Art Conservation for the Midwest — Preserving What Matters
Welcome to ICA: Art Conservation with Heart
The Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA–Art Conservation) is the Midwest’s nonprofit home for art conservation and conservation, based in Cleveland, Ohio. From museum masterworks to family heirlooms, we care for paintings, works on paper, textiles, and objects so they can be shared today and tomorrow. While most of our work takes place across the Midwest, we proudly serve clients nationwide. If it’s important to you, it’s important to us—no matter its age, size, or market value.
What We Do
Conservation & Preservation
Treatments for paintings, works on paper, textiles, and objects to stabilize materials, address damage, and renew visual clarity.
Packing and transportation, installation, display and framing guidance, and collections care to protect artworks across changing environments.
Lab tours, hands-on workshops, and free webinars that share practical ways to care for cultural heritage at home and in the community.
For Museums, Community Collections & Families
We work with museums without in-house labs, libraries and universities, historical societies and halls of fame, small community organizations with a single significant item, and private collectors with meaningful pieces. Whether it’s a campus archive in Columbus, a local banner in Pittsburgh, or a portrait hanging in a family home in Cincinnati, our approach is welcoming, clear, and grounded in museum-level standards.
Rooted in the North Coast, Serving the Midwest and Beyond
As the region’s only nonprofit art conservation laboratory, we serve Ohio and the greater Great Lakes corridor—Cleveland,
Columbus,
Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and beyond—while also working with clients across the country. Our team provides on-site assessments when needed, coordinated transport, and clear communication every step of the way.
Join Our Mission –
Community Support Makes This Possible
Your support sustains conservation treatments, community workshops, and access for small institutions and individual stewards. Partner with ICA to help preserve the region’s shared heritage—and the personal stories that live within it.
Ready to Talk About Your Artwork?
Tell us what you have and what you’re hoping to achieve. Email connect@ica-artconservation.org or call 216-658-8700 to start a conversation about art conservation or preservation, or send photos for an initial review.
FAQ: Answers for Museums and Families Alike
What is art conservation and why does it matter?
Art conservation preserves artworks and cultural artifacts so they remain stable and meaningful over time. Treatments rely on science-based methods that respect original materials and intent.
How is art conservation different from art restoration?
Art restoration focuses on returning an item’s appearance, while conservation includes restoration plus preventive measures to slow deterioration. At ICA, both approaches are used when appropriate and documented for transparency.
Who does ICA Art Conservation work with?
Museums, libraries, universities, historical societies, halls of fame, small community groups with a single important item, private collectors, and families with sentimental pieces.
Do I need to be in Ohio to work with ICA?
No. While Cleveland is our home base and the majority of our projects are in the Midwest, we serve clients across the United States. Items can be delivered or shipped, and on-site assessments are available for large or delicate works.
How do I begin and what should I send?
Start by emailing photos, basic dimensions, materials (if known), and a brief description of the item’s condition. We’ll outline next steps, which typically include an examination, condition report, and treatment proposal.
Subscribe to Our Quarterly Newsletter
Newsletter
