Art Conservation
Art conservation is the caring for, preservation of, and restoration of artistic and historic works. Conservators are responsible for paintings, decorative arts, documents, books, textiles, and metal. Using a variety of tools and chemicals, conservators plan and implement the appropriate methods of caring for the works of art and artifacts.
Art conservation societies include ArtWatch, American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, and the Western Association for Art Conservation.
The Study of Art Conservation
The study of art conservation usually begins with an undergraduate degree in art or art history, as well as coursework in both general science and organic chemistry. Anthropology and archeology courses are also useful to conservationists.
These courses are often prerequisites for admission to a graduate program in art conservation. Graduate programs and certificate programs in the conservation art and historic properties often require four to six semesters of study culminating in a full-time internship in a conservation lab.
Conservation programs explore techniques of preserving and restoring artistic and historic works. Students are trained to use lab equipment such as x-ray machines and microscopes as well as a variety of chemicals in order to analyze and carry out the appropriate method of cleaning, preserving, or restoring a work. Courses in documentation, examination, and science are usually required. Conservation programs may also allow students the option of specializing in a particular medium, for example paper or paintings.
Art Conservation Colleges
Online courses in art conservation are offered by the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (FAIC). FAIC offers courses in laboratory safety, records and information management, mitigating risk, digital photography, and establishing conservation practice.
Master Degree programs in art conservation are not incredibly common. A Master of Science in Historic Preservation can be earned from Buffalo State College, Columbia University, New York University, Queens University, University of Delaware, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas at Austin, and USCLA.
Many art conservationists earn degrees in art history as a prerequisite to entering a master degree program in conservation or earning a certificate in conservation. Art history degrees are offered online by the Academy of Art University, American Intercontinental University, Westwood College Online, and Capella University.