If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for a career change. If that’s the case and you happen to be an art restorer, then this article is for you!
If not, then it might still be useful because art restoration is a great way to make your living doing something you love. Below, we’ll cover some tips for landing your dream job as an art restorer:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Pursue education in art history and fine arts. |
| 2. Gain specialized training in conservation techniques. |
| 3. Seek internships or apprenticeships for hands-on experience. |
| 4. Develop skills in chemistry for understanding materials. |
| 5. Stay updated on industry trends and networking events. |
Do A Lot Of Research
When searching for a job as an art restorer, it’s important to do your research and find out exactly what the qualifications are.
For example, in the UK you will need at least two years of experience working as an art restorer or conservator. You also need to have completed a degree in conservation studies or equivalent training.
Some more points to cover in this section are:
- Speak to local restoration companies and find out what language skills they need from their staff members
- Look up different types of art restorers (e.g., picture framers) so that you can understand how their jobs differ from those of other artists
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Get The Right Qualifications
To become an art restorer, you will need to have a qualification in restoring art. The best way to get these qualifications is through a course at university or college. There are many different types of courses available and they range from one year to three years long.
Bachelor’s degrees in Art Restoration & Conservation: These last three years and include a mix of practical training and academic study. Bachelor’s degrees will give you the necessary knowledge, skills and experience that employers are looking for when hiring new staff members.
Master’s degrees in Art Restoration & Conservation: These last two years and usually focus on research rather than practical training (though some may include both).
A master’s degree can help you gain specialist knowledge that sets you apart from other applicants when applying for jobs at top restoration companies or museums around the world.
Postgraduate certificates/diplomas in Art Restoration & Conservation: These last one year but do not usually offer any kind of teaching staff support or assessment structure; instead students must plan their own studies according to their personal interests.
Foundation degrees in Art Restoration& Conservation – Foundation degrees often provide access to higher education courses such as bachelor’ or master’ Degrees at universities or colleges.
Short courses – Short courses provide an opportunity for people who have little previous experience within their field but still want some kind of career path within it by providing them with basic knowledge about what goes into certain types
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Learn A Foreign Language
Learning a foreign language is a must for art restorers. It can help you communicate with your clients, read old texts and understand the history of art.
In my experience, the most useful languages are French, German and Italian. These three languages are widely spoken in Europe, where most of the historic pieces are kept. You might also want to learn Spanish because it’s used by many people in Latin America.
If you don’t have much time for studying or money for taking private classes (which is quite expensive), there are some free apps like Duolingo that will help you learn a new language in your spare time when commuting from work or school/college/university etc..
Gain Work Experience
If you’re looking to become an art restorer, work experience can help you understand the field better. It will also help you build a network of contacts and gain confidence in your skills, which is important when it comes time to apply for jobs.
When considering how much work experience you need, think about your goals: If your goal is simply to gain knowledge of the field and its techniques including how they were used in different eras then one year might be sufficient.
However, if your goal is more specific for example, learning how restoration techniques have evolved over time or gaining hands-on experience with various materials then two or three years would likely be better for helping achieve that goal.
In general, though, any amount of time spent working as an assistant at an established studio will be useful because it will give you insight into what goes on during a restoration project from start to finish (and hopefully make this process less intimidating!).
Put In Some Volunteering Time
Volunteering in the field where you want to work is a great way of getting experience. You can volunteer at a museum, art gallery, library, or even an auction house if it’s related to your field.
You’ll learn about the inner workings of these organizations and gain valuable insight into what it takes to run an organization like this.
Working as a volunteer will also help you get your foot in the door at these places – many employers look for volunteers who have already worked in their industry before making offers for paid positions.
Volunteering also gives you an opportunity not only to learn more about the job but also meet people who might be able to recommend you for future jobs or provide references when applying for those positions.
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If Possible, Do An Internship Or Work Placement Abroad
As an art restorer, you’ll be working with incredibly valuable objects. That means there is a lot of money involved, and the companies that employ you will be keen to protect their investment.
To do this, any employer will want to be sure that you have the necessary skills for your job and can continue to grow in your field.
The best way for them to assess this is by seeing how well you work with objects in real-life situations and if possible, it’s even better if they see this during a placement abroad.
If you are doing an internship or work placement abroad as part of your degree course or university coursework then this will look great on your CV when applying for jobs in the future.
If possible try contacting museums or galleries overseas who have already expressed interest in hiring people with experience in restoration (see below).
Put Together An Impressive CV And Showcase Your Talent With A Good Portfolio
After you’ve done your research, the next step is to put together an impressive CV and portfolio. How do you get this right?
First, tailor your CV to the job you’re applying for. You want it to highlight all of the relevant experience and skills that relate to the position as well as any languages that may be required in that job.
