Canadian Conservation Institute

Abstract

The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2012. As an agency of the Department of Canadian Heritage, CCI has a mandate to serve heritage institutions in every region of Canada, preserving the objects and collections that are evidence of the history of Canada. The work of the Institute over the years is a reflection of Canada's people, cultural heritage, geography and environment. This article describes how CCI's work in conservation science, treatment and preventive conservation have evolved as the needs of Canadian museums and archives, and their collections, have changed. A recent independent evaluation of CCI found that the Institute has a unique organizational model that brings economies of scale to the preservation of Canada's heritage, and that CCI meets the needs of its clients in Canada through expert services, training, information and advice.