Preserving the art and heritage
that defines us
Art Preservation Fund provides funding and access to conservation expertise for cultural institutions and collections across the United States.
Preservation funding in the United States is increasingly constrained, fragmented, and politically vulnerable. Conservation service providers face aging infrastructure and funding models that no longer reflect current realities — and the collections and communities that depend on them are feeling the consequences.
Across the country, small and mid-sized museums, archives, libraries, and community organizations are stewards of irreplaceable collections that are often invisible to the major funding streams flowing to larger institutions. These are precisely the collections Art Preservation Fund seeks to serve: those that document local histories, tell the stories of artists and communities across the country, and form the richest, most distinctive parts of our shared cultural record.
Yet this is also a moment of real opportunity. As the country marks its 250th anniversary and grapples with questions of memory and meaning, a new generation of donors, advocates, and cultural practitioners is ready to engage with preservation in fresh ways. In an era defined by contested media, digital manipulation, and declining trust in information, physical cultural objects matter more than ever. They are material witnesses and human achievements that no virtualization can replace. Art Preservation Fund is designed to meet this moment: connecting supporters with the tangible, meaningful work of conservation, and building a broader constituency for cultural heritage, one collection and one community at a time.
A critical moment for American cultural heritage
WHY NOW
OUR APPROACH
01 - Grantmaking
APF provides grants to 501(c)(3) institutions with demonstrated need to address the condition, display, and accessibility of items with artistic, cultural, or historical significance. Grantmaking prioritizes collections that have been underserved by existing funding opportunities.
Direct funding for conservation projects
02 - Fundraising & Sustainability
We cultivate individual donors, institutional partners, and philanthropic foundations and engage them as stakeholders in the cause. A broader, more diverse base of support means greater impact for collections across the country.
Growing the conservation constituency
03 - Public Engagement
Through educational materials, lectures, workshops, and exhibitions — delivered in person, online, and through institutional partnerships — we build public understanding of why conservation matters and who it serves.
Making preservation visible
04 - Field Connectivity
We serve as a connective platform, linking institutions in need with conservators in private practice, regional centers, and specialized professionals. Whether or not a grant is awarded, APF helps collections find the right expertise and resources.
Connecting collections with expertise
Be part of building something new for preservation.
We are raising a $250,000 demonstration fund in our first year with the goal of proving that a dedicated national fund for art preservation is not only needed, but possible. Early supporters make that case, amplifying storytelling and providing data-driven insights to additional donors and investors.