Would You Like to Make a Career Out of Conservation?
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It might seem surprising that you can obtain a degree in the field of
conservation, but it is true! So here are some details that might come
in useful if you are interested.
What do you learn in “Conservation”?
By the time you finish the course, you will have complete scientific
and technical knowledge concerning materials and their chemistry; and
how and why deterioration occurs. Your perception and sense of aesthetic
beauty will definitely become keener than before. Finally, there is the
ethical perspective to conservation that you will learn about.
What does a Graduate Program in Conservation offer?
Your entry into the program is dependent on the academic prerequisites
that you hold—chemistry, studio art, or humanities (anthropology, archaeology,
art history, and architecture). Universities will provide all the details
concerning these prerequisites, application procedures, and program curriculum.
You will impress your personal interviewer if you come prepared with a
portfolio of a previously-handled art and conservation project work. You
have now provided proof of your familiarity with the arena of conservation
and your manual dexterity.
It will take you around two to four years to graduate. You will also
benefit with fieldwork or undergraduate introductory internship, since
you will gain hands-on experience. There are regional, institutional,
and private conservation laboratories to help out.
Do you need to depend only on a graduate degree to enter this field?
No, you can go in for an apprenticeship (after all, this was the method
of training earlier before degrees stepped in). Here, you will be offered
an in-depth training. It is to be understood that the time frame will
stretch longer than for a degree, since you will have to read, research,
and complete course work. Either you go in for a traditional apprenticeship
or complete a series of apprenticeships till you are completely confident.
Once you are through, you will need to gain experience via internship.
Yours will be a pre-program internship; if you were in a degree course,
it would be a graduate internship.
Can you go in for further advanced studies in this field?
You can obtain a Master’s degree in historic preservation or conservation
or any related discipline along with a diploma or a certificate in conservation.
North American Universities offer education programs in the conservation
of cultural property. You are advised to reside on the campus for around
four to six semesters, and participate in summer internships or final-year,
full-time internships. Professionals will be your guides.
Are Fellowships available for post-graduates?
Yes, they are. They permit intensive research, and access to brilliant
experts and significant collections. In fact, if you are a keen supporter
of conservation, you can sign up as an Institutional member or Associate
of AIC. They have a website.
What about Ph.D. programs?
At present, they are few in number.
Is it possible to study abroad?
There are degree programs, apprenticeships, and internships available
everywhere. The list is available with ICON and ICCROM.
Are there specializations offered in this field?
There are plenty—textiles, books, paintings, electronic media, photographs,
sculpture, architecture, decorative arts, art on paper, archaeology, natural
science, archives, built environments, and ethnographic materials.
What kinds of careers are available?
You can become a conservation educator, conservation administrator, conservation
scientist, conservation technician, or a preservation specialist. Your
work environments can include universities, museums, laboratories, libraries,
heritage institutions, archives, regional facilities, private conservation
agencies, and government agencies.
Despite all the knowledge and training that you receive, you will stand
head and shoulders above the crowd only when you are in constant touch
with advancing technology. Read all recent publications, sign up for short-term
courses and workshops from time to time, and attend professional meetings.
Your contribution can also add value, always remember that!
