Art conservation courses are available through degree programs, workshops, and seminars. The field requires knowledge of art history, science, and archaeology, as well as federal regulations. Conservationists focus on preserving works of art with minimal intervention, and continuing education is necessary to stay current on new technologies and knowledge.
Art conservation courses may be offered as part of an art conservation degree program, or there are workshops, seminars and conferences available to educate those in other career fields who have an interest in art conservation. The art conservation courses required to prepare for a career as an art conservator span a wide range of disciplines such as art history, science and archaeology. As an art conservator progresses in his or her career, short continuing education courses can help keep knowledge current. For mid-career non-conservation professionals who want to increase their conservation knowledge, a seminar, workshop or even a distance learning course can cover basic concepts of art preservation or historic preservation, including federal regulations.
The field of art conservation involves preserving a work of art with minimal intervention. Although some art conservators perform art restoration work, which involves repairing existing damage, the primary focus of art conservation is to preserve and protect a work of art from further deterioration or degradation. This requires a solid background in preservation techniques; knowledge of art history, archeology and architecture; as well as proficiency in chemistry and other sciences. Any conservator, restorer or preservationist should be familiar with a country’s federal regulations governing how historic objects and works of art are handled.
For an aspiring art conservation specialist, a college graduate program should contain all of the art conservation courses needed to start a career in conservation and historic preservation. A student can take art conservation courses that teach the preservation of various materials or how artists’ techniques have changed throughout history. At the other end of the spectrum, the student will also need an in-depth knowledge of materials science and organic and inorganic chemistry to understand how to best preserve works of art and monuments. In addition, knowledge of anthropology and cultures helps art conservationists consider conservation issues in context within a specific historical era. Learning about art materials and techniques used by a society at a time is helpful in deciding how to preserve an object’s condition.
While most conservation and restoration techniques are best left to professionals who have had years of training and experience, there are seminars available on specific conservation issues or that teach non-conservationists how to properly display, store and handle works of art. These art conservation courses are held regularly by conservation and preservation societies and museums and range from several hours to a week or more. Many of them focus on preserving specific types of materials.
Finally, professional art conservators often take continuing education classes to stay current on new technologies and knowledge in the field. Some can take advantage of scholarships to get more advanced training. These grants can help increase skills in specific areas of conservation that might otherwise not be available in regular employment.
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