Museum/art gallery conservator

Museum/art gallery conservators ensure that works of art and objects of historical interest are kept in the best condition possible, by cleaning, repairing and maintaining them. They normally conserve one type of object or material, such as textiles, furniture or paintings. They combine craft techniques and scientific principles to treat objects.

Also known as:

Restorer

Work activities

Museum/art gallery conservators preserve objects to protect them from damage and decay. They normally specialise in conserving one type of object or material, such as paper and books, textiles, furniture, photos, paintings, stained glass, ceramics or metal. Conservation work is both an art and a science. Conservators check that objects are genuine and put a date to them, using techniques such as pigment analysis and carbon-14 dating. Conservators can use X-rays to examine the internal structure of an object. This can also show them the positions of any ancient and modern repairs that have been made to the object. They can use microscopes and infrared photography to assess an object’s condition and identify the techniques and materials used to create it. They then combine craft techniques and scientific principles to treat the object. They decide what they need to do to conserve the object.

Conservators use a wide range of instruments and tools in their work, including scalpels, cotton swabs, solvents and adhesives. They need to know how to use chemicals and equipment safely. The conservator’s aim is minimal intervention, doing just what they have to in order to stop or reduce the rate of deterioration. Treatments are reversible where possible, enabling the conservator to remove and replace previous restoration work when new, more advanced methods become available. This means it’s vital that the conservator keeps detailed records of what they do during the conservation process. They write reports and take photos of each object they work on. Conservators also monitor and control the conditions in which objects are kept. To do this, they use their knowledge of the 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, which can include estimating costs and contributing to the museum/gallery budget. They also supervise junior conservators and volunteers. Conservators might give talks and demonstrations about their work and supervise school groups and other visitors to the conservation laboratory. Conservators sometimes need to travel locally and nationally, for example, to supervise collections and advise on handling artefacts.

Personal qualities and skills

As a museum/art gallery conservator, you’ll need:

Practical skills and the ability to work with delicate, detailed objects and materials.
Patience, attention to detail and high levels of concentration.
Artistic, technological and scientific ability.
A methodical approach to your work.
Willingness to keep up to date with advances in conservation methods and techniques.
Communication skills to explain your work.
Your colour vision might be tested.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. In 2022, the Institute of Conservation (ICON) found that conservators can expect to earn the following:

Early career: £26,346
Mid-career: £32,333
Senior professionals: £37,925

Full-time conservators can expect to work a 39-41 hours per week, which may include some late finishes and weekend work, especially as deadlines for exhibitions approach.

Where could I work?

Museums and art galleries employ conservators. However, most conservators are either self-employed freelances or work in private studios and contract out their services.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in or on:

The website of the Institute of Conservation (ICON).
Local/national newspapers.
The websites of the Museums Association and the National Museum Directors’ Council (NMDC).
Specialist job boards such as com
General job boards.
The websites of individual museums/art galleries.

Entry routes and training

Most museum/art gallery conservators are graduates. Specialist degree courses are available at a small number of universities. As conservation work combines knowledge of art and science, it can be possible to enter with a first degree in a related subject such as fine art, history of art, chemistry, biochemistry and materials science. However, you will then usually need a postgraduate qualification in conservation. Again, a small number of courses are available. A-level chemistry would be useful for people who don’t have a chemistry or related degree.

Most university-level courses focus on the conservation of paper and paintings or archaeological objects. Training in areas such as stained glass, furniture and textiles is rare; in some areas, there are no formal training courses, so you’ll need to develop knowledge and skills through a period of work-based development. For entry to this career, knowledge and skills gained through related work or voluntary experience is very useful and could be essential. ICON offers the Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers (PACR) scheme. This is the professional practice assessment for conservation professionals wishing to gain accredited status with ICON. Accredited status shows that you are a fully qualified and capable professional. People who achieve accreditation through PACR or who are accredited members of certain professional bodies can join the ICON Conservation Register. This is an online, searchable register, allowing the public to find fully qualified conservators.

A number of apprenticeship options are available. You could begin a level 4 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of cultural heritage conservation technician or alternatively a level 7 (degree) apprenticeship as a cultural heritage conservator. These options allow you to undertake more of your training in the workplace than with a degree course, and you will also be able to specialise earlier in your career.

Progression often depends on the size of museum or gallery you’re working for. In larger establishments, there will be a more structured promotion route. You might have to move job to make progress if you work in a smaller museum or gallery.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career can be an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

For entry to a specialist degree course in restoration/conservation, you’ll usually need:

Two to three A-levels. The subjects universities ask for vary depending on the course but can include history, chemistry or other science subjects, and art and design.
GCSEs at grade 4 and above in your A-level subjects.
Two to three GCSEs at grade 4 and above, usually to include English. Some universities ask for science subjects.

Alternatives to A levels include:

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

To begin a higher or degree apprenticeship in this field, you will need GCSEs in English and maths plus two relevant A-levels.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: 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.

Some entrants have relevant voluntary or paid work experience in conservation and restoration.

If you don’t have the qualifications you usually need to enter a degree course, you might be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course. You don’t usually need any qualifications to start an Access course, but you should check individual course details.

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