Museum Conservator Is A Very Lucrative Career

In-house art collections stay at particular museum for extended periods of time.  You could go through the same museum and view the pieces year after year and still find them in perfect condition.  How do art collections stay unblemished and in excellent form?  It is all due to the work of the museum conservator.  This is a coveted profession in 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.

These professionals are equipped with a diverse education in anthropology, archaeology, and art history.  Art education is an important and practical resource for conducting research assignments and interpreting scientific analysis for the purpose of identifying artistic and historic methods originally used on the artifact.  Knowledge of art also helps to assess the effectiveness of the materials, fabrics, and procedures used during the conservation process.

Science is essential to becoming a successful museum conservator.  Art Conservators should have a firm foundation of general and organic chemistry.   Without the science background, they would be unable to determine the biological, chemical, and physical factors that cause works of art to deteriorate.  A solid background in science helps with creating a treatment plan and restoring damaged objects to their previous or assumed appearances.

Typically, museum conservators have their areas of specialty; these are segmented by material or group of objects.  Some conservators work only with artifacts from a particular group like architecture, natural science, or archaeology, while others deal with individual pieces such as photographs, sculptures, books, paintings, or textiles. 

Conservators are not only needed in museums, but they also have opportunities available to them from libraries, universities, heritage institutions, government agencies, and private conservation enterprises.

Museum conservators used to be an apprenticeship education program.  Today, the graduate program is the more recognized route into the profession.  A graduate program typically requires two-four years of study.  Prerequisite courses in chemistry, humanities, and studio art may be required before entering a museum conservator graduate program.  As all degree programs vary, check with your university for detailed graduate program requirements.

Professional experience is a big plus for entry into graduate school.  Candidates are strongly encouraged to get experience through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteer work.  All of these learning experiences qualify as professional experience.  Collection care projects such as collection assessments, re-housing, and exhibition work should be noted on a graduate application as well as assignments involving examination and treatment of individual artifacts.

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