UBB.threads Forums General Interest Restoration, Conservation, and Maintenance Forum School Training in Preservation

Where can you go to become school trained in preservation ? I noticed that one of the forum moderators is school trained and now that I'm retired I think that has become something I would like to do.

Dear Mike,

The subject/profession is titled "Conservation".It is not a commonly found course, but many Universities with strong art programs and even some technical schools offer it. Study of this subject is more common now than it was perhaps 20 years ago.

There are various degreees, with a masters the most desirable. Some schools offer "layman" courses for the Historian or Curator. If you contact your local Museum, they might be able to tell you of nearby schools or colleges offering the subject.

As a profession, it is excellent. There are many vacant openings in both the public and private sector. A friend of mine works for a large Bank corporation as the conservator for their artworks collection.

A fellow collector I know has a daughter who is currently studying for a degree in conservation. She will graduate in 2008 and already has had two job offers.

Make no mistake, this subject is not for everyone. It is a very slow moving and often unglamourous line of work. It requires much patience and the willingness to spend many hours alone in deep concentration of the work being performed.

Cheers,

Mr Casino: Thanks for the insight - Monday I'm off to the major art museum in my area, in the hope that they can guide me. Are there any books out there that you would recommend ? Books on blades, wooden grips, etc ?

Dear Mike,

The technical library service in New York does offer some generalized conservation books.

The online site is talasonline.com

Regards,