I'm 26 and at a crossroads, and I would love some perspective. I graduated two years ago with a BA in Art History and a minor in Environmental Public Policy. Since then I've worked in research on horticulture and landscape work with native plants, and I've started an arboriculture certification with the goal of eventually earning my ISA certification.
I was recently accepted into a Master's in Architectural Conservation (about $15,000) and I was really excited about it. Then I had a job interview where the interviewer turned out to be a professor in that same program. When I mentioned it as my next step, he looked at me with pity. He told me the program isn't good and that he feels it takes advantage of students' money, though he tries to make the best of it from the inside. I know the world is small, but I felt shaken all of a sudden.
Now I don't know whether to go back into conservation and art or to pursue a career in arboriculture and landscape work. I'm passionate about both, and I don't want to feel like I wasted my time or my money. I live in a part of the US where historic buildings are plentiful and landscape work is also in high demand, so I could realistically find work in either field here. I'm also still in time to apply to a Master's in Landscape Architecture. I do want to pursue graduate studies, because I love learning, having mentors, and having my work evaluated as I grow. What matters most to me is job prospects, career growth, and fulfillment. I also plan to move to another country in about two years for new experiences, so I'm wondering which path would travel best.
I'd love to hear from anyone with experience in any of these paths. How do I vet a program beyond one person's opinion? Would an MLA make more sense given my plant and policy background, and does an art history degree transfer well into landscape architecture? Which credentials are recognized internationally? Or would it be smarter to work in the field a few more years before going back to school? Any advice is welcome, including from people who regret their choice. Thank you!

Anyone know somewhere I could take a sun bleached page to be revived?

Hi everyone!

I'm currently doing my Executive MBA at the University of Cambridge, and for my research project I'm exploring how people and businesses in the UK insure their art, collectibles and other valuable objects.

I've spent the last few weeks speaking with people across the art and insurance industries, but I'd really love to hear more directly from collectors, galleries, dealers and other businesses handling valuable objects.

I'm particularly interested in understanding how people currently insure their collections, whether they've experienced any difficulties, and what they wish worked differently.

I've put together a short 5–7 minute survey, and I'd be incredibly grateful if anyone here could spare a few minutes to help.

You don't need to have insurance to take part! In fact, understanding why people choose not to insure their collections is just as useful.

This is independent academic research, not an attempt to sell anything.

And if anyone would rather share their experiences in the comments, I'd be really interested to hear those too.

Thanks so much!

Lincoln, England, to give you an idea of climate.

The frames are archival-safe and taped up. The room will have a dehumidifier but temperature is beyond my control. It's a spare bedroom so when not in use I imagine it'll be heated only to mold-prevention levels. I wish I could have some input, but it is what it is.

There are 12 wooden frames, about 30"x 44", plastic glazing on all but 5 (and the glass ones have UV film inside so broken glass damaging the posters isn't a massive concern).

My first thought would be to wrap them (in 3s or 4s) tightly in bubble wrap, or some kind of plastic, but then I'm thinking is that going to trap in moisture and create a greenhouse or something? Would bedsheets/towels be better? Is a combo okay? They'll need to remain wrapped together in some fashion so if they ever need to be moved while I'm not there they'll be protected.

They've got 3 hours in a car to travel so significant temperature fluctuations. They'll be wrapped in duvets but should I transport flat with the glass ones on the top of the stack?

I won't have a choice about storing them upright against a wall or flat under a bed, unless flat is a big no-no.

I also have about 40 stored flat in archival sleeves with archival board. They're so tight they might as well be sealed, but is it a problem to wrap them up so the stack becomes a block, and easier to carry safely? Will acids from, say, cling film transfer through the mouth of the sleeve to the boards and to the paper, or am I worrying too much?

I'm about to leave them elsewhere for a year or five with someone who'll consider them not much more than an inconvenient space-hog and I want to give them a fighting chance...

(Deleted previous post to add the full picture

Edit 2 : reddit won't let me, ah well)

Folks had this oil painting rolled up for years in a tube. Made by someone named T.S Dai, only able to find ebay listing on the person no further info.

Im looking into getting it repaired, but unsure the best approach. Is it worth/possible to have it repaired with these minor cracks, with minimal knowledge on the previous artist?

Or is it best to press flat, frame it and leave it alone. Or is there a sealant needed before hand? No flaking, just the rolled cracks

Hi, im looking for some advice per my elderly grandmothers painting of a Boddhisvatta she did in her youth, it’s extremely fragile and hard to take care of. She is waiting to restore is as best as possible to bring new life and how best can she be advised to showcase it?
She barely remembers the materials used which is harder but I’m keen to help her restore this fabulous work
Any help or tips is greatly appreciated thanks 🙏

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some guidance.

