Art Conservation
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
Welcome
The Department of Art Conservation at the University of Delaware offers world-class programming dedicated to training future conservators of artistic and cultural heritage. Our interdisciplinary curriculum combines hands-on studio work with advanced study in chemistry, material science, art history, and conservation theory. Students gain extensive experience treating a wide range of artifacts including paintings, sculptures, textiles, books, photographs, and archaeological objects. With state-of-the-art instructional laboratories and strong ties to major museums, the Department of Art Conservation produces leaders in the field who go on to prestigious positions preserving the world's cultural treasures for generations to come. Whether your passion is modern and contemporary art or ancient artifacts, our program provides the comprehensive training needed to become an expert in this highly specialized profession.
Why Art Conservation?
- Unique Undergraduate Experience: The University of Delaware is the only university in the nation to offer courses taught by multiple conservators at the undergraduate level, providing an unparalleled mentorship experience with an average of six conservation professors per student.
- World-Class Master's and Doctoral Programs: The Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC) is renowned for its three-year graduate curriculum designed to educate and train conservation professionals in the examination, analysis, stabilization, treatment, and sustainable preservation of heritage collections through specialization in eight conservation disciplines. The Preservation Studies Doctoral Program (PSP) is an interdisciplinary course of study in the philosophies, research methodologies, and policies informing the preservation of art and cultural heritage — distinct in its approach combining cross-field expertise toward doctoral study in preservation.
- Exciting Internship Opportunities: Students in the Art Conservation program have opportunities to intern at a wide variety of institutions around the world, gaining specialized knowledge and skills in the arts, sciences, and other fields, and developing the valuable hand, communication, and critical-thinking skills necessary to be responsible custodians of cultural heritage and cultural exchange.
75%
of art conservation undergrads work in collections care post-graduation.
Graduates
of all three art conservation programs work in 44 states, Washington, D.C. and more than 30 countries.
Partnerships
we partner with 200+ museums, donors, and foundations to secure ongoing funding for our students.
Uniquely UD: Art Conservation
YouTube Link: Uniquely UD: Art Conservation: youtube.com/watch?v=aZEAR-UZHVQ
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Art conservation and historical journeys
November 15, 2024 | Written by CAS StaffTwo copper alloy discs, likely pieces of metal hardware that would have been affixed to a portion of armor or horse gear, are a second-year treatment project for WUDPAC Fellow and objects major Leah Palmer. -
Student Blog: International Conservation Services
November 07, 2024 | Written by CAS StaffIn this blog post, WUDPAC Class of 2025 Fellow Gianna Puzzo talks about her exciting third-year internship placement at International Conservation Services in Sydney, Australia, working on sustainable and collaborative heritage preservation projects at regional museums and national archives. -
Hopewell Museum Reimagines Conservation
November 07, 2024 | Written by CAS StaffWUDPAC Class of 2026 Preventive Conservation major Binh-An Nguyen spent her summer internship at the Hopewell Museum leading a textile and garment recovery project as a part of the museum’s Reimagination plan. -
Student Blog: Museum of Modern Art
November 07, 2024 | Written by CAS StaffIn this blog post, WUDPAC Class of 2025 Fellow Emily Landry talks about starting her third-year internship at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, working with the museum’s conservators to study and preserve iconic pieces of modern art.
