My junior year at Texas State was coming to a close when I began my search for an internship opportunity to speed me on my way toward becoming an artifacts conservator. I decided to attempt to obtain an internship position with the San Antonio Museum of Art. This decision stemmed from my memories of visiting the museum ten years ago, and the impressions that visit left with me.
Many people believe that once a museum accessions an object, it will be forever preserved and unchanged. This is far from the truth; time deteriorates everything. Excessive light, improper moisture balance, pests, even environmental contaminants (such as nicotine and dust) will degrade and destroy both the fantastic and the ordinary. Museum personnel usually lack the training and resources required to analyze and modify specific artifact requirements. Objects comprised of different mediums are housed together, exposed to a single environment. The objects themselves are comprised of different materials, each with vastly different properties. As these materials age, they respond differently to their subjected situations, often causing separation, fading, and deterioration. Only through education and understanding can these examples of our cultural birth be preserved. The San Antonio Museum of Art follows a few basic steps to care for the cultural objects with which they have been entrusted. These steps include evaluating and monitoring an items condition, maintaining an appropriate temperature and humidity level, limiting light exposure, and mild cleaning of objects. By understanding how artifacts can be damaged and how to prevent that damage, the museum heads off the need for intensive conservation and restoration. After initial condition reporting, proper environmental conditions (temperature and humidity) must be created.
There are no straight lines when on the road to becoming a conservator. Program requirements can be met in a variety of ways. Opportunities for desirable experience can be found in many different places. Internship positions, like those at the San Antonio Museum of Art, provide more than just knowledge of a single institutions operation. Contacts established in one field can make the difference between landing a future position and being passed over. Experience working with a museum database is not only appealing to other museums, but also to corporations and agencies seeking skilled professionals. The experience you gain as an intern can transcend your current occupation and provide you with highly sought skills.
Remember that opportunities are everywhere. If you are having trouble acquiring the experience you desire, contact someone in a related field. They may be able to point you in a better direction. If you need specific conservation experience, contact a museum and inquire about where they send objects in need of conservation. If there are no local conservators available, consider a temporary relocation between school semesters or after graduation.