RCA/V&A Conservation Course

Opportunities for Training and Research in Conservation 1999/2000
Royal College of Art/Victoria and Albert Museum Joint Course in
Conservation

The RCA/V&A Joint Course in Conservation is a unique collaboration
between three world-class London institutions: the Royal College of
Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Imperial College of
Science, Technology and Medicine. Together they can offer unrivalled
resources for the conservation and study of museum objects. Students
may train for a career as a specialist conservator or conduct
sustained research in a broad range of subject areas in the working
environment of a major museum, leading to a prestigious RCA degree.

The Course, which was established in 1989, currently has twenty-four
full- and part-time students. Most are based in the V&A, but some
are based in other collaborating London institutions. Each student
works in a different field and has a different background.
Conservation itself is developing rapidly. The Course aims to
respond by providing, as far as possible, tailor-made studentships
which serve the needs of both the individual and the profession. It
is important to note that disciplines in which we invite
applications (the Options) vary from year to year.

Options for 1999/2000

MA Ceramics and Glass Conservation: Reverse-Painted Glass (2 years)

    Books Conservation: Albums and Sketchbooks (Photo albums
    preferred) (2 years)

    Conservation of Ethnographic Materials--with possible emphasis
    on musical instruments--in collaboration with the Horniman
    Museum (2 or 3 years)

    Conservation of Social History Objects--in collaboration with
    the Museum of London (2 or 3 years)

    Conservation Science--in collaboration with The British Museum
    (2 or 3 years)

MPhil/PhD

    Applications for research degrees are invited in a number of
    areas on which the Course wishes to concentrate. In some of
    these a particular subject may be identified. Candidates may
    also bring their original proposals to us for discussion.

    Management and Risk Assessment: The impact of social functions on
    the contents of historic building--collaboration with English
    Heritage (with scholarship)

    Technical Study of Objects: Non-invasive methods for wood
    identification

    Technical Study of Objects: Materials and techniques of drawings
    on paper (to be confirmed)

    History and Ethics of Conservation

    20th-Century Materials in Art, Craft and Design: Historical
    research

    Applications of Computers in Conservation

NB: These research options are the ones where we particularly
welcome applications in 1999/00. The other research themes we have
identified and in which we will consider individual proposals are:
Methods of Display; Metal Patination; and Conservation Treatments:
Surface Studies.

Note: MA degrees are for 2 or 3 year full-time depending on previous
training and experience. MPhil/PhD degrees are for a minimum of 2
years full-time. Part-time study is available for MPhil and PhD.

Contact: Preliminary enquiries are welcome. Please do not apply
without contacting us for advice on admission requirements, funding,
and how to make an application. You will find more information on
the Course web site <URL:http://www.conservation.rca.ac.uk/>

First enquiries to:

    Sarah Dodman, Course Secretary,
    RCA/V&A Joint Course in Conservation
    Royal College of Art
    Kensington Gore,
    London SW7 2EU GB
    Tel. +44 171 590 4483
    Fax. +44 171 590 4490
    s.dodman [at] rca__ac__uk

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:57
                 Distributed: Tuesday, January 12, 1999
                       Message Id: cdl-12-57-010
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