What is a Conservator?

Conservators are concerned with a number of factors in preserving an object, including determining structural stability, counteracting chemical and physical deterioration, and performing conservation treatment based on an evaluation of the aesthetic, historic, and scientific characteristics of the object.

Conservation professionals have considerable practical experience, a broad range of theoretical and scientific knowledge, and a commitment to high standards and performance. A conservator may be trained at a conservation graduate training program or by lengthy apprenticeship with experienced senior colleagues. Because of the increasingly technical nature of modern conservation, conservators usually specialize in a particular type of object, such as: paintings, works on paper, textiles, sculpture, furniture, rare books, photographs, or archaeological, decorative, or ethnographic materials. Conservators tend to work in private practice or for a museum, library, historical society, or similar institution.

Sometimes confusion arises about the terms "restoration" and "conservation." Restoration refers to the reconstruction of the aesthetic appearance of an object. Although restoration can be one aspect of conservation, the latter encompasses much more. Conservation involves examination, scientific analysis, and research to determine original structure, materials, and extent of loss. Conservation also encompasses structural and environmental treatment to retard future deterioration.

The careful selection of an appropriate conservator is particularly important, because the profession is not regulated by law. The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) is the national organization of conservation professionals. One of its goals is to define and maintain a high level of professionalism in conservation. This goal is reflected in the AIC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, copies of which are available from the AIC office.

AIC Guide to Conservation Services

The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Guide to Conservation Services provides a systematic, consistent method of obtaining current information to identify and locate professional conservation services.

This nationwide guide system enables you to address a wide range of conservation problems, whether your needs are long-range or short-term and whether your collection consists of thousands of valuable historic artifacts, one priceless work of art, or items of great personal value. In response to your inquiry, a computer generated list of conservators is compiled and grouped by location, specialization, type of service provided, and AIC membership category (Fellow, Professional Associate, or Associate). AIC Professional Associates and Fellows have met specified levels of peer review and have agreed to adhere to the AIC Code of Ethics. This information is provided free of charge.

What Questions to Ask Potential Conservators

Once you have obtained a list of potential conservators from the AIC Guide to Conservation Services or have compiled one on your own by consulting conservation professionals, conservation organizations, or collectors, you must choose the most appropriate professional. When selecting a conservator to work on your object, seek sufficient information on the individuals under consideration. It may not be appropriate to restrict your search geographically, especially if the object presents unique problems. Many conservators are willing to travel.

Ask each potential conservator for the following information:

• training
• length of professional experience
• scope of practice (whether conservation is primary activity)
• experience in working with the kind of object for which you seek help
• involvement in conservation organizations
• availability
• references and previous clients

You are making a very important decision. Contact references and previous clients. The quality of conservation work is most accurately evaluated based on the technical and structural aspects of the treatment in addition to the cosmetic appearance; another conservation professional may be able to help you make this evaluation.

For time-consuming projects or collection surveys, you can advertise for a short-term contract conservator in a variety of publications, including the AIC News.

What to Expect

1. Procedures: A conservator will want to examine the object before suggesting a treatment. Prior to beginning a treatment, the conservator should provide for your review and approval a written preliminary examination report with a description of the proposed treatment, expected results, and estimated cost. The conservator should consult you during the treatment if any serious deviation from the agreed-upon proposal is needed.
2. Cost and Schedule: The conservator should be willing to discuss the basis for all charges. Determine if there are separate rates for preliminary examination and evaluation and if these preliminary charges are separate or deductible from a subsequent contract. Ask questions about insurance, payment terms, shipping, and additional charges. Conservators often have a backlog of work; inquire if a waiting period is necessary before new work can be accepted.
3. Documentation: The conservator should provide a treatment report when treatment is completed. Such reports may vary in length and form but should list materials and procedures used. The final report may, if appropriate, include photographic records documenting condition before and after treatment. Recommendations for continued care and maintenance may also be provided. Both written and photographic records should be unambiguous. All records should be retained for reference in case the object requires treatment in the future.

Exercising Caution

Conservation treatments are frequently time consuming and expensive. Be wary of those who propose to perform a quick and inexpensive restoration job, are reluctant to discuss in detail the materials and methods to be used, or will not permit you to see work in progress. If you have a large collection requiring treatment, you may wish to have one object treated initially before entering into a major contract. The added time or expense of finding the right professional will be small compared to the loss or future costs that could result from inadequate conservation treatment. It is also important to note that conservators do not always agree. Ask about risks involved with certain treatment options. Speak to a number of conservators if you are unable to make a comfortable decision.

Points to Remember when Selecting a Conservator

• Learn about the field of conservation.
• Seek advice and recommendations through the AIC Guide toConservation Services and other professional organizations.
• Contact a conservator's previous clients. Investigate references.
• Request information regarding the conservator's background, training, experience, and professional affiliation.
• Expect to receive the following from a professional conservator:
  1. written preliminary examination report evaluating condition, proposing treatment, describing limitations of treatment, and providing an estimate of the treatment cost and duration
  2. notification during treatment of major changes in the proposal
  3. written and, if appropriate, photographic documentation of the treatment

Information Sources

The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), 1156 15th Street NW, Ste 320 Washington, DC 20005-1714; Phone: (202) 452-9545; Fax: (202) 452-9328

AIC is the national organization of conservation professionals which sponsors conferences and publishes and sells a variety of conservation related periodicals. Its nonprofit foundation, Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC), offers educational programs, and grants to conservators. A general bibliography on conservation is available on request.

The Canadian Association of Professional Conservators, c/o Canadian Museums Association, Suite 400, 280 Metcalfe St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P 1R7; Fax: (613) 233-5438.

The CAPC is the professional body incorporated to accredit conservation professionals in Canada. Founded in 1971, CAPC works to establish and encourage high standards of competence, integrity, and ethics in the field of conservation.


Heritage Preservation (HP), 1730 K Street N.W., Ste 566, Washington, DC 20006; Phone: (202) 624-1422, Fax: (202) 624-1435

HP provides a forum for discussion, understanding, and awareness of national conservation and preservation needs. HP offers bibliographies and other publications on a wide range of conservation and related topics.

Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049-1684; Phone: (310) 440-7325, Fax: (310) 440-7702

GCI addresses conservation problems of cultural property through its programs in scientific research, training, documentation, and publications and its administration of the Conservation Information Network (CIN).

The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC) 6 Buckingham Street London, England WC2N 6BA Tel.: 01-1441-839-5975

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), 1030 Innes Rd., Ottawa, Ontario K1A OM5, Canada; (613) 998-3721; Fax: (613) 998-4721

IIC and CCI are two of the international organizations dedicated to conservation that produce publications and organize professional meetings.

Regional and local conservation associations provide a forum for information exchange among conservators. Their meetings are open to anyone interested in conservation. The AIC office can provide the address of the regional organization in your geographic area.

If you need assistance or further information, please contact the AIC national office at: 
AIC, 1156 15th Street NW, Suite 320, Washington, DC 20005-1714; Phone: (202) 452-9545; Fax: (202) 452-9328; E-mail: info@aic-faic.org.

Prepared by Shelley G. Sturman with Martin Burke and Doris A. Hamburg, 1991.
Revised in 2000 by Shelley G. Sturman.

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