FAIC announces TruVue Optium Conservation Grants

Tru Vue® Inc. has partnered with the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC) to offer grants to support projects in glazing applications for preservation of museum and library collections.  Funds are to help defray direct project costs, including supplies and publicity.  Projects must be supported by a conservator and demonstrate conservation goals.

Up to four awards will be made each year.  Each award includes a cash amount of up to $4,000 and donated Tru Vue® Optium® acrylic glazing materials.

To be eligible, the applicant must be a not-for-profit collecting institution (museum or library) with active exhibition programs and located in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territories. The institution must have at least one full-time conservator on staff, or a conservator who will be on contract for the project.  Projects should be completed within 12 months of the award date.

The deadline for receipt of all materials is May 1 and November 1 of each year.  Electronic submissions are encouraged but not required.  Awards are made mid-June and mid-December.

Guidelines and forms are available online at the AIC/FAIC website,  and

TruVue, or by calling the FAIC office at 202-452-9545. 

Please check out a new addition to our website, the Bargain Corner where you can find great deals on extra product, materials, tools or supplies that we we can't use or don't need anymore. Bookmark it!

SmallCorp will be exhibiting at the AIC annual meeting in Philadelphia,  May 31 to June 3.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

The focus of the meeting is to examine how ethics, logic and perception guide conservation issues.  Environmental sustainability, economic drivers, art as entertainment, the use of cultural heritage, and public access concerns are changing the practice of conservation.  Do the core values still hold?

We expect to learn a lot and hope to see you there. Stop by and visit us at Booth 14-15.

We keep a variety of clear and UV-filtering acrylic in stock, both extruded and cell-cast. Currently, we have the following over-size materials available:

.177" x 91" x 150" Clear FF

.220" x 108" x 192" Clear Lucite

.236" x 75" x 126" OP2 UV

.236" x 75" x 120" Clear Cast

Next Issue

In the May issue we'll feature our latest developments in LED-lighted cases, including motion sensors, battery-powered lighting, and case retrofit options.  If you think you have something to contribute, let me know.

Historic Oil Lamp retrofitted with LEDs