In 2007, A Public Trust at Risk: The Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America's Collections revealed that "190 million objects need conservation treatment, 65 percent of collecting institutions have damaged collections due to improper storage, 80 percent of collecting institutions lack an emergency plan for their collections and 40 percent of institutions have no funds allocated in their annual budget for preservation and conservation."

To address these staggering statistics, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) created a strategic initiative to address the challenges discovered in this heritage preservation study.

To find out more about how to care for your collections, where to find a qualified conservation expert or to volunteer to help in your community to help save America's collections visit these important resources: 

• https://www.aamg-us.org/wp/best-practices/
• Institute of Museum and Library Services
• American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
• Heritage Preservation:  National Institute of Conservation
• Michigan Alliance for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage

 The care and preservation of works in the Wayne State University Art Collection is of great importance and we take very seriously the trust we hold in seeing that the art in our care will be shepherded safely into the future. 

In 2008/2009 a project supported through a grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan made possible a conservation assessment of all 28 of the public sculptures on campus and the restoration of 17 sculptures which were identified through the assessment as most urgently in need of repair. The task of caring for the entire University Art Collection is ongoing and the costs associated with hiring professional and qualified conservation teams is significant.  To contribute to conservation efforts for the University Art Collection, please donate here (please be sure to select University Art Collection as your gifts designation).