Postgraduate studentships at RCA/V&A

Some time ago, we announced our postgraduate studentships for next
academic year.  We received a great deal of interest.  Happily we
have filled most of the places we had to offer.  However, two
students to whom we have offered places have withdrawn and we failed
to find a student for one of the places we were keen to fill.  We
would like to find students for these places, particularly a
research studentship for which we have some sponsorship. The
information needs to be circulated urgently as we hope to interview
potential candidates on 17 June.

Postgraduate studentships with the RCA/V&A Conservation Course for
1997/98

Following the first round of interviews, three postgraduate places
remain available with the RCA/V&A Conservation Course for entry in
October 1997/98.

The Course is based on collaboration in conservation training and
research between several major institutions based in London.  On the
academic side these include the Royal College of Art and Imperial
College of Science, Technology & Medicine.  The majority of our
students are based in the Victoria & Albert Museum but we also have
current students based in the Horniman Museum and the Museum of
London.  The following studentships include training and research
opportunities based at the Tate Gallery as well as the V&A and the
Horniman Museum.

Materials & Methods in 20th Century Fine Art
MPhil full-time 2 years
MPhil part-time, minimum 3 years
convertible to PhD
1 place available

The Royal College of Art, Victoria & Albert Museum and Tate Gallery
are collaborating in research into the use of new materials by
artists in the first half of this century.

We have a place for one student, who will be primarily based in the
Tate Gallery Conservation Department.  This student will be
supervised by Tom Learner, a conservation scientist/conservator who
has been involved in analytical research of this kind for several
years.  The research will involve the study of 20th century
sculpture and paintings to determine how artists have employed new
mediums and pigments and how this affects the way their work
changes.

The Tate Gallery offers facilities for PY-GC-MS analysis of organic
materials which will be an important element of the research.  Other
analytical and microscopic techniques are accessible at the Tate and
through the V&A Conservation Department and other partners in
research.

Entry requirements: A scientific and/or conservation education which
has included some experience of analytical methods is required.  For
science graduates, a serious interest in the arts in general, and
modern fine art in particular, is essential.  For conservation
graduates, substantial analytical experience and scientific
knowledge of materials will be required.

Conservation of Ethnographic Material
MA, 2 or 3 years full-time.
1 place available.

Recent building work and refurbishment of major exhibition areas at
the Horniman means that the Museum is embarking on an exciting phase
of redevelopment.  A three year programme of reinstating displays of
the Ethnography collections will be taking place.  The redevelopment
will be in two concurrent phases:  the fitting out of the existing
South Hall Gallery with exhibitions mainly focussing on Africa and
the Americas (opening 1998) and redevelopment of  a second Gallery
encompassing the whole range of ethnographic specimens through the
eyes and collections of named collectors (opening 1999).  The
student will therefore be involved in the following activities,
working under the overall supervision of Louise Bacon, Head of
Collections Conservation & Care: *planning and management of a major
refurbishment project including showcase specification and testing
materials *practical conservation work on an important collection of
objects consisting of a wide range of objects in a variety of
complex combinations and appearances

    *   condition audits and reports, planning and prioritisation of
        work

    *   object analysis and examination both at the Museum and other
        institutions

    *   packing, storage and documentation at the Museum's Study
        Collections Centre

    *   the introduction of the LASSI documentation system and the
        development of the conservation record, particularly the
        condition audit.

These projects represent a unique opportunity for a student to
develop specialist skills, knowledge and experience in the analysis,
identification and conservation of ethnographic materials.  The work
at the Museum (in Forest Hill) and the Study Collections Centre (in
Greenwich) will constitute about 60% of the Course.  The balance of
the time will be spent on academic work using the facilities and
resources of the RCA/V&A Conservation Course based in South
Kensington.  There are likely to be opportunities for additional
work-experience in the Conservation Department of the V&A and
elsewhere.

Entry requirements: A candidate who has recently graduated from a
conservation course and has a fairly wide knowledge of materials
would be preferred. Equivalent training and experience in any aspect
of conservation might be acceptable providing it is supported by a
genuine interest in ethnographic collections. The length of the MA
will depend on previous training and experience.

Book Conservation:  Photograph Albums
2 year MA (full-time)
1 place available

The V&A holds an important collection of albums of a variety of
types and of many different constructions.  The responsibility for
the care, treatment and technical study of these albums rests with
the Book Conservation Section of the V&A Conservation Department.
Albums present many physical and ethical problems which are
different to those involved in the conservation of other types of
volumes.  Wishing to address these problems, the Book Section
offered a first studentship specialising in Albums which began in
1994.  This did not, however, include photograph albums.  The aim is
now to extend the work on albums through a studentship, based in the
V&A, focussing on photograph albums and on the Museum's collections.

The student will need to develop skills and knowledge across two
disciplines - book and photographic materials conservation.  While
primary supervision will be provided by Helen Shenton, Head of Book
Conservation, close collaboration and support will be provided by
Elizabeth Martin, Photographic Materials Conservator in the Paper
Conservation Section.  The student will have the opportunity to work
on a range of albums and to engage in study and research related to
the history, construction and conservation of albums and
photographs.

Entry requirements: The ideal candidate will have completed a first
degree in book conservation and have a specific interest in
photography.  Equivalent training, knowledge and experience is
acceptable but bookbinding skills are essential.

Funding for studentships: The majority of our UK students receive
bursaries which cover most of the College fees and a maintenance
award.  EU students are eligible for bursaries which cover most of
the College fees.  Overseas students are not eligible for College
bursaries and the fees are often prohibitively high for students
without substantial personal funding or sponsorship.

For the 20th Century Materials research studentship outlined above,
we have secured some sponsorship.  This should be sufficient to
guarantee funding of an EU or UK student to the same level as other
students on the Course but would not cover an overseas student. We
can also usually provide paid vacation work for students which would
bring the funding for this studentship to a level comparable with
research studentships in other institutions.

Deadlines: We need to act urgently to ensure selection for entry
next academic year. We are hoping to interview candidates on 17
June.  If you are interested in any of the above, please contact
Alan Cummings as soon as possible by mail, telephone, fax or email
for further information on how to apply.

Alan Cummings
Course Director
RCA/V&A Conservation Course

RCA:     +44 171-590-4484
    Fax: +44 171-590-4490
    Secretary at RCA (Sarah Dodman) +44 171-590-4483
V&A:     +44 171-938-8648
    Fax: +44 171-938-8661
School of Humanities
Royal College of Art
Kensington Gore
London SW7 2EU

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                 Conservation DistList Instance 10:103
                  Distributed: Wednesday, May 21, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-10-103-008
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