Help, I want to quit my IT job and restore relics!
October 28, 2015 3:31 PM Subscribe
With almost no credentials and almost no safety net, I'm desperate to quit my lousy IT job and go back to school to learn how to restore relics and reliquaries. There are a few problems with this which I've had a hard time using Google to solve:
1. I can't figure out what discipline this counts as. Art History/Restoration? Anthropology? Archaeology? Undertaking?
2. Who would hire someone like this? A cathedral? Auction houses? Should I cut my losses and head down the museum curator track?
3. Any ideas how I could leverage this new track in my life to maximize the amount of traveling I do? It's not just a morbid fascination to me; part of my obsession with relics and reliquaries has to do with the seemingly universal human need to, at some point in a culture's history, ceremonially display their own dead.
I have some coursework in Art History, specifically in Relics and Reliquaries, and a minor in Studio Art. I have a Master's in French Literary Theory and lived in France for four years, long enough to become absolutely enthralled by the many relics and ossuaries of Western and Eastern Europe.
Thanks so much in advance for any help y'all can provide as I desperately try to extract myself from the soulless world of financial software!
1. I can't figure out what discipline this counts as. Art History/Restoration? Anthropology? Archaeology? Undertaking?
2. Who would hire someone like this? A cathedral? Auction houses? Should I cut my losses and head down the museum curator track?
3. Any ideas how I could leverage this new track in my life to maximize the amount of traveling I do? It's not just a morbid fascination to me; part of my obsession with relics and reliquaries has to do with the seemingly universal human need to, at some point in a culture's history, ceremonially display their own dead.
I have some coursework in Art History, specifically in Relics and Reliquaries, and a minor in Studio Art. I have a Master's in French Literary Theory and lived in France for four years, long enough to become absolutely enthralled by the many relics and ossuaries of Western and Eastern Europe.
Thanks so much in advance for any help y'all can provide as I desperately try to extract myself from the soulless world of financial software!
quaking fajita is correct, you want to be a conservator. There are a lot of post-graduate certifications in the field.
posted by furtive at 3:56 PM on October 28, 2015
posted by furtive at 3:56 PM on October 28, 2015
Best answer: You might want to reach out to the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute to see if you can't arrange some informational interviews.
posted by evoque at 3:59 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by evoque at 3:59 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks quaking fajita and furtive! I was just stuck on the whole "fixing up dead human body parts vs conserving art" thing, but your answers totally make sense!
Any personal recommendations as to institutes? Obviously I'll do some thorough Googling, but of course I'd also love to hear about real-life experiences.
posted by Mooseli at 3:59 PM on October 28, 2015
Any personal recommendations as to institutes? Obviously I'll do some thorough Googling, but of course I'd also love to hear about real-life experiences.
posted by Mooseli at 3:59 PM on October 28, 2015
Best answer: So you'd be looking at becoming an objects conservator, with a focus in metals (if you're talking about the metal and crystal types) and maybe some work in ivory. You are near one of the few training centers in the US for conservators, the NYU Institute of Fine Arts Conservation Center. It looks like their program is three years plus a fourth-year internship. That page links you to their requirements for people applying to the program.
posted by PussKillian at 4:03 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by PussKillian at 4:03 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The US professional association for the field is the American Institute for Conservation, and they have a nicely done Become a Conservator FAQ.
posted by evoque at 4:05 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by evoque at 4:05 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
There are apparently conservators who specialize in human remains, although from a cursory search it seems like they mostly care for things like bog bodies. I'm not sure that the average church with a bit of St. Whoever on display does much with their relics, but I'd be interested to see if they do.
posted by PussKillian at 4:12 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by PussKillian at 4:12 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The AIC is a good place to start to learn more about becoming a conservator.
I work with two established conservators at my museum, and I have also worked with two conservation fellows doing one year appointments at that museum. My impression is that this is a very difficult field (even more so than other museum positions) not only because of the coursework required but the dearth of positions available after you finish your education and training. You can expect to have a somewhat nomadic lifestyle of internships and fellowships following graduate school and working relatively short contracts before moving on to the next museum. This is not to say you shouldn't pursue it, but definitely get in contact with some conservators and talk to them about how long their program and subsequent internships/contracts/fellowships took.
You also said "Should I cut my losses and head down the museum curator track?" That would usually involve getting a PhD. Not all curators have PhDs, but most at the museums where I've worked do. So I think curator vs. conservator is really an apples vs. oranges situation.
posted by Mouse Army at 4:12 PM on October 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
I work with two established conservators at my museum, and I have also worked with two conservation fellows doing one year appointments at that museum. My impression is that this is a very difficult field (even more so than other museum positions) not only because of the coursework required but the dearth of positions available after you finish your education and training. You can expect to have a somewhat nomadic lifestyle of internships and fellowships following graduate school and working relatively short contracts before moving on to the next museum. This is not to say you shouldn't pursue it, but definitely get in contact with some conservators and talk to them about how long their program and subsequent internships/contracts/fellowships took.
