International Course on the Conservation of Modern Heritage

The International Course on the Conservation of Modern Heritage (MAC) advances the conservation of modern heritage, landscapes, and architecture by providing participants with methodological and practical tools through lectures, discussions, exercises, demonstrations, site visits, and field projects. Participants will learn about advances in research and practice that have influenced approaches to modern heritage conservation. This course also provides a platform for participants and instructors to share experiences, challenges, and outcomes of their work in a supportive and engaged environment.

Dates and application information for the 2027 course will be available in spring 2026. To be notified when applications open, email the Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative to be added to the training mailing list.

The 2027 International Course on the Conservation of Modern Heritage (MAC27) will be a blended format educational course composed of 9 modules delivered online followed by two weeks in person in Los Angeles. The teaching team is composed of Getty Conservation Institute staff and an international team of experts, all recognized heritage conservation professionals with extensive experience in modern heritage conservation. Their lectures represent various perspectives and diverse geographic regions.

The course covers a broad range of contemporary issues that professionals face in the conservation of modern heritage, from theoretical and methodological issues to the technical aspects of materials conservation.

Topics

• Introduction to Conservation of Modern Heritage
• Values-Based Approaches in Practice
• Broadening an Understanding of Modern Heritage
• Upgrading and Adapting Modern Heritage
• Resilience and Sustainability
• Modern Landscapes and Settings
• Materials and Technical Challenges
• Advocacy for Modern Heritage

Structure

The program starts with an overview of the evolution of modern heritage conservation, the key challenges faced by the field, and the ways international organizations address them. The course will then focus on broadening participants' understanding of the heritage of modernity by looking at both buildings and landscapes. Using the thematic approach in this course will expand the identification of modern heritage places.

Next, the course will present the values-based approach to conservation management and practical conservation and planning tools to guide practice. It will also examine the issues of resilience and environmental sustainability, the upgrading and adaptation of modern heritage, and technical aspects of conserving commonly used modern materials. The course will highlight the important role of advocacy, its strategic objectives, and its application to the conservation of modern architecture.

The first iteration of the International Course on the Conservation of Modern Heritage comprised nine, virtual instructional modules between May and July 2023. Following a brief break, participants convened in early August 2023 in Los Angeles for two weeks of intensive coursework to synthesize and apply the knowledge gained during the remote sessions through lectures, learning exercises, discussions, site visits, and work on local case studies.

The course ran for a second iteration in 2025, with eleven modules spread between March and June 2025, and two weeks in person in Los Angeles in late July 2025. Both iterations of the course had 26 international participants.

Thus far, MAC has trained professionals from or working in the following countries: Albania, Australia (4), Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina (2), Brazil (3), Canada (2), Chile (2), Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, India (2), Ireland, Kosovo (2), Kuwait (2), Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Nigeria (3), North Macedonia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore (3), Spain, United Kingdom (2), United Arab Emirates, United States (4), and Uruguay.

Questions and inquiries about the International Course on the Conservation of Modern Heritage should be emailed to the Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative with the subject line: MAC Course Inquiry.