Museum/Art Gallery Conservator

Also known as:

Art Gallery/Museum Conservator
Conservator, Museum/Art Gallery
Restorer

Introduction

Museum/art gallery conservators preserve works of art and historic objects to protect them from decay. They normally conserve one type of object or material such as ceramics, textiles, furniture or paintings. They combine craft techniques and scientific principles to treat the objects in their care.

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Work Activities

Museum/art gallery conservators preserve works of art and historic objects to protect them from decay. They normally specialise in the conservation of one type of object or material such as paper, textiles, furniture, paintings, ceramics or metal. Others may specialise in archaeological, geological or natural history specimens. However, some conservators have broader duties and work with a wide range of objects.

Conservation work is both art and science. Conservators check that objects are genuine and put a date to them. They then combine craft techniques and scientific principles to treat the object. Treatments are reversible where possible, as new methods may replace previous work. Therefore, it is vital that the conservator keeps detailed records of what they do during the conservation process.

Conservators aim to restore the original look of an object. They need to inspect any previous restoration work carefully. They may have to undo previous damage before starting new work.

Conservators also monitor and control the conditions in which objects are kept. To do this, they use their knowledge of physical and chemical properties of objects, and their reaction to light, temperature and humidity. They advise other museum staff on the correct handling and storing of objects. Senior conservators research new materials and methods. They also supervise junior conservators.

Conservators may show groups from schools, colleges and societies round the museum or gallery and explain the exhibits. They may also give talks and make presentations to a variety of different audiences. They liaise closely with museum and gallery curators and other colleagues.

They may need to travel locally and nationally to supervise collections and exhibitions and advise on the safe handling of the artefacts.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must have the appropriate scientific and technical knowledge underpinning a range of conservation techniques.

However, for this work, you also need good practical skills and colour vision, as conservators often work with delicate materials, on tiny details of an object.

In addition, you should have an enquiring mind, and you need patience and concentration and the ability to demonstrate attention to detail, as you may work for a long time on one particular object.

You must appreciate the responsibilities involved in the work and also be aware of the relevant health and safety issues and regulations.

You should have good communication skills in order to explain complex scientific and technical issues to non-specialists.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Conservators earn in the range of £21,000 - £23,500 a year, rising to £27,500 for those with experience. Senior conservators can make around £37,000 a year.

Full-time conservators work a basic 39-hour week, which may include some late finishes and weekend work, especially as deadlines for exhibitions approach.

Public museums and art galleries employ teams of conservators, but the availability of vacancies depends on funding. Often, only one or two conservators are permanent employees, and then may only work part time. The rest of the team are likely to be engaged on a temporary basis or on a short-term contract, lasting around six months to three years.

Opportunities are limited and there is fierce competition for all posts. Conservators must be prepared to move to other areas of the country to find a job, especially early in their career.

For many conservators there is little job security. Therefore many have become self-employed and work for a mixture of dealers, private collectors and a number of museums.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Competition for jobs is fierce.

Some entrants have relevant work experience, including voluntary work in conservation and restoration. Some entrants have specialist skills and experience, for example in watch/clock restoration.

Most employers ask for professional qualifications relating to conservation work - usually a degree in a subject such as chemistry, materials science or a specific conservation-related subject, usually coupled with postgraduate qualifications in conservation.

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