You also said "Should I cut my losses and head down the museum curator track?" That would usually involve getting a PhD. Not all curators have PhDs, but most at the museums where I've worked do. So I think curator vs. conservator is really an apples vs. oranges situation.
posted by Mouse Army at 4:12 PM on October 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yes, I also currently work with several and have previously worked with many others, and after formal schooling, it does seem like conservators end up as junior technicians migrating around to the next fellowship, or staying put but not getting paid much. (Of course, my museum position doesn't exactly pay a ton either - it's not a hallmark of most of the field.) And you don't get to specialize so tightly that you only look at medieval reliquaries - our local objects conservator treats contemporary sculptures, porcelain dolls, gun brasses, ceramics of all types, frames, a giant contemporary painted buffalo hide that had a mouse nest inside it, and whatever random stuff the public brings in (they're a state institution that also takes private clients.)
Taking the museum curator track wouldn't be much easier, just different and with less chemistry.
posted by PussKillian at 4:19 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Taking the museum curator track wouldn't be much easier, just different and with less chemistry.
posted by PussKillian at 4:19 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks, Mouse Army -- I was hoping actually to begin a PhD track but I'm still trying to decide in which field. It's hard to figure out what's going to be a good balance between happy and not destitute!
posted by Mooseli at 4:21 PM on October 28, 2015
posted by Mooseli at 4:21 PM on October 28, 2015
Hi Mooseli!
I'm a textile conservator and I just landed my first full-time, permanent job after graduating from my master's in 2012. Conservation is a challenging field but I'm really passionate about it and so are most conservators I know. I would like offer you a bit of advice and that is to broaden your perspective a bit on what you want to specialize in. For example: my thing is really 18th and 19th century Western women's clothing. I actually spend most of my days monitoring collections spaces for pests, condition reporting all kinds of loans... right now my museum is undergoing a renewal project so I'm writing policy, making forms and trying to renew institutional habits to better care more our mixed collections as a whole. If I were you I would train as an objects conservator. The organization of the specialties is a bit idiosyncratic and objects tends to be a bit of a catch-all. Relics could mean that you will encounter wood, metal, glass, gemstones, human remains, textiles, leather, painted surfaces etc. All of these materials require different techniques and materials knowledge to safely care for them. Every institution has a different flavour and focus and mine happens to be very mixed which directs a lot of my day-to-day activites. I would prefer to be working on what I love the most but right now I'm just very grateful to have stable employment in such a dynamic institution. I don't know you though, stranger-on-the-internet, but maybe you would enjoy working short contracts and moving around! A colleague of mine is like that. She never seems to want to settle and has bounced around quite a bit in her career. That type of life might allow you to seek out projects closer to the kinds of objects you want to spend your time on. Personally, I count myself lucky to have gotten this position.
If you do want to try and focus your work on relics you should consider relocating to Europe. The vast stores of historic material culture over there are much more concentrated than the new world. You mentioned France in your original post. I actually did my master's placement in Paris so I was exposed a bit to how they do things there. France has a system where you must be licensed to practice as a conservator, I believe. The easiest way to break into that field is to go through a state run school like the Institut National du Patrimoine (http://www.inp.fr/). Note that in French a "conservateur" is a curator and a conservator is a "restaurateur". IN contrast the conservation field in the English world makes an ethical distinction between conservation and restoration that is actually quite important.
You mention your studio art experience which is great. Excellent hand skills are absolutely essential to conservation. I would take a university course or two in chemistry though, if I were you. I entered my masters program with one full year of first year chemistry and one semester of organic chemistry. Fully understanding the materials science that underpins bonding, adhesion, temperature and humidity, ideal gas law, solubility and other basic chemistry concepts is just as important as art history. Conservators really are asked to be experts in two fields a lot of the time, and good with our hands to boot!
I haven't talked about private practice as it isn't really an option that I have considered pursuing but some conservators make a good living out of running a private studio. I have never lived in a place with enough of a client base to make that feasible but again the old world is the place for that sort of living. Conservators specialized in fine art seem the most numerous in private practice. I think people are more likely to pay the price to conserve a painting than their great-great grandmother's old dress.
Sorry that got so long but there's a lot to consider when going into this career and I want to help you understand what you would be getting yourself into! If you have any more questions or would like me to expand on any of the above please just let me know!
posted by Threadcookie at 5:07 PM on October 28, 2015 [31 favorites]
I'm a textile conservator and I just landed my first full-time, permanent job after graduating from my master's in 2012. Conservation is a challenging field but I'm really passionate about it and so are most conservators I know. I would like offer you a bit of advice and that is to broaden your perspective a bit on what you want to specialize in. For example: my thing is really 18th and 19th century Western women's clothing. I actually spend most of my days monitoring collections spaces for pests, condition reporting all kinds of loans... right now my museum is undergoing a renewal project so I'm writing policy, making forms and trying to renew institutional habits to better care more our mixed collections as a whole. If I were you I would train as an objects conservator. The organization of the specialties is a bit idiosyncratic and objects tends to be a bit of a catch-all. Relics could mean that you will encounter wood, metal, glass, gemstones, human remains, textiles, leather, painted surfaces etc. All of these materials require different techniques and materials knowledge to safely care for them. Every institution has a different flavour and focus and mine happens to be very mixed which directs a lot of my day-to-day activites. I would prefer to be working on what I love the most but right now I'm just very grateful to have stable employment in such a dynamic institution. I don't know you though, stranger-on-the-internet, but maybe you would enjoy working short contracts and moving around! A colleague of mine is like that. She never seems to want to settle and has bounced around quite a bit in her career. That type of life might allow you to seek out projects closer to the kinds of objects you want to spend your time on. Personally, I count myself lucky to have gotten this position.