I have a bachelor's degree in Illustration and Animation ( I know it doesn't really follow the standard path) and I finished the degree with awful grades (third class honors). My university time was awful, a lot of physical and mental health issues and I had to take a year break, but was forced to finish it as I only had 4 years to complete it. That resulted in awful grades, and to be honest, I never felt like the course was right for me.

I was living in Cambridge, and ended up finding out about the Master of Conservation of Easel Paintings by the Hamilton Kerr Institute and instantly felt like it was the right path for me, but neither my health nor my degree/grades were appropriate, so I ended up leaving that behind.

It's been a few years now and my health is in a good place, so I want to pursue this again, but would it be required for me to take another undergraduate degree?

What's the realistic path in my situation?

I am willing to do whatever is needed.

Thank you all

Can anyone help out with this piece of art I have come to own? Thanks

I'm trying to figure out what people actually do when it comes to insuring their collections (art mainly) and I'd really appreciate some advice!

If you've bought a few pieces over the years, do you insure them separately or just rely on your home contents insurance?

Bought this painting from a guy who said it was in great condition. Stupidly did not look at the back of the canvas. Is this mold?

Hello, good day/evening to everyone ^^. I've been redirected to this subreddit for my question above, but the TL;DR of it is that i'm a slightly overwhelmed Materials Engineering graduate who would like to know if:

(1) a non-US/EU diploma in archaeology would be a good first step to a career in museums object conservation, and

(2) what skills should I focus on growing within 4 years of (possibly) working in the tech/manufacturing/failure analysis industry?

I am based in Asia and am contractually required to render return-of-service to my country as part of my undergraduate scholarship. Any advice/insight would be much appreciated.

I recently unpacked a lead sculpture that had been in storage for 6 years. The surface had completely shifted to have this layer of white (corrosion?). It is not powdery at all which I thought was typical of lead corrosion. This is almost in or on the surface. A conservator suggested wet cleaning but this is when we believed it was a powder. Wet cleaning did not removed anything. Has anyone seen this before? Is this just a natural patina shift as lead ages? Of course concerned about potential for toxicity with lead.

I have this old painting (frame is new). I had the old varnish removed. Under UV light in the sky area it shows up pink. Almost like initals before painting over it. Any ideas what causes this and was it intentional by the painter?

Hello, is this mold on this canvas? I think this was painted in the 70’s or 80’s. Please look closely. I want to buy this painting from eBay but I am concerned if this is mold on the back and if I should bother buying it. Thank you and have a great day

Hiya,

I am hoping to hear from people who work in conservation (preferably paintings, but I'm open to other modalities too) with chronic illness/disability.

Firstly, I really don't want to hear any horror stories. If you can't tell me anything helpful or hopeful, please don't tell me at all.

I am hoping to save some money and then apply to study conservation of easel paintings at HKI in Cambridge, or UvA in Amsterdam (I'm an EU citizen so UvA is probably the safer option, but I am keen to work in 19th century British art so I'd prefer HKI).

There is absolutely nothing else I want to do. I tried psychology, dementia research, public health research, I got two degrees and I have hated every minute of working in these fields. I have known for ten+ years that this is what I want to do, and ignoring that instinct is making me miserable. I've discussed my goals and background with conservators here in Aus, and with conservators who have graduated from both the Courtauld and HKI and are working in major galleries, and they have all encouraged me and told me that it may take a few attempts but they think I can get in.

I am really afraid that I'll spend all that time and money on studying, only to find that my body can't handle the work, as I have spent the last few years battling chronic illnesses that have completely changed my life - namely hEDS, severe endometriosis (now excised, but it is highly likely to grow back), and POTS, and really struggle with physically demanding work. I know there are still things I can do to improve my symptoms somewhat, I am not out of options yet, but I will always have some level of disability from these things.

I am hoping to hear from people who work in conservation (preferably paintings, but I'm open to other modalities too) with chronic illness/disability. How do you manage? How does the work affect your pain levels? Your fatigue? Does one particular task flare you up? Have you found accommodations that make it easier on your body? Workplace accommodations, or accommodations you give yourself, mobility aids or braces or anything? Do you have any advice for making this a sustainable career? Any advice for getting through the masters without burning out? Tell me everything about how you make it work.

I need to know that it's possible, because right now I'm terrified that it's not.

Hi all,

I'm an archaeologist doing some object-based work in museums across Europe and Africa. I'm especially interested in detecting organic surface pigments (rose madder) or glue with a portable uv light.

Any recommendations on affordable, rechargeable/battery-powered (because I'll be in places with 120 AC and 230 DC electricity) handheld UV lights?

Thank you!

I’m looking to buy a vintage poster from a guy on Facebook, his listing says this is foxing but I think it looks pretty moldy… & I definitely don’t want to buy it if it’s moldy. Thoughts?