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Professional
Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers |
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Introduction Conservation Practitioners Conservation draws its methods from diverse sources: arts, crafts, humanities and sciences, all in varying proportions. To the outsider, the similarities between the work of conservators are far greater than the differences necessitated by the objects they work on. However, different schools of conservation represented by different bodies have emerged, reflecting the importance accorded to each aspect. The diversity of response of the various bodies has resulted in a wide range of routes into the field, with training being provided at post-graduate and graduate level, through short courses, apprenticeships and self-instruction. All these routes have produced conservators of acknowledged quality, with conservation benefiting from the diversity of background and approach. In setting standards for conservators, the range of necessary qualities must be defined and then the threshold of achievement set for these qualities, even though the diversity makes agreeing common standards difficult. In evaluating conservators, it is necessary to use a methodology that can include the different schools of conservation Professionalism Professionalism is changing. Its role as protector of the practitioner is becoming less important while its role as protector the public and its values is becoming crucial. There is a recognition that the acquisition of functional skills is only part of being professional. As important are the values which underpin the work and the compromises needed to satisfy society's real needs. Becoming a professional is a continuing process throughout one's working life. Recognising the continual learning and reassessment of methods and values is part of the process. A durable system therefore must include the need for continuous professional development in line with these expectations. Development of PACR The development of PACR was funded by the three sponsoring bodies (United Kingdom Institute for Conservation, Institute for Paper Conservation and Society of Archivists) and supported considerably by the Museums and Galleries Commission (MGC), Historic Scotland, The Pilgrim Trust, and the Radcliffe Trust, with three representatives from each of the three bodies and monitors from the Conservation Forum, now the National Council for Conservation-Restoration, and Historic Scotland. A consultant (Stan Lester Developments) was employed to develop the standards and the methodology for professional accreditation and in doing so guided the group through the process. Considerable consultation with practitioners, training organisations, users and regulators was carried out during the development. Management of the Accreditation System The system itself is owned by NCC-R and managed by the bodies using it. All those accredited by the bodies will be accorded the right to use the designation "Accredited Conservator-Restorer" and the logo of NCC-R, and will be subject to the discipline of the professional body. In order to produce a nucleus of professional conservators, the bodies carried out during 1999 a rigorous "fast track" accreditation of experienced conservators, who will set the standards and assist in the training, assessment and accreditation of aspiring professional conservators. Benefits The purpose of a profession is to provide quality assurance for the public in a transparent manner. We believe that the PACR system is robust, raising and sustaining standards of service. It is a novel approach to professionalisation which will evolve over time. Its success will depend first on the profession's ability to maintain the standards. However, it is up to users to demand that conservation services, both within and outside the public sector, reach the high standards of PACR. The acceptance of PACR accredited conservators will grow over the coming months and years, improving the care of our heritage. |
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| Page created and maintained by Adrian Tribe |
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Last
modified: Tuesday 04 July 2000
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