Fundamentals of the Conservation of Photographs
Module 1: Summer School
July 21–August 8, 2008

The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), the Academy of Fine Art and Design (AFAD) and the Slovak National Library (SNL) are pleased to announce a three-module course, Fundamentals of the Conservation of Photographs, designed to support the development of the field of photograph conservation in central, southern and eastern Europe. The complete project description can be found on the Getty Web site.

Course Description and Methodology

	Scientific analysis of Durieu photographs. Photo: Dusan Stulik

Fundamentals of the Conservation of Photographs will provide participants with both the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to care for the range of photographic materials found in the collections of museums, libraries, archives, and other repositories. The course has been designed to provide learning and practical experience in both classroom and workplace settings over a period of nine months. This combination of theoretical and hands-on training allows participants to build a strong understanding of photographic materials and processes, the deterioration mechanisms associated with them, and the appropriate conservation strategies that will assure their long-term preservation.

Fundamentals of the Conservation of Photographs will be offered as a series of three complementary modules, with each module focusing on a related series of topics. Each module of the course will consist of two parts:

The first part is a summer school of three-four weeks duration that will take place at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Slovak Republic. The summer school will combine theoretical teaching with practical, hands-on experience.

	Slovak Legation to Monarch, March 20, 1849. Photo: Courtesy of the Archive of Literature and Art (ATA) of the Slovak National Library

The module's second part is a series of practical distance learning activities that participants will carry out in their own institutions over an eight month period, guided by course instructors and mentors. During the distance learning portion of each module, participants will spend approximately ten hours each month pursuing assignments that will allow them to apply the concepts and information presented during the summer school to their own collections. Each month, participants will submit work reports to instructors through the course Website and in return will receive advice and additional information. The course Website will also allow participants to share information with one another and to take part in joint assignments and projects.

The first two modules will focus on the identification of photographic materials and processes, their history, deterioration characteristics, and the preventive conservation, documentation, and collection management strategies that can safeguard collections. In combination, these two modules of the course will provide a strong foundation for understanding and managing large photograph collections. For this reason, participants are encouraged to take part in both modules. Participants of these two modules will include librarians, archivists, curators, conservators, and other professionals with responsibility photograph collections.

The third and final module of the series will focus on conservation treatment options for specific types of deteriorated photographic materials. Participation in this module is open to conservators who have either completed both of the first two modules, or who can demonstrate prior training and experience in the topics covered by these modules.

Please note that each module requires a separate application. Applications for new modules will be available each year after January 1.

Content of the Three Course Modules

Instructors

	Scientific analysis of photograph. Photo: Dennis Keeley

Instructors for the course are leaders in the field of photograph conservation. Most of the instructors will take part in both the summer school and distance learning portions of each module.

Criteria for Participation

Participants will be drawn from museums, libraries and archives in Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

All participants of module one and two of Fundamentals of the Conservation of Photographs will have at least an undergraduate degree (BA or BSc) and academic and professional qualifications in conservation, library and archives management, museum studies, photography, or a closely related field. In addition, participants will have at least five years of work experience, as well as responsibility for a photograph collection. Participants of the third module, which will take place in 2010–2011, will have an academic qualification in conservation and at least five years practical experience

Since the course is taught in English, participants should be able to demonstrate an excellent command of spoken and written English.

In order to take part in the distance learning portion of each module, participants must have easy access to a computer with Internet access (preferably high speed access) and experience in accessing and using Web-based information.

Given the high level of practical work and frequent instructor-participant interactions, the number of participants for each module will not exceed twenty people.

	Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Bratislava. Photo: Barbara Burianova

There are no fees for participating in any of the modules or for the course materials. Accommodation in Bratislava will be covered by the Getty Conservation Institute. Some assistance for travel costs may be available. Although lunch will be provided on weekdays during the Summer School, participants should be prepared to cover other daily incidental costs.

Download application materials for the first module here. Please complete the application electronically and submit the completed applications as an e-mail attachment to the following e-mail address: photoconscourse@getty.edu

Please note that the application process requires a signed statement from the director of the applicants institution.

Applications for the first module of Fundamentals of the Conservation of Photographs must be submitted to the Getty Conservation Institute by no later than APRIL 11, 2008.

Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance during the first week of June. Upon confirming their acceptance, participants will receive the course schedule, information for accessing the course Website, and information regarding accommodations.

For further information about the course or the application procedure, please send your inquiry to photoconscourse@getty.edu

Application form (8 pp., Microsoft Word document, 1.4MB)

Downloadable Course Announcement (5 pp., PDF, 160KB)

Last updated: April 2008