If you do want to try and focus your work on relics you should consider relocating to Europe. The vast stores of historic material culture over there are much more concentrated than the new world. You mentioned France in your original post. I actually did my master's placement in Paris so I was exposed a bit to how they do things there. France has a system where you must be licensed to practice as a conservator, I believe. The easiest way to break into that field is to go through a state run school like the Institut National du Patrimoine (http://www.inp.fr/). Note that in French a "conservateur" is a curator and a conservator is a "restaurateur". IN contrast the conservation field in the English world makes an ethical distinction between conservation and restoration that is actually quite important.
You mention your studio art experience which is great. Excellent hand skills are absolutely essential to conservation. I would take a university course or two in chemistry though, if I were you. I entered my masters program with one full year of first year chemistry and one semester of organic chemistry. Fully understanding the materials science that underpins bonding, adhesion, temperature and humidity, ideal gas law, solubility and other basic chemistry concepts is just as important as art history. Conservators really are asked to be experts in two fields a lot of the time, and good with our hands to boot!
I haven't talked about private practice as it isn't really an option that I have considered pursuing but some conservators make a good living out of running a private studio. I have never lived in a place with enough of a client base to make that feasible but again the old world is the place for that sort of living. Conservators specialized in fine art seem the most numerous in private practice. I think people are more likely to pay the price to conserve a painting than their great-great grandmother's old dress.
Sorry that got so long but there's a lot to consider when going into this career and I want to help you understand what you would be getting yourself into! If you have any more questions or would like me to expand on any of the above please just let me know!
posted by Threadcookie at 5:07 PM on October 28, 2015 [31 favorites]
I'm desperate to quit my lousy IT job and go back to school to learn how to restore relics and reliquaries.
Someone close to me is an art conservator (specializing in paper) who has a successful career. Because of this I've met a lot of conservators at various stages of their career from students interns up to very senior people, and I have a somewhat outside perspective. I'm also an academic so I'm familiar with bad job markets. What I'd say is that you just shouldn't do this. The job market is incredibly tight, and the bulk of the jobs have no stability, terrible pay, and make very little contribution to a career. I've known (multiple) interns who traveled across an ocean for 3-6 month contract jobs whose pay didn't really even balance out relocation/housing, because this is what you have to do, often for years, to have a shot at getting something permanent somewhere. There are just way, way more people coming out of graduate schools than there are jobs (though I know less about artifacts conservation I should say). Also, austerity means that cultural heritage jobs are in danger all over the place. This is the same kind of advice I would give most people thinking of doing a Ph.D. in my niche field (linguistics), but honestly I think the conservation job market is even worse. Trying to make it in this kind of job market will crush your soul in entirely different, but no less unfortunate ways, than working in corporate IT.
Also, scrub "restore"/"restoration" from your (English) vocabulary -- they refer to practices that are not viewed as ethical (and probably read up on the conservation vs. restoration distinction at some point).
posted by advil at 7:16 PM on October 28, 2015 [5 favorites]
Someone close to me is an art conservator (specializing in paper) who has a successful career. Because of this I've met a lot of conservators at various stages of their career from students interns up to very senior people, and I have a somewhat outside perspective. I'm also an academic so I'm familiar with bad job markets. What I'd say is that you just shouldn't do this. The job market is incredibly tight, and the bulk of the jobs have no stability, terrible pay, and make very little contribution to a career. I've known (multiple) interns who traveled across an ocean for 3-6 month contract jobs whose pay didn't really even balance out relocation/housing, because this is what you have to do, often for years, to have a shot at getting something permanent somewhere. There are just way, way more people coming out of graduate schools than there are jobs (though I know less about artifacts conservation I should say). Also, austerity means that cultural heritage jobs are in danger all over the place. This is the same kind of advice I would give most people thinking of doing a Ph.D. in my niche field (linguistics), but honestly I think the conservation job market is even worse. Trying to make it in this kind of job market will crush your soul in entirely different, but no less unfortunate ways, than working in corporate IT.
Also, scrub "restore"/"restoration" from your (English) vocabulary -- they refer to practices that are not viewed as ethical (and probably read up on the conservation vs. restoration distinction at some point).
posted by advil at 7:16 PM on October 28, 2015 [5 favorites]
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posted by quaking fajita at 3:55 PM on October 28, 2015 [3 favorites]