A presentation given by Jessica Wanamaker from ICON at the Collections Trust Briefing Day for Museum Development Officers in London on 23 November 2009
THANK YOU DELIGHTED TO BE HERE Today want to speak to you about 3 things Talk about the tools we offer selecting the right conservator Other resources that can support museums How conservation can help those organisations you support with community outreach, audience development and lifelong learning
Membership organisation 3000 members Most from the conservation community working conservators, conservation technicians, heritage scientists, collection care specialists and conservation students and trainees COME FROM all conservation disciplines and FROM BOTH public and private sectors (40/60%) Other members: heritage sector and public Registered charity 4 main strands to our work work with government and heritage policy and decision makers Public access and understanding, REACHING OUT WITH INFO TO THE PUBLIC 3 Policy and practical role: Manage very successful workbased postgraduate internships programme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (50 + And have a two years pilot programme for training conservation technicians (30) We also hope to launch an apprenticeship training programme sometime in 2010-11with heritage institutions and private sector studios We are focal point for the conservation profession in setting national professional standards
Brings me neatly on to PACR our Accreditation scheme for professional conservators the conservation sector developed an accreditation scheme managed by Icon. The scheme provides a benchmark of quality and competence For professional conservators working for at least 5 years Scheme is now a recognised industry standard: The Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, the Council for the Care of Churches, the National Trust and the national museums, and archives and libraries They now choose to use or advise using consultant conservators who have been accredited under Icon ’ s PACR scheme. They also encourage their own conservators to become accredited Once accredited Use the initials ACR after their name and this registered trade mark.
To help you find an accredited conservator, working in the private sector The Conservation Register which is at www.conservationregister.com Manage a web based database Website page Not all will be on Additional criteria related to insurance, health & safety, references (demonstrating good customer service), supervision standards, documentation, accounts.
o Conservation Register website is free to use o Aim is to allow users to build up a picture on who might want shortlist o Basis For further discussions o Website has two pages of information for each business o Can select by geography and specialism High level of detail, everything from o Charging polices o Recent projects RECAP – ACCREDITATION: WHAT TO LOOK FOR - CONSERVATION REGISTER: HELPS YOU TO IDENTIFY suitable candidates
The Conservation Register website also has use detailed FAQ for non conservation professionals: EXPLANATION ABOUT PACR Choosing and working with a conservator Conservation reports Church conservation . Handling and moving objects Mounting and framing works of art on paper Storage Glossary of conservation terms IN addition Issuing GUIDELINES FOR COMMISSIONING CONSERVATORS next year
o Our suite of Caring for leaflets …… o Basic information about care of a range of objects and materials. o Non conservation professionals and especially for members of the public. We have 14 of titles in print and have found them very popular. Carpets and rugs Ceramic and glass Family documents and archives Photographic materials Prints, drawing and watercolours o And we will only make a charge for administration, post and packing.
Public interest in watching and being involved in conservation Conservation offer new ROUTES INTO HERITAGE That can also transform community relationships and community life. Textbook outreach project ONGOING - 5 month project Pre construction excavation of Anglo-Saxon cemetery of 229 graves,YIELDING 2500 objec The importance is in sustaining that work fir the future