Art Conservation (MS)

The Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation is committed to addressing social equity in conservation education and to reduce barriers to our graduate program. Working with our faculty, students, alums, and other professional colleagues we aim to make our educational experiences more diverse and by extension, our profession.

To that end, we have reevaluated our admissions requirements recognizing that there are multiple ways to demonstrate a sustained commitment to the cultural heritage sector while also learning whether graduate conservation education is the best path forward. Academic and experiential requirements can be found in the following sections: Admissions Requirements, Application, and Interview and Portfolio. Please note: the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required.​​

Bachelor's Degree 

Applicants must have a BA, BFA, or BS (or the international equivalent) to apply from a regionally accredited college with an overall academic index (on a 4.0-point scale) of at least 2.5 and an index of 3.0 in their field of concentration. The latter figure is computed from the junior and senior years.

Applications to the program must be filed by January 15. Admission is selective and competitive based on the number of well qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission.

Required Courses

18 undergraduate semester credits in material culture-related studies

• Some examples include, but are not limited to anthropology, archaeology, art history, history, textile history, book history, museum studies, or library or information studies. Ideally three or more will be upper-level courses.

16 undergraduate science credits (4 courses)

• General Chemistry I and II (8 semester credits): 2 courses each with laboratory.
  
• Organic Chemistry (4 semester credits): 1 course with a laboratory.
  
• Survey courses for nursing, medical technology students, and other health professionals are accepted, in addition to courses designed for chemistry or biology majors.
  
• A fourth science course (4 semester credits). Some examples include, but are not limited to:
  • ​Biochemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Material science
  • Microbiology
  • Mineralogy
  • Organic Chemistry II
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Physical chemistry
  • Physics
  • Polymer science

4 courses in studio art, craft, or design

• Appl​icants may fulfill this requirement with either 3-credit academic courses or formal studio courses taught at museums or other community centers. These experiences can be enriched with additional hours at home or independently in a studio, as necessary and feasible. The goal for each studio art course is 72 hours of supervised or concentrated studio/at-home work. A distribution of at least one course in two-dimensional and one course in three-dimensional design is preferred; we will consider favorably different combinations of studio coursework. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
  • ​Architectural drawing 
  • Bookbinding/book arts
  • Ceramics
  • Drawing
  • Graphic design/CAD
  • Metalsmithing
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture
  • Textile/fashion arts
  • Videography
  • Woodworking

The curriculum of the first year provides students with an overview of the conservation field and its varied specialties: the history of art and artifact technology, the essential physical and chemical properties of materials, mechanisms of deterioration, the conservation treatment of cultural property, and the fundamentals of preventive conservation. At the end of the first year, students choose their major specialization. Specializations include furniture, library and archives, objects, paintings, paper, photographic materials, and textiles. Students in all specialties can also declare one additional concentration, such as preventive conservation.

In their second year, students focus on their specialty of choice with the objective of continuing to develop: basic hand skills, a thorough ability to examine and document the condition of cultural property, problem solving and ethical treatment decision making, and an understanding of the care and preservation of specialty objects.

The entire third year, or internship year, is spent under the supervision and mentoring of a conservation professional(s) at one or more host institution(s) or private laboratories, where students should function as cooperative and productive staff members. The fundamental objectives of this phase are to broaden students' exposure to specialty object problems and treatments, refine hand skills, build confidence in object assessment and decision-making, improve report-writing skills, and develop responsible professionalism.​

View a list of specializations

Curriculum Goals

Twelve courses, including an eleven-month internship and two 8-week summer work projects, give the student in-depth instruction in basic examination and treatment techniques. Credits, listed parenthetically after the course title, do not indicate the actual hours required to complete the course.

First Year, Science

ARTC 615 Properties and Structure of Art Materials I ​(3 credit hours, Fall semester)

This course explores the fundamental physical and chemical properties of art and cultural materials, ensuring a basic familiarity with their mechanical and chemical behavior, the causes and mechanisms of their deterioration, and the range of materials and processes used for their conservation and restoration. The fall semester emphasizes organic materials such as, proteins and cellulose, solvent theory, and polymer chemistry.

ARTC 616 Conservation Research Methods ​(3 credit hours, Spring semester)

This course explores the fundamental physical and chemical properties of art and cultural materials, ensuring a basic familiarity with their physical, mechanical and chemical behavior, the causes and mechanisms of their deterioration, and the range of materials and processes used for their conservation and restoration. The spring semester emphasizes inorganic materials such as metals, glass, ceramics, stone, pigments, plasters, and cements.

