Career: Conservators
Conservators strive to protect precious objects -- everything from medieval tapestries, Chinese porcelain, and Mexican murals to classic comic books -- and to restore them to their former glory.
Conservators know a lot about art history and chemistry. They also work with a wide range of professionals, including archaeologists, art dealers, interior designers, architectural preservationists, and even nuclear physicists.
Conservators care for and repair art objects and artifacts.
Did You Know?
- Conservators often specialize in particular materials or types of object, such as documents and books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, metals, or architectural materials.
Are You Ready To...?
- Classify and catalog artifacts
- Study chemical and physical tests to determine an object's age and makeup
- Clean objects, including paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture
- Preserve objects, using plaster, resin, sealants, hardeners, and shellac
- Repair and restore artifacts, designing and making missing or broken parts
- Prepare objects for storage and shipping
It Helps to Be...
Good with your hands and interested in everything from art to chemistry to history.
Make High School Count
- Get a good foundation in studio art and art history. Consider taking the AP® Art History exam.
- Classes in chemistry will help you understand how objects deteriorate over time and what substances can be used to clean or repair them.
- Make the most of class research assignments to build good library and online research skills.
- Volunteer with local historical societies, art galleries, or museums, and get to know the ins and outs of these places.
Did You Know?
- The tools and techniques of conservators include x-rays, chemical testing, microscopes, and special lights.
Outlook
Government economists expect jobs for conservators to grow faster than the average for all careers through 2016. Knowing a second language and being willing to move for work will give you an edge if you hope to become a conservator. To compete for the best jobs, you'll need to be highly trained with at least one graduate degree. However, getting accepted into conservation programs is no easy task.
Compensation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that museum technicians and conservators earned an average yearly salary of $39,180 in 2007. In general, large museums pay better than small ones.
