’s primary professional association for experts in the conservation of cultural heritage. It acts as a support framework for members, providing opportunities for professional development, networking, and advocacy. The AICCM also acts as a resource and peak reference body for those seeking conservation and preservation expertise. It provides support for members through its National Council which provides centralised oversight of the organisation and a series of State Divisions which support the local membership and address local concerns.

Values

  • Participatory

  • Respect

  • Accountability
  • Commitment

  • Professionalism

  • Adaptable

Objectives

  • Advocacy

    Develop our voice on issues of importance.

  • Member Engagement

    Foster a community and support network for members.

  • Professional Discourse

    Facilitate and promote developments in conservation research and practice.

  • Community Engagement

    Broaden our connections and partnerships with cultural heritage keepers and communities.

  • Fundraising

    Increase the opportunities for our members to develop professionally, and to provide support for our community partners

  • Governance

    Continue to improve the sustainability of AICCM economically, environmentally and socially.

Vision

The AICCM pursues a future in which the conservation and preservation of Australia’s shared cultural heritage is supported and sustained through strong professional conservation practice, government and industry investment, and through public engagement. Conservation expertise is in demand and readily available to those who seek it.

Our professional practice choices are sustainable—from environmental, financial and labour perspectives—as is our professional organisation. The AICCM community itself is diverse and embraces a multiplicity of materials, knowledge, skills and outcomes. Skills are exchanged between new, emerging and experienced conservators, and between conservators and communities.

The AICCM helps keepers of cultural heritage to navigate and manage the effects of climate change and natural disasters. We support First Nations peoples seeking to protect and sustain their cultural heritage. Conservation and preservation activity is outward-looking, participatory, and centered around people and community. Interconnectivity, partnerships and collaboration are the norm. We support a decentralised approach to conservation, respecting traditional modes of caring for cultural collections. The AICCM links the ‘when’ of conservation (deep time, present time, and carrying forward the present to the future) to a multiplicity of meanings and values. We foster an environment where conservation decisions are led by the meaning and value of objects, and are capable of incorporating multiple contexts.

Mission

The Australian Institute for Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) is a not-for-profit organisation concerned with the conservation and preservation of Australia’s tangible and intangible social, artistic, historical and scientific heritage—referred to here as cultural heritage.

We are committed to preserving Australia’s past and present material culture and heritage as a resource for present and future generations. Cultural heritage plays an essential role in developing and sustaining national, community, familial and personal identities.

Access to cultural heritage is vital for vibrant, rich and resilient societies. Items of cultural heritage act as agents of memory, inspiration, information, evidence and discovery, through which personal and collective stories are told through time. Cultural heritage is therefore inextricably linked to creative, living futures.

The AICCM is Australia’s primary professional association for experts in the conservation of cultural heritage. It acts as a support framework for members, providing opportunities for professional development, networking, and advocacy. The AICCM also acts as a resource and peak reference body for those seeking conservation and preservation expertise. It provides support for members through its National Council which provides centralised oversight of the organisation and a series of State Divisions which support the local membership and address local concerns.

Values

  • Participatory

  • Respect

  • Accountability
  • Commitment

  • Professionalism

  • Adaptable

Objectives

  • Advocacy

    Develop our voice on issues of importance.

  • Member Engagement

    Foster a community and support network for members.

  • Professional Discourse

    Facilitate and promote developments in conservation research and practice.

  • Community Engagement

    Broaden our connections and partnerships with cultural heritage keepers and communities.

  • Fundraising

    Increase the opportunities for our members to develop professionally, and to provide support for our community partners

  • Governance

    Continue to improve the sustainability of AICCM economically, environmentally and socially.