Postgrad: museum conservation (and/or experiences of Lincoln or Glasgow)

[PhotoDad]

I know this is a long-shot, but does anyone know much about becoming a Conservator? DD, currently at art school, is set on working with historic textiles (niche even for Mumsnet).

The two big names in the field are Glasgow and Lincoln, but Glasgow charges literally double what Lincoln does and appears completely unaffordable. Any personal experiences would be very welcome.

Looks to be an available post-graduate qualification at a few places:

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/courses/search/postgraduate/museum-gallery-conservation-skills-and-studies

Thank you! The issue is that when you look at many courses with conservation in the title, they turn out to be "museum studies" (which is about running or curating museums rather than hands-on restoration) or to specialise in things like paintings or buildings rather than textiles. We'll look through the list though.

Yes I think it can be frustrating, but going thru each one and seeing the details is the only way I think.

What about asking at the Courtauld Institute? https://courtauld.ac.uk/?s=textiles
There may be some wriggle room on existing, broader courses. (Pricey though).

Thanks again! The Courtauld is very firmly All About Paintings (and quite right too) on its taught courses. DD has spoken to textile conservators working for the National Trust, and they all trained at either Glasgow or Lincoln, which is why she's particularly interested in those two courses/universities. (She'd have to do a Graduate Diploma first at Lincoln so they're both effectively two years, but Glasgow's tuition fee is £££££.)

In a way it's reassuring that so few places offer the course as it suggests that supply-and-demand is working in the field.

What about Durham? My friend's DD did their post grad course and is now working in a museum as a conservator.
Think she did a history degree first and had to do some kind of technical/ chemistry foundation course first?

Good suggestion; interesting that it has switched from being an MA to now being an MSc and requiring university-level chemistry or a conversion course! Which probably isn't DD's thing (and suggests that the course is about archaeology and paints). It's also ££££, but that seems to be a theme. I'll pass it along.

Hi a relative attended the undergrad course at Lincoln. I think there were 18 in his year. It is mostly lab work, so very hands on.They have some very specialised equipment and certainly a textiles module. I think there are a few youtube videos of student projects. I don't know about post-grad.

I suggest you find a staff list and check their specialities. My relative did textile restoration for his final dissertation - his tutor is an expert on tapestries.

Good luck!

Amazing, I knew that Mumsnetters and relatives know about everything. Tapestries and early-modern clothing are two of DD's real interests (I said this was niche) so checking out a staff list would be good. From the website, it's all in specialist labs. If you know; did your relative enjoy his course? What's he doing now? Thank you!

Oh he loved it! Sorry can't predict what he will do next but there are so many opportunities with this degree. He doesn't want lab based work but museums are a possibility, organising exhibitions etc. ( No move into employment yet due to travelling of course)

He did mention the department can rehydrate old shoe leather etc but sadly they don't offer this service to old ladies.....

😀

Thanks again. Good to know. I'll pass that on to DD. She's planning a gap year after her BA degree too (mainly to raise funds for the next stage).

It actually suggests there are very few jobs in the field. At least in the UK. It might be worth looking at Europe and the US as well where there's often more money being spent in that area of conservation (i.e. less reliant on public funding).

Although on the one hand that's concerning, on the other it seems a better situation than the creative and performing arts, where there are very few jobs but lots of courses. Will also consider overseas options, good point!

The rewards are potentially a lot higher in performing arts (though only for the few), which is why there are so many courses.

Useful list of global programmes - Amsterdam might be worth looking at as Dutch fees are usually cheaper and the course is taught in Enlish - it has a textiles strand but they alternate the years the strands start so textiles start in odd numbered years.

http://www.museumtextiles.com/becoming-a-conservator.html

Thank you so much!

The very well regarded Conservation courses at Camberwell and London Guildhall/London Met closed a good few years ago. I think they were BSc/ MSc.

Just to be aware that anyone I know that’s done anything museum or conservation related has relied on parental money. They’re incredibly poorly paid and a lot of short term temporary contracts. Worse than library staff who are usually the bottom rung.

Not that your daughter should follow her passion and interests. She definitely should. But knowledge is power.

Thank you! Forewarned is forearmed. Luckily we're in a position to help until she's established in a career which is a huge blessing. (It might even be less precarious than freelance illustration...)

I'm not sure if Westdean near Chichester do fabric conservation but they might be useful for info. They certainly do MA's in other conservation fields. It might be worth her while joining ICON as a student. That way she is at least getting inside industry info. It covers conservators of all types, metal/books/fabric/ceramics/stone etc etc!

www.icon.org.uk

Thank you! Textiles is the one area which Westdean doesn't do. Which is a pity as it looks amazing (but is also £££££).

Definitely have a look at West Dean, they do lots of short courses too. A colleague has completed the buildings conservation course there.

www.westdean.ac.uk/degrees-and-diplomas

Have you had a look at this list?

https://www.icon.org.uk/careers/conservation-training/higher-education.html

A neighbour is a paintings conservator, and is part of a family business.

Ah, West Dean just do courses in tapestry weaving etc.

Durham is object conservation more broadly, lots of stuff with wood, ceramics, glass etc. Not too much in the way of textiles (although I do know someone who is going in that direction from the course).

@SabrinaThwaite Thank you! Since my initial post we've looked at various lists including the ICON one and it does seem that Lincoln is the best choice within the UK. Haven't really looked into overseas yet. No huge rush as DD is planning to take a year after art-school to build funds for the next step, but she likes to have a plan.

Thanks, that's what I had gathered, and it seems that if there are places that focus on her area then it would be odd not go to one!

Thank you all, by the way. I know nothing about this area so it's been very helpful to hear from people who do. DD is already volunteering on the "Collections Team" at a local museum doing semi-skilled cleaning and cataloguing, and is talking to people there as well, but Mumsnet always adds more experience!