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Conservator
Conservators document, restore, and preserve cultural property (artistic and cultural artifacts). They are educated in conservation and restoration techniques and abide by a code of ethics, such as the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. Conservators analyze and assess the condition of cultural property, understand processes and evidence of deterioration, plan collections care or site management strategies that prevent damage, carry out conservation treatments, and conduct research (Careers in Conservation, 2014). Some conservators are generalists, which means they apply conservation techniques to a range of objects (Johnston, 2013). Some conservators specialize in a particular material or group of objects, such as archaeology, ceramics and glass, furniture and wood, gilding and decorative surfaces, historic interiors, metals, paintings, paper and books, photographic materials, stained glass, stone and wall paintings, textiles, sculptures, and architecture (Johnston, 2013; Careers in Conservation, 2014).
Education and Training
Conservators can receive training through apprenticeships, internships and graduate programs. In order to be accepted into a graduate program, they will need to fulfill some undergraduate prerequisites. This includes undergraduate coursework in science, the humanities (art history, anthropology, and archaeology), and studio art (Careers in Conservation, 2014). Some graduate programs may also require internship, volunteer, apprenticeship, or paid conservation experience (Careers in Conservation, 2014). Many may also require a personal interview where candidates are asked to present a portfolio of art and conservation project work that demonstrates manual dexterity and familiarity with techniques and materials (Careers in Conservation, 2014). Graduate programs generally require two to four years of study, which can also include a full-time internship in the final year where students work under the guidance of experienced conservators (Careers in Conservation, 2014). There are also a limited number of Ph.D. programs for advanced study in conservation (Careers in Conservation, 2014).
Career Options
Conservators work in a variety of environments including museums, regional facilities, heritage institutions, libraries, universities, archives, laboratories, government agencies, and private conservation enterprises (Careers in Conservation, 2014). Job titles can include conservator, conservation administrator, conservation educator, conservation scientist, conservation technician, and collections care/preservation specialist (Careers in Conservation, 2014).
External Links
What does a Museum Conservator do?
O-NET OnLine Summary Report for Museum Technicians and Conservators
Wikipedia Conservator-Restorer
International Council of Museums - Committee for Conservation
Canadian Association for Conservation of Cultural Property
References
Careers in Conservation. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.conservation-us.org/publications-resources/careers-in-conservation/become-a-conservator#.VPPIxMaLTwN
Code of Ethics. (2014. Retrieved from http://www.conservation-us.org/about-us/core-documents/code-of-ethics#.VPPYCsaLTwM
Guidelines for Practice. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.conservation-us.org/about-us/core-documents/guidelines-for-practice#.VPPYF8aLTwM
Johnston, Lucie. (2013). Museum/gallery conservator job description. Retrieved from http://www.prospects.ac.uk/museum_gallery_conservator_job_description.htm