- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conservators
- Examine artifacts, determine their condition, suggest methods for treating them and recommend preventive conservation techniques to their owners
- Restore and conserve paintings, photographs, books, papers, sculptures, furniture, pottery or other museum and art gallery artifacts as per particular field of specialization
- Provide advice on display and storage of museum and gallery artifacts to ensure proper maintenance and preservation
- Explore new conservation and restoration techniques
- Provide consultation to museums, art galleries or private individuals
- Supervise conservation technicians and other museum technicians.
- Curators
- Recommend the acquisition of paintings, photographs, sculptures, documents and other museum and art gallery artifacts
- Conduct research into objects' methods of construction techniques, structure and materials to understand its physical and chemical makeup
- Develop storylines and themes and organize displays and exhibitions
- Coordinate the storage of collections and the setting up of displays and exhibitions
- Oversee the conservation, display and circulation of collections
- Supervise curatorial assistants and other museum technicians.
Employment Requirements
- Conservators require a master's degree in art conservation or completion of a two-year college program in conservation technology and several years of experience in conservation work.
- Conservators may be accredited by the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators.
- Curators require a master's or bachelor's degree in museology, art history or a field related to their specific area of work.