1st International CAMA conference: „Archives of Artists’ Materials: Access, Preservation, Research“

SAVE THE DATE: 1st International CAMA Conference, 15–17 September 2027

The Consortium for the Research of Artists’ Materials Archives (CAMA) hereby announces the 1st International CAMA Conference, to be held from 15–17 September 2027, at the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design.

This important public meeting marks the completion of a three-year scientific network grant funded by the German Research Foundation (2024–2027, DFG Project number 537724692).

This meeting will facilitate knowledge exchange and highlight the potential of archives of artists’ material manufacturers and related collections from multiple perspectives. Bringing together conservation scientists, conservators, archivists, information specialists, artists, museologists, historians, and industry partners, this 3-day conference provides an overview of the outcomes of the ongoing CAMA networking initiative, including related partner research activities.

Offering rich opportunities for future, multi-perspective research into the history of artists‘ material production during the industrial era (c. 1750 to the present day), the archives of artists’ material manufacturers contain unique resources documenting the production of art materials, including formulation books, material sample collections, product catalogues, correspondence and technical documentation. These collections are crucial for understanding the context, materiality and degradation processes of modern and contemporary painted art works, as well as for addressing questions around conservation, provenance, dating, and authenticity. For the first time, the cross-archival nature of CAMA closes a significant research gap, providing an extremely valuable resource for multi-perspective, international research.

The conference focuses on the exchange of transdisciplinary knowledge and best practices in the creation of such archives, the documentation and preservation of their contents, and of providing access to and conducting research into these rich collections. This includes corporate heritage, where manufacturers and researchers alike, build sustainable, long-term public-industry collaborations.

The programme includes thematic oral presentations, a poster session, workshops, and guided tours. Papers from presentations and abstracts of the posters will be published as post prints in a special issue of ArtMatters International Journal for Technical Art History (peer-reviewed, open access).

A call for contributions and further information on registration will be distributed in January 2027 via this website and professional networks.

For any queries about the conference, please contact: cama.conference@abk-stuttgart.de

Further information about CAMA, its partner institutions and previous CAMA meetings are available at the ABK Website and the CICS Website.