Training in the Conservation of Paintings - Calouste Gulbenkian ...

TRAINING IN THE CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS
remaining years would be primarily an apprenticeship, accompanied
by lectures and classes, not necessarily all in the same
institution as the apprenticeship, on the theory and history of
conservation and on background subjects.
Award
55. The importance of a generally recognised award has been put
to us very strongly and we believe it to be a matter of importance. In
the first place, as we have pointed out in paragraph 22 it is necessary
to public employers, to private clients and to the safety of the works
of art themselves that the restorer's qualifications should be recognisable
in order that those who do not possess them may not be
encouraged to operate. Secondly, the uncertain status, and consequently
the inadequate remuneration, of restorers in the public
service is a matter of concern to the profession and is thought to be
one of the causes of their shortage. Some witnesses have suggested
that the award of a postgraduate degree would be the right remedy
for this situation; but it is our view that for a profession so preponderantly
practical, and with so high a proportion of craft as
against academic learning, a respected professional award carrying
the minimum assurance of five years of specialised training, as part
of at least seven years of further education in all, comparable, as we
have pointed out in paragraph 34, with those of medicine, architecture
and law, would be more appropriate, and, once recognised,
equally honourable.
56. In a profession of such comparatively small numbers a recognised
award is something which must take time to establish. It
would be our recommendation that this award should, in the first
place, be the certificate given by the Central Conservation Institute
to its own students at the end of the advanced course; but it would
be our hope that, on suitable evidence of skill and experience, the
Institute would also award it externally to those trained in other
studios, such as those of the national museums and galleries, and
that it would come to be regarded by the profession as the official
award.
Student Finance
57. It would seem desirable that the training should be available to
students without payment if necessary and should qualify them for
maintenance. As regards the Basic Course, local education authority
grants would normally be available, providing the institute in which
the course is given is recognised as an institute of further education.
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