| Dear SAA members,
We are now accepting applications for our summer 2026 field school in Italy, hosted by Amelia International Conservation Studies (AICS). Our deadline for applications is March 1, 2026.
With over two decades of expertise and a global alumni network from over 200 colleges and universities, AICS is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage.
During this immersive program, students will have the unique opportunity to study and travel in Italy, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in restoration and conservation.
Our courses are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the science, ethics, and practical skills necessary for art conservation and historic preservation.
Program Details:
(Program includes lectures and painting workshop)
- Surveying Methods in Architecture: From Measuring Tape to Laser Scanning
- History of Architecture: Types and Techniques
(Program includes lectures and field projects*)
- History and the making of early bookbinding structures
- Conservation and preservation of books
(Program includes lectures and restoration field projects*)
*Field Projects:
· Historic Archives of the Municipality of Amelia: A unique opportunity for students to study and conserve archival documents, promoting an understanding of historical data preservation.
· Restoration and conservation of artifacts from the Archaeological Museum of Amelia. Additionally, we have signed an agreement with the Special Superintendency of Rome to restore amphorae from the Roman Forum and Colosseum.
· In the courtyard of Amelia's Town Hall, there is a small open-air Lapidarium that houses a collection of significant architectural artifacts. These relics serve as a testament to the rich history of Roman Amerίa, as well as the medieval and Renaissance periods. The collection includes columns, architraves, sarcophagi, and various other structures crafted from exquisite marbles imported from colonies across the Mediterranean Sea. These artifacts showcase various alterations and past restorations, providing students with vital hands-on experience to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom.
· Participants of the Painted Surfaces Program will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills and to understand the unique opportunity to work on a historically significant site, at the 13th-century cloister of San Francisco church in Amelia. The cloister, built in 1287 A.D., provides an exceptional example of fresco and secco paintings from the medieval period. · Participants of the Sketching, Surveying and Analyzing Historical Buildings Program will be involved in the analysis and documentation of historic buildings in the medieval core of Amelia.
AICS is a program of the Art Restoration and Conservation International Field School, based in Amelia, Italy. We have established cooperation agreements with the Municipality of Amelia to study and conserve artworks and archaeological objects held in their museums, as well as a collaboration with the Historic Archives of the Comune di Amelia for AICS participants to study and conserve archival documents.
Since June 2024, we have enjoyed a significant cooperation with the Accademia di Belle Arti in Naples, and more recently, we established a new academic agreement with the prestigious and internationally renowned Accademia di Brera in Milan in April 2025. These agreements further expand our reach and commitment to excellence in conservation education.
Our program is not just for art historians or preservationists. We encourage students from architecture, archaeology, library science, chemistry, museum studies, classics, anthropology, and related fields to apply, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of art conservation and historic preservation.
Our courses are open to students from various disciplines, both undergraduate and graduate, to join us for this incredible learning experience. All lessons are taught in English.
If you know any students, scholars, or others interested in this type of study, please inform them about our program. We would appreciate it if you could list our program on your organization's website as an available educational resource.
For further information, including application deadlines and requirements, please visit our website at Art Restoration and Conservation International Field School
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to welcoming your students to our summer field school in Italy.
Best regards,
Sotirios Kourtesis
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