The North American Textile Conservation Conference is an international forum to share research, theory and practice in the field of textile conservation. NATCC aims to improve the quality of textile conservation through discussion of current practices and research. It does this by organizing biennial conferences and publishing the papers presented there.
UPCOMING CONFERNCE
MENDING THREADS, FILLING GAPS: CONSERVATION NARRATIVES OF LOSS AND RENEWAL
15th Biennial North American Textile Conservation Conference
September 15-19, 2025
Banff, Alberta, Canada
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
We invite papers that explore the multifaceted challenges and innovative solutions in conservation practice. From replicating missing parts of textiles to filling gaps in perspective and historical knowledge, this conference delves into the art of conservation and revival, honoring what was lost and celebrating the resilience of heritage.
Subjects to be explored in papers can include but are not limited to:
Explore the myriad ways of compensating for loss, whether through traditional methods, technological innovation, or mounts. Showcase projects where the act of creating replicas enhances our understanding of historical practice.
Present case studies on how historical research or scientific analysis informs conservation decisions and practices, fills gaps in textile knowledge, and uncovers hidden stories.
Share experiences and methodologies for engaging with artists and communities to fill gaps in the contextual understanding of textiles. Explore the role of oral histories in enriching the narratives surrounding textile conservation.
What if loss—of stains, soiling, and non-original materials—is desirable? Explore cleaning methodologies and reversal of previous interventions and alterations.
What steps are conservators taking to reunite communities with their heritage and facilitate inclusion? Examine recent changes in legal regulations and explore their impact on conservation practices.
Whose voices are actively taken into consideration when it comes to displaying, treating, storing, and studying an object? Showcase moments where gaps between stakeholders or disparate groups were bridged to reach successful outcomes.
How are mentors or training programs navigating the evolving perspective of preserving cultural heritage to include emerging considerations such as sustainability and inclusivity? What new or complementary skills are being developed to foster critical thinking and engagement in textile conservation.
Conservators, curators, conservation scientists, art historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, collection managers, artists, preparators, and others engaged with these topics are invited to submit proposals for presentations. Collaborations among professions and especially institutions are encouraged. Projects already presented or published will not be considered and proposed projects must be completed by the end of 2024.
Abstracts for long or short format papers and posters must be submitted in English or Spanish as a Word document (no PDFs). Please indicate your preferred publication format. Abstracts must have a title, a maximum of 300 words, and be accompanied by a short author(s) biography (100 words maximum per author). Title, abstract, and biography should be included as a single document along with author(s) contact information. Contact information should include: name, postal and email addresses, telephone numbers. Abstracts should not include images or other attachments. Please include your surname in your abstract file label (e.g., SmithNATCC25.docx).
Abstracts must be submitted by Monday, July 1, 2024, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Please send a message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you do not receive prompt confirmation of abstract submittal.
Abstracts will be peer reviewed by the NATCC board. Authors of selected papers and posters will be notified by September 30, 2024. All speakers are required to submit the full publication-ready version of their paper in English or Spanish by February 3, 2025. Authors are responsible for obtaining rights and permissions to publish photographs and graphics.
Presentation formats will be 20 or 10 minutes for long and short format papers respectively. Short presentations can provide the opportunity to showcase emerging professionals or for sharing tips or potentially crowdsourcing solutions. The papers are published in their original language and distributed at the conference along with printed abstracts in English, Spanish, and French. Please email any questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A PDF version of the 2025 call for submissions is available here.
BANFF CENTRE
BANFF CENTRE
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Banff, Alberta, Canada
ABOUT THE BANFF CENTRE
Since 1933 the Banff Centre has been a learning organization for artistic and creative development. This global organization leads in arts, culture, and creativity across multiple disciplines, offering learning programs, conferences, events, theatre, comedy, art gallery, fitness center, dining, library, and archives. The town of Banff is situated in the Canadian Rocky Mountains approximately 130km/80 miles from Calgary (banffcentre.ca).
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NATCC must be considered as a mandatory reference for those of us dedicated to textile heritage. It is a forum that promotes exchange and updating through collective reflection.
