Additional Information
Conservation requires broad knowledge in both the sciences and the humanities.
You'll have to develop your artistic skills and start working with your hands
to develop the patience and ability to carry out precise work.
Until 1960, art conservators were largely trained through apprenticeship.
They'd work beside a master and learn what they knew about the field. These
days, apprenticeship training is very rare. Most art conservators learn their
skills during two- to four-year postgraduate programs.
Getting into these programs is competitive. There are only three conservation
and restoration postgraduate programs offered in the U.S.
The programs look for students with a strong background in both studio
art and science. "They need to be testing hand skills and their science and
math skills," says Joyce Hill Stoner, the director of the conservation program
at the University of Delaware.
What can you do to improve your chances of getting in? "Paint, paint, paint.
Sculpt, sculpt, sculpt," says Stoner. She also recommends saving the work
that displays your best hand skills to show during interviews.
"People often give their best pieces away. Then they are in the interview
with nothing to show."
A studio background is helpful, says Barbara Keyser, an art conservation
instructor. "They need to be familiar already with art materials," she says.
A knowledge of photography and computer skills are also an asset. Keyser says
computer skills are important too, since software programs are being used
in restoration work.
You may also want to consider volunteering in an art gallery or museum.
Keyser says it will give you a practical introduction to art conservation
and restoration work and help you decide whether you really like it.
"It's not always exciting," warns Keyser. "A person has to be able to take
a little tedium."