Careers in Conservation
Interested in learning more about a career in conservation? Here are some resources for learning about a career in conservation.
What is conservation and what does a conservator do?
- What is conservation and what is a conservator? from the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).
- University of Washington Libraries Preservation Department for more on preservation and conservation at the UW Libraries.
-
Training and mentoring programs
- Become a conservator from the American Institute for Conservation.
- Graduate programs in conservation from the American Institute for Conservation.
- Emerging Conservation Professionals Network (ECPN): a group within the American Institute for Conservation that helps people entering the conservation field, from initial interest through graduate training and beyond.
Internships, workshops, and learning opportunities
- Summer conservation internship at the University of Washington, full-time (40 hours per week) for 10 weeks during the summer.
- Mellon Opportunity for Diversity in Conservation, 6-day summer workshop to introduce current students and recent graduates from historically underrepresented groups to the field of conservation.
- Connecting to Collections Care offers regular webinars as well as archived webinars for learning on your own.
- Global Conservation Forum, a resource open to anyone where internships, jobs, and current news about conservation can be found.
- UW Libraries Preservation Research Guide for additional resources.
National and international conservation organizations
- American Institute for Conservation (AIC): National professional organization for conservators and allied professionals in the United States.
- International Institute for Conservation (IIC): International group promoting conservation of cultural materials. Different geographical countries or regions have subgroups within the organization.
- Canadian Association of Professional Conservators (CAPC): Canadian national organization promoting high standards in the conservation of cultural heritage.
- The Institute of Conservation (ICON): Professional organization to support and represent heritage conservation in the UK.
- Western Association for Art Conservation (WAAC): Professional organization for conservators in the western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.