Art Conservator is a professional who entails examination, documentation, treatment, and preventive care of the art objects. They restore artwork in a way that increases its visual accessibility without damaging the integrity of the original work. It means they patch up any dings or scratches in a piece of art in a manner that does not permanently change the piece.
They also determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair; prepare artifacts for storage and shipping; install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts’ safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set-up; clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
All conservation procedures are supposed to be documented and be as reversible as possible and all the alterations are supposed to be clearly distinguishable from the original art object. There are also many other duties/ responsibilities they have to follow during work in the fields.
Art Conservator Eligibility
The minimum qualification to be eligible for Art Conservator’s courses is 10+2 and a sense of art in them.
Art Conservator Required Skills
- They must have an innovative mind so that they could advise the organisation on conservation issues.
- Art Conservators should be able to examine artefacts, both visually and using scientific tools such as x-rays, infrared photography and microscopic analysis to determine the extent and causes of deterioration.
- They should be able to propose and estimate the costs of treatments to halt decay and reveal the true nature of objects.
- They could do creative solutions to clean, support and repair sensitive objects and the like.
- Candidates should also be able to deliver talks and presentations to professional audiences; supervising volunteers, interns, junior conservation staff and students.
- They should have a keen power of observation, eye for detail, aesthetic appreciation, patience, a steady hand, willingness to work long and strenuous hours, respect of the artist and a scientific outlook.
How to become an Art Conservator?
One has to follow the given steps for this Profession.
Step 1
After clearing 12th class in any stream the aspiring candidate needs to get a Bachelor's degree in the related field, such as art history, studio art, anthropology, archaeology or chemistry. Since art conservation is a highly specialized field, aspiring art restorers may benefit from taking on relevant internships and jobs to supplement undergraduate study.
Step 2
After getting Bachelor's degree on can look for a job in various organisations operating in the field for some on job experience or go for Masters’ Degree program in conservation studies followed by a PhD program in Art Conservation. After getting Masters in this field they become familiar with many things about conservation it also enhances their job value.
Institutes offering Courses for Art Conservator
- Mysore University, Mysore
- Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
- University of Madras, Chennai
- Jiwaji University, Gwalior
Art Conservator Job Description
- Art Conservator job description basically involves restoration of artwork in a way that increases its visual accessibility without damaging the integrity of the original work.
- Their work also includes determining whether artworks need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair; prepare artefacts for storage and shipping; install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artefacts for exhibition, ensuring the artefacts’ safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set-up; clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
- The art conservator's job also includes documenting all conservation procedures.
Art Conservator Career Prospects
- Art Conservators have many career opportunities in various fields.
- They can have jobs in Archaeological Survey of India which carries restoration work on monuments and other historical places.
- Art Conservators can also find jobs in The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi which offers conservation services to private collectors and institutions.
- They can have jobs in National Museum Centres which house government art collections in Lucknow, Delhi and Calcutta, etc. They take care of their own artworks and at times also those of other state museums.
- Some Art Conservators could also open their own businesses.
- Teaching, art journalism, archaeology and art dealing are some of the other options that exist in this field.
Art Conservator Salary
Art Conservator, initially, can expect Rs.5,000 for installation projects; and Rs.8,000 for outstation assignment/ project. The amount may differ as per the nature of the project, and they can get even up to Rs.20,000 plus.
With experience and specialisation, they can expect a decent salary. Professionals employed in museums and institutes earning a monthly salary of Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 per month.