ARTC 670 Chemical and Physical Techniques Used in the Examination of Art Materials I ​(3 credit hours, Fall semester)

This course is designed to coordinate its content with material taught in the concurrent specialty-specific blocks, focusing on the conservation science applications most directly relevant to a specific material or discipline. Applied science topics in the fall semester may include fiber identification, alkaline reserve treatments, iron gall ink corrosion, wet-cleaning techniques for textiles, dye chemistry and analysis, and the mechanical properties of historic and modern fibers.

ARTC 671 Chemical and Physical Techniques Used in the Examination of Art Materials II (3 credit hours, Spring semester)

This course is designed to coordinate its content with material taught in the concurrent specialty-specific blocks, focusing on the conservation science applications most directly relevant to a specific material or discipline. Applied science topics in the spring semester may include corrosion chemistry, mechanisms of glass and bronze diseases, and cleaning metal, glass, and ceramics.

First Year, Block

ARTC 656 Conservation Principles 1 (6 credit hours, Fall semester)

This course is divided into a sequence of specialty-specific blocks that cover each major area of conservation plus principles of preventive conservation. During the fall semester, these typically include paper, textiles, organic objects, and books and library material. Students work with faculty members in each specialty, learn the basic techniques of object examination, study the causes of deterioration, gain experience recommending treatment options for a variety of conservation problems, and establish a foundation for general collections care. Examination and documentation techniques covered during the semester include polarized light microscopy, ultraviolet light examination, and digital photo documentation.

ARTC 657 ​Conservation Principles 2 (6 credit hours, Spring semester)

This course is divided into a sequence of specialty-specific blocks that cover each major area of conservation. During the spring semester, these typically include photographic materials, wooden artifacts, inorganic objects, and paintings conservation. Students work with faculty members in each specialty, learn the basic techniques of object examination, study the causes of deterioration, gain experience recommending treatment options for a variety of conservation problems, and establish a foundation for general collections’ care. Examination and documentation techniques covered during the semester include cross-section microscopy, x-radiography, and digital photo documentation.

Second Year, Science

ARTC 672 Chemical and Physical Techniques Used in the Examination of Art Materials III ​(3 credit hours, Fall semester)

During the second year, the student will gain a basic familiarity, hands-on experience, and fundamental understanding of the instrumental methods of analysis most commonly used in art conservation. In the first semester, specific emphasis will be placed on the spectroscopic techniques that are routinely employed in museum laboratories, including, for example, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. A technical analysis of an object of art will be undertaken in the second year with the student gaining individual mentoring and hands-on experience using instrumental methods of analysis to characterize the materials used to make and conserve objects of art. This will include experience interpreting data and working with complementary methods of analysis.

ARTC 673 Chemical and Physical Techniques Used in the Examination of Art Materials IV ​(3 credit hours, Spring semester)

During the second semester, the student will gain a basic familiarity and understanding of the chromatographic methods of analysis most closely related to conservation. Specific emphasis will be placed on the techniques that are most commonly found in museum laboratories, including, for example, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography. A technical analysis of an object of art will be undertaken in the second year with the student gaining hands-on experience using instrumental methods of analysis to characterize the materials used to make and conserve objects of art.

Second Year, Major Coursework

ARTC 658 Topics in Advanced Apprenticeship and Research in Conservation I ​(6 credit hours, Fall semester)

This course provides one-on-one instruction in one of the major areas of specialization, which consist of the following: furniture, library and archival materials, organic and inorganic objects, paintings, paper, photographs, preventive conservation, and textiles. One minor concentration, such as preventive conservation, may also be elected. Focusing on the chosen specialty, the course continues the development of basic hand skills, establishes a thorough ability to examine and document the condition of cultural property, hones problem-solving and ethical decision-making skills in treatments, and reinforces a solid understanding of the care and preservation issues within the specialty. Original works of art and artifacts are examined, studied, and treated in consultation with the responsible curator, institution, or owner as part of the course work.

ARTC 659 Topics in Advanced Apprenticeship and Research in Art Conservation II​ (6 credit hours, Spring semester)

This course provides one-on-one instruction in one of the offered major areas of specialization, which consist of the following: furniture, library and archival materials, organic and inorganic objects, paintings, paper, photographs, preventive conservation, and textiles. One minor concentration, such as preventive conservation or painted surfaces, may also be elected. Focusing on the chosen specialty, the course continues the development of basic hand skills, establishes a thorough ability to examine and document the condition of cultural property, hones problem-solving and ethical decision-making skills in treatments, and reinforces a solid understanding of the care and preservation issues within the specialty. Original works of art and artifacts are examined, studied, and treated in consultation with the responsible curator, institution, or owner as part of the course work.

