Museums are known to house art pieces for extended periods of time (years). So, you could trek through the same museum for years, and the same pieces will be in flawless condition. Have you ever wondered who keeps the masterpieces in top-notch form? That person is the museum conservator. This coveted professional is an important part of the art world.
Museum conservators are tasked with the long-term preservation and maintenance of cultural artifacts. Special techniques and processes are implemented to achieve preservation goals. Conservators must assess the condition of the artifact, identify evidence of corrosion, apply conservation treatments, and work to prevent further damage.
Museum conservators should have a broad-based education in art history, anthropology, and archaeology. This background is essential for conducting research and carrying out scientific analysis in order to identify historic and artistic methods originally used on the artifact and to evaluate the effectiveness of the fabric, materials, and procedures that are used during the conservation process.
Along with art education, these experts should have a solid foundation of science education, general and organic chemistry in particular. Conservators need good science skills in order to determine the physical, chemical, and biological factors that cause works of art to lose their luster. Science also aids the conservator in creating a restoration treatment plan that will restore a damaged object to look like it once did.
Conservators typically specialize in a particular material or group of objects. Some work only with paintings, textiles, books, photographs, and sculptures. There are others who deal only with artifacts from a particular group like natural science, archaeology, or architecture. Museum Conservators are not just limited to the museum environment. Those of this nature work in a variety of environments including heritage institutions, libraries, universities, government agencies, and private conservation enterprises.
Before the establishment of graduate degree programs in conservation, apprenticeships were the primary method of training; however, nowadays, the graduate program is the preferred and recognized method of education for entry into this field. A graduate program can take anywhere from two to four years to complete, and chemistry, humanities, and studio art are typically prerequisite courses for entry into a graduate program. Check with the university of your choice for specific entry requirements.
Before entering a graduate degree program, students are strongly encouraged to get professional conservator experience by way of volunteer work, apprenticeships, or internships. It may be difficult to get into a graduate program without previous learning experience. Be sure to note collection care projects such as re-housing, exhibition, and collection assessments on your application. In addition, include any projects that involved examining and treating individual artifacts.
A museum conservator holds a very important job. These individuals are tasked with keeping museums and other art facilities packed with precious art for the world to see. So coveted is the position that only a small percentage of people can truly master it. Only three U.S. education institutions offer graduate degree programs in this field. If you have an art background and are looking for a specialization for your master degree, research conservator degree programs, as well as online education, on the worldwide web.
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