Conservators and curators

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.

• 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.

• Progression to museum or art gallery management positions is possible with experience.

• Conservators and curators may specialize in a particular type of collection or material, such as furniture, weapons, books, paintings and musical instruments.