Our work

As of 2022, Icon has approximately 2,300 members, including 700 Accredited Conservator-Restorers. Conservators, restorers and heritage scientists work in many different settings:

• public sector e.g. national museums, archives, and libraries
• private sector - where one third are self employed and more than half work in microbusinesses (<10 employees)
• third sector e.g. small museums and heritage attractions
• academic sector e.g. university departments

These members participate in 16 Special Interest Groups and 8 Networks and while most work across the UK, our international influence is expanding - with 17.5% of our membership located abroad.

Icon's Special Interest Groups support the development of the conservation profession and provide valuable learning and networking opportunities for Icon members.

Joining an Icon Group is one of the benefits of being an Icon Member. Each Group is dedicated to a different branch of the profession and has a committee which organises events, training and networking opportunities. Group membership brings you into contact with others who share your interests and offers a hands-on role in working for your profession. Icon Members are invited to sign up to two Groups of their choice, but they can attend any event organised by other Groups. 

Icon’s Networks provide the means for members to come together to consider cross-disciplinary topics, or to progress short-term or long-term objectives focusing on issues. There are currently eight Icon networks:

• Contemporary Art Network
• Conservation Higher Education Institutions Network
• Documentation Network
• Dynamic Objects Network
• Emerging Professionals Network
• Sustainability Network
• Modern Materials Network
• Northern Ireland Network

We’re all about creating positive change:

How do we achieve this?

• Policy responses, meetings, briefings, letters, reports, factsheets, newsletters to increase awareness and encourage a favorable regulatory and funding environment
• Stakeholder maps, working groups, collective papers, partnerships, collaborations to generate more engagement and better advocacy and create a more widespread understanding and appreciation
• Policy Advisory Panel, research reports, case studies, newsletters, news stories to rally greater support for a higher quality of practice

Over the years, over 180 emerging conservators have kickstarted their careers in conservation through an Icon Internship.

Our internships offer an invaluable opportunity for interns to develop their careers, engage with professional networks and develop practical knowledge.

Since 2017, Icon has played a leading role in the development of Apprenticeship Standards for the profession. Icon convened and supported a representative employer group to design programmes that matched real job roles and skills requirements. In 2019, the Institute of Apprenticeships approved the Cultural Heritage Conservation Technician and Conservator Apprenticeships.

Find out more about our internship programme and work on apprenticeships.