HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A Canadian secondary-school student often starts by taking art, history, chemistry, biology, and other detail-focused courses. Many then choose a college or university program related to museum studies, museum management, gallery work, or art history, sometimes with conservation-related training or electives. Some gain early experience through volunteer work, internships, or entry-level museum or gallery jobs to learn how objects are handled, documented, stored, and displayed. Others build skills in research, careful observation, and hands-on work with artworks and historical objects before moving into conservator roles. Requirements can vary by employer, province, and specialization.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Examine artifacts, determine their condition, suggest methods for treating them and recommend preventive conservation techniques to their owners
- Restore and conserve paintings, photographs, sculptures, furniture, pottery and other museum and art gallery artifacts
- Provide advice on display and storage of museum and gallery artifacts to ensure proper maintenance and preservation
- Research new conservation and restoration techniques
- Provide consultation to museums, art galleries or private individuals
- Supervise conservation technicians and other museum technicians.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Customer ServiceKnowledge of historyOrganizational SkillsResearching