Second Year, Seminar

ARTC 650 Seminar in Art Conservation (1 credit hour, Fall and Spring semesters)

As a means of developing their communication skills, students will present talks and write a report on their summer projects; in the spring visiting lecturers, chosen and hosted by the students, will speak on art conservation, curatorial decisions, and science, and faculty will conduct sessions on philosophy and ethics of conservation. Fall and Spring.

Second Year, Electives

Elective Course (3 credit hours)

During the second year of study, students must choose one three-credit elective course during the fall semester and one during the spring semester. Elective courses are meant to address a student’s individual interests or apply to a minor concentration. With approval of the major advisor, electives include course offerings in art conservation or in other relevant departments/programs at the University of Delaware, such as art history, anthropology, museum studies, chemistry, or history. Alternatively, students may opt to complete an independent study of their design (see ARTC 666).

ARTC 666 Independent Study (3 credit hours, Fall or Spring semester)

This course is designed by the student, under faculty supervision, to study cultural context, material science, conservation practice or history of technology. The student must submit a proposal to be approved by the supervising faculty member who will evaluate it for appropriate academic rigor and relevance to the student’s course of study.

Summer Work Projects

Each student completes two 8-week summer work projects during the first and second summer in the program. The work project locations are approved by the program to provide additional experiences in conservation principles and practice.

Applications must be made through the Graduate Studies Office at the University of Delaware using their online application. All application materials listed below must be uploaded electronically through this online platform. The application deadline is January 15, 2024.​

Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns to Danielle Kelley (dnkelley@udel.edu) in case technical assistance is needed submitting the application.

Three (3) Short-answer Questions

• How do you define material culture and why do you believe it should be preserved?
• How do you deal with adversity or challenges? This could be academic, professional, or personal. 
• Describe a situation when knowledge you gained in one context proved valuable in a different setting.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit 3 letters of recommendation. At least one of these letters should be from a practicing collections professional who has supervised the applicant's conservation work.

Applicants should ask recommenders to speak to some specific points below, giving examples where possible, in addition to commenting on their conservation skills and knowledge.

• Hand skills, spatial understanding
• Intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, and research skills
• Function in shared workspace (examples: work with shared equipment, clean space after using, comfort with teamwork)
• Communication skills
• Ability to give and receive constructive criticism and feedback
• Organization, attention to a focused task, multitasking, and time management
• Ability to work with others and independently

Transcript(s)
Tra​nscripts from all post-high school academic institutions must be uploaded to the online application. Unofficial transcripts or scans of official transcripts may be used. Do not mail official transcripts to the University of Delaware.

Courses and Conservation Experience Form

Indicate the required courses you have taken or will be taking in the spring semester and your conservation​ and/or collections care experience on Supplemental Form 1. You will need to obtain this form from the Art Conservation department. Please contact art-conservation@udel.edu.

Applicant Information Form

Fill out Supplemental Form 2​. You will need to obtain this form from the Art Conservation department. Please contact art-conservation@udel.edu.

Partnerships

We partner with 200+ museums, donors, and foundations to secure ongoing funding for our students.

We are grateful for the many federal agencies, foundations, corporations, membership organizations, and individuals who have generously supported the education and training of future conservation professionals. Our program is supported by grants from the Ahmanson Foundation, the Annette Kade Charitable Trust, the Bay Foundation, the Brunschwig & Fils Corporation, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, the Chichester duPont Foundation, Conservation Resources Inc., the Crystal Trust, Eastman Kodak Company, the Getty Foundation, the Gould Foundation, the Karen & Leo Gutmann Foundation, the Mellon Foundation,​ the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Nation​​al Society of The Colonial Dames of America, Nielsen Bainbridge Corporation, the International​ Questers, the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the Sloan Foundation, the Society of Winterthur Fellows, Tru Vue, UNIDEL Foundation, University Products Inc., the University of Delaware Office of Women Affairs, and a number of individual patrons and donors.

Questions?

Please get in touch with Debra Hess Norris, Chair Department of Art Conservation at dhnorris@udel.edu or Susan Behrens at behrens@udel.edu. 

Fellows must successfully complete all the required coursework, two summer work projects, and an eleven-month advanced internship. In addition, at the end of the internship, fellows are required to submit a portfolio of their Internship work, give a 25-minute oral presentation about the internship to their advisory committee, and pass an oral examination conducted by the student's advisory committee.

The University of Delaware and Winterthur Museum jointly sponsor the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation. Successful completion of the degree demands that students abide by the policies and rules of both institutions.

Because professional conservators are usually awarded access to museum collections and valued cultural property of all materials, it is expected that students will demonstrate the highest standards of honor, ethics, and academic integrity as defined by the University of Delaware Student Guide to University Policies , the University of Delaware Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog, the most recently approved American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice and the Code of Ethics of The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc.