UPDATE:
We are thrilled to share that our Annual Campaign is close to reaching its goal! We need your help to get to the finish line. To give us an extra push, our generous donor has extended their offer to match all donations until the end of January! Between now and the end of the month, your gift will be matched 1:1 to help us unlock the entire $45,000 match!
We’re only $10,000 away!!
Help us get to the home stretch and we’ll be able to purchase our upgraded digital X-Ray system in time for our new collections care workshops this year!
For BACC's annual end of year campaign we are trying to unlock $45,000 in matching funds necessary to purchase a brand new digital X-ray system, replacing our outdated analog system. This updated equipment is necessary as we seek to advance the study and preservation of cultural heritage of ALL communities, demystify the field of art conservation, highlight the fascinating intersections of art and science, and offer art collectors, institutional caretakers, and cultural materials access to the tools and resources necessary to explore the region’s cultural collections.
Starting today, your gift of ANY SIZE will be matched 1:1, helping us to reach our goal to purchase this new, state of the art equipment.
What is an X-Ray and what is it used for?
Just how X-rays are necessary in the examination of broken and sprained bones or revealing cavities in your teeth, X-radiography is essential to understanding the structure, manufacture, and history of artworks and artifacts. X-Ray technology has been used to reveal hidden paintings, overpainted elements, support structures and condition concerns. It can also be used to examine textiles and objects as BACC expands its service into these areas.
Why does BACC need a new X-Ray system?
BACC’s current X-Ray is an analog system that has been with us for over 40 years - and requires film to be processed in a dark room!! That’s right, most of us can’t recall the last time we purchased a roll of film to capture life’s moments - but our current system requires us to secure film for its use. The almost obsolete film can run upwards of $800 a box and is in VERY limited supply. This means that even at its optimal use, BACC’s current X-radiography system is inaccessible to most collections and individuals due to the high material cost and supply scarcity. While it was once a feature of our imaging equipment in the BACC labs, our Analog X-Ray can no longer meet the demands of our organization's growing audience and our region's needs.
The investment in a digital X-Ray system would be more environmentally sustainable, significantly more time efficient, less expensive for BACC and its clients, and therefore exponentially more accessible than the current analog system. New equipment also enables technical analysis of artwork, including X-radiography, to be incorporated into BACC’s tours and ongoing workforce development.
How will a new X-Ray help BACC fulfill its mission?
BACC is the only resource for this type of technical analysis within the western region. While large museums have their own analytical equipment, it is inaccessible to smaller institutions, community collections, and private clients. BACC is the only nonprofit organization in the entire San Diego region that has cultural heritage analysis equipment and thus the unique opportunity and responsibility to make these services and the knowledge they can reveal accessible to a broader and more diverse group of collections and individuals. This is only possible by upgrading our outdated instrument, and we appreciate your support in this effort!
We are so thankful for the amazing support we have already received on this project from our individual donors and foundations alike! BACC has already been able to make significant upgrades to our Lab over the past year. Help us to the finish line, by donating today!