Module Identifier MG20210  
Module Title PREVENTATIVE CONSERVATION AND COLLECTION CARE  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Mr Robert K Meyrick  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Mrs Belinda J Marking, Mr Neil A Holland  
Pre-Requisite MG10120  
Co-Requisite MG20110  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   4 x 1.5 hrs  
  Lecture   x 8  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Project  50%
Semester Assessment Essay  50%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. to make informed choices when choosing a conservator
2. beware aware of the considerations for packing, handling, and transportation of works of art
3. identify possible hazards and the risks to the collections inside and outside the museum environment
4. articulate ideas about the role of the conservator
5. undertake a condition report
6. plan a secure and environmentally controlled exhibition space
7. prepare works of art for transportation

Relation to assessment:

Project (2,4,5,6), Essay (3,4)
The project provides the opportunity for students to apply all the practical skills learned on the module and the essay is a means to assess the students? sure handling of the technical terminology, issues surrounding preventative conservation, and environmental control.


Brief description

An introduction to the conservation of collections and examination of conservation issues associated with restoration, display, exhibition, packaging and transport. The course will involve visits to conservation studios such as Liverpool Conservation Centre, the National Museum of Wales, and various private/commercial studios. Good practice for the storage of collecitons is identified, and the role that the curator may play in preventative conservation is discussed. Special reference will be made to oil paintings, works of art on paper, wood, textiles and ceramics. Methods of environemntal control and monitoring of the museum are also demonstrated; hazards and the risks to works of art inside and outside the museum are explained. By the end of the module students will be able to make informed choices when coosing a conservator

Aims

1. examine issues that surround the preservation and conservation of museum artefacts
2. discuss issues specifically related to the conservation of oil paintings and works of art on paper
3. stress the importance of preventative conservation, in all its various aspects
4. introduce methods of environmental control and monitoring in the museum
5. define good practice for storage of collections

Content

Transferable skills

1. Independent project work

Reading Lists

Books
Simon Knell(editor) (1994) Care of Collections Routledge, London
Garry Thomson (1995) The Museum Environment Butterowrkth-Heinemann, London
Museums Association (1992) Manual of Curatorship Butterworths, London
Nicholas Stanley Price, M Kirby Talley Jr, Alessandro Melucco Vaccaro (eds.) (1996) Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles

Journals
Museums Association Museum Practice 'Storage', Issue 1, Vol 1 March 1996, 'Environment', Issue 4, Vol.2, No 1 1997'Lighting, Issue 6, Vol.2 No.3, 1997, 'Security', Issue 8, Vol.3, No2, 1998

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5