Second, don’t forget about having a strong online presence! LinkedIn is always a safe bet but there are many other social media platforms that can be used effectively when applying for jobs – such as Instagram or Snapchat (remember those?).
Start Job Hunting Early
One of the most important things you can do is start your job search as early as possible. The longer you wait, the more competition will apply to those jobs and the less likely it is that you’ll get one.
Additionally, if you wait too long, it might be harder for you to remember what exactly made up your resume or even why it was important for you to begin with!
The earlier that we begin our efforts towards reaching a goal (such as landing our dream job) will always lead us closer than later attempts regardless of how much effort we put in at this point.
Because there’s still room left over within which we can improve ourselves by learning new skills or becoming more familiar with our current ones before making another run at achieving success in whatever field interests us most right now.
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Consider Doing An Apprenticeship. It’s A Win-Win Situation
If you’re looking for a job in the art restoration field, consider doing an apprenticeship. It’s a win-win situation: You get paid to learn, you get the training and qualification that will look good on your resume, and you can even gain valuable work experience with a museum or company.
There are many options available when it comes to where you’ll study: Your local area if there is a course nearby. A university in another city. An international school abroad perhaps one already connected with your collection (or department).
If none of these options suit you, there are plenty of other ways to get started as an apprentice.
Find Out About Funding Opportunities To Pay For Training, Courses, And Placements
Training and qualifications. It’s important to get the necessary training, courses and placements in order to have a competitive edge when applying for art restoration jobs.
Funding opportunities. There are often funding opportunities for those who are interested in pursuing a career as an art restorer, so it pays to do some research on these before you apply for any positions as they could be what makes or breaks your application.
Networking skills. You need good networking skills in order to get ahead in this industry because there are many people who want the same job as yourself and so you will need every advantage possible if you want yours to stand out from the crowd!
Flexibility/adaptability/proactivity: To adapt well enough and quickly enough (and survive!) when working with older or damaged pieces of art work which can vary significantly between each other due to their different materials used back then compared with now.
It would be best if you were flexible about how things should happen; this means being able also willing too adapt ideas & approaches based on new information obtained during research stages etcetera…
Keep Your Options Open
If you’re wondering how to become an art restorer, it’s important to keep your options open. While you may be drawn to the idea of restoring paintings or working with museum-quality pieces of art, there are many different types of restoration jobs that exist.
You might want to consider librarian or archivist positions as well these can be just as fascinating and rewarding!
You might also find some unexpected ways in which this career path could prove its value in your life. For instance: once upon a time I had my heart set on becoming a professional interior designer (closet organization was my specialty).
But then one day I saw a documentary on PBS about people who restore old houses and I knew right away that would be an area where my talents would flourish!
Art Restorers Need A Mix Of Skills, Passion, And Practicality
You need to be able to work under pressure. This is a fast-paced, deadline-driven field that requires you to keep an eye on the clock and prioritize your tasks accordingly. If you’re not accustomed to working with deadlines, this may not be the job for you!
You need to know your materials well enough so that when the last minute rolls around, you don’t have time for mistakes or confusion about which restoration materials are best for each job.
You also need knowledge of how each material works in order to apply it appropriately, for example, knowing how long oil needs drying time before painting over it (and being sure not to rush into applying paint without checking first).
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Conclusion
If you can put together a CV and portfolio that demonstrates your passion for art, as well as practical skills in the field, then you’ll be on your way to landing that dream job.
But remember: it takes time! So don’t give up if the first few jobs you apply for aren’t successful there are plenty more out there waiting for someone like you
Further Reading
Explore these additional resources to learn more about pursuing a career as an art restorer:
Indeed – Job Description: Art Restorer A comprehensive job description for an art restorer, outlining the skills and responsibilities required for the role.
Skillshare Blog – How to Become an Art Conservator Discover the steps to becoming an art conservator, from education and training to preserving cultural heritage.
University of Florida Online – 6 Steps to Your Dream Job A guide outlining six crucial steps to help you achieve your dream job, including strategies for career advancement and growth.
FAQs
What is the role of an art restorer?
An art restorer is responsible for preserving and restoring artworks, ensuring their longevity and maintaining their aesthetic value.
What qualifications are needed to become an art conservator?
Typically, a bachelor’s degree in art history, fine arts, or a related field is required, along with specialized training in conservation techniques.
How do I prepare for a career as an art restorer?
To prepare for a career as an art restorer, focus on developing skills in art history, chemistry, and fine arts. Gaining hands-on experience through internships or apprenticeships is also crucial.
What does the process of art restoration involve?
Art restoration involves careful examination, cleaning, repairing, and conserving artworks. This process requires knowledge of different materials and techniques.
How can I advance in the field of art restoration?
Continuing education, attending workshops, and staying updated on the latest conservation methods are essential for career growth as an art restorer. Networking within the industry can also open up opportunities.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.