Emergency Assistance for Cultural Collections in Haiti

FAIN: PW-50741-10

FAIC (Washington, DC 20005-1704)
Eric Pourchot (Project Director: March 2010 to January 2012)

The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC) is the national membership organization supporting the professionals who preserve our cultural heritage. FAIC has been working with the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives, and other federal agencies and professional organizations to plan and coordinate post-earthquake salvage and recovery of cultural heritage collections in Haiti, following the earthquake on January 12, 2010. FAIC is prepared to send teams of preservation professionals, trained in disaster response, to Haiti to recover damaged cultural heritage collections and to carry out conservation treatments, as necessary. The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield would provide logistical support and coordination with other international Blue Shield organizations and with military organizations in Haiti. FAIC has developed Collections Emergency Response Teams (AIC-CERT) that respond to the needs of cultural institutions during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors, and the public. To date, AIC-CERT members have provided assistance to U.S. cultural institutions following the Midwest floods of 2008 and Hurricane Ike, also in 2008. Sixteen members of AIC-CERT are prepared to travel to Haiti to offer assistance. A $30,000 NEH emergency grant would enable FAIC to begin sending AIC-CERT members to Haiti by supporting such costs as travel, subsistence, honoraria, supplies, and materials. The division's staff recognizes the substantial need in Haiti for preservation assistance and believes that FAIC, working with the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield and the Smithsonian Institution, is prepared for this challenging task.