Conservation: Conservation

Descriptions

The conservator’s task is to ensure the preservation and sustainable use of cultural heritage. Conservation encompasses all the activities with which the decay of cultural heritage is slowed down or prevented. If necessary, conservation can be supplemented with restoration.

Conservators work as specialists responsible for conservation and preservation of cultural heritage in cooperation with other specialists of the cultural heritage field. Conservators often work in teams, and therefore cooperation skills and flexibility are an integral part of the professional skills of a conservator. Conservators work in museums, conservation centers, archives, libraries, foundations, conservation projects and universities, or as independent conservation entrepreneurs.

The degree program in Conservation is phenomena based and consists of supportive studies, material studies and studies in conservation. Compulsory to all students common studies consist of the basic studying and learning skills, language studies, entrepreneurship studies and theoretical and methodological studies. The structure of learning path is based on the professional competencies. The professional studies in conservation include project studies with emphasis on the cooperation with the working life.

The skills are based on the general competences related to conservation/restoration, including the pan-European requirements for the profession (see European Network for Conservation-Restoration Education and ICOM). As the Metropolia UAS is the only university in Finland offering conservation education, the international cooperation is an essential part of the studies in conservation. In practice, this means long-term student exchange, work placement periods and short-term study trips abroad.

The bachelor´s thesis is an independent study project during the final year of studies made usually for the working life and consists of an advanced professional project and theoretical thesis on it.

In addition to manual skills, conservators possess good theoretical, technical and scientific competences and good problem-solving skills. A conservator can analyze the properties and behavior of different materials related to her/his work. A conservator knows the characteristics of different materials related to cultural heritage and conservation and is able creatively solve problems and develop methods concerning conservation. A conservator knows the global issues and trends in the field of cultural heritage and recognizes the effect of technological development on his/her work, tasks and goals. A conservator is able to apply the principles of sustainability taking into consideration the global responsibility of her/his actions.

Development

The contents of the studies are reviewed on a yearly basis and the professional development in each subject area is followed. Also suggestions and requirements coming from the working life are incorporated into studies as much as possible. Curriculum is presented to the conservation working life advisory committee.

Professional studies include working life projects from museums, parishes, etc. Cooperation with National Board of Antiquities and conservation companies is continual. Final theses are linked to the working life.

Further information

Opetussuunnitelma on uusi.

Vastuut: tutkintovastaava Kirsi Perkiömäki
Sisältö: Päivi Ukkonen
Ylläpitäjä: Leena Niiranen

Objective

Documentation, collection management, conservation skills and theory, contextual knowledge and material science.