International Course on the Conservation of Modern Heritage

A Course for Mid-Career Professionals

Blended Format: Online and In Person

May to August 2023

Application period is closed. For questions, please contact CMAItraining@getty.edu.

The International Course on the Conservation of Modern Heritage aims to advance the conservation of modern heritage and architecture by providing participants with methodological and practical tools. Through lectures, discussions, exercises, demonstrations, site visits, and field exercises participants will learn about advances in research and practice that have influenced approaches to modern heritage conservation. The course will also serve as a platform to share experiences, challenges, and thoughts among participants and instructors.

The course is designed to cover a broad range of contemporary issues that professionals face in the conservation of modern heritage, from theoretical and methodological issues, to the technical aspects of materials conservation.

Preliminary program:

• Introduction to the Conservation of Modern Architecture
• Broadening our Understanding of the Heritage of Modernity
• Values-based approaches: Tools and Processes
• Towards Resilience and Sustainability
• Upgrading and Adapting Modern Heritage
• Technical Challenges of Conserving Modern Materials
• Advocacy for Modern Heritage
• Synthesizing Learnings through Case Studies

The program starts with an overview of the evolution of modern heritage conservation, the key challenges faced by the field and the ways international organizations address them. The course will then focus on broadening participants’ understanding of the heritage of modernity and propose the thematic approach to expand the identification of modern heritage places.

Next, the course will present the values-based approach to conservation management and practical conservation and planning tools to guide practice. It will also examine the issues of resilience and environmental sustainability, the upgrading and adaptation of modern heritage, and technical aspects of conserving commonly used modern materials. The course will highlight the important role of advocacy, its strategic objectives, and its application to the conservation of modern architecture. Finally, it will showcase a series of successful international case studies that address various issues presented throughout the course.

The course will be delivered in a blended format:

• Nine weeks online
• Two weeks in-person in Los Angeles

The course is highly interactive, and participants are expected to prepare to the best of their ability and participate actively in all sessions.

Online Component

Hosted on our learning management system, the online component will follow a flipped-classroom approach. In this flipped-classroom style, participants will watch pre-recorded video lectures and complete an assignment before joining a weekly live session with instructors for Q&A and group discussions. Participants will be able to share their experiences with heritage conservation through presentations and breakout group discussions.

The timing of live sessions will be based on the time zones and availability of the majority of participants, as stated in their applications. The course is structured into nine modules, paced at one per week. Each module has an estimated workload of seven hours.

In-person Component

To synthesize and apply the learnings of the course, participants will attend lectures and work on local case studies in Los Angeles. Participants will also attend organized site visits to modern heritage sites in Southern California.

The teaching team is composed of Getty Conservation institute staff and recognized heritage conservation professionals with extensive experience in modern heritage conservation. This international teaching team and guest lecturers represent various perspectives and geographic regions.

Online Component: May 1–July 13, 2023

Pre-course materials will be released one month prior to the course start.

In-Person Component: August 6–18, 2023

After a three-week break, participants will convene in Los Angeles for the in-person component.

The course is designed for a maximum of 25 participants. It is open to mid-career heritage professionals who work with modern heritage conservation, such as architects, planners, engineers, conservator-restorers, policymakers, site managers, advocates, and related occupations. Professionals who can directly apply their learnings into practice, influence decision-making, or further disseminate the learnings of the course (e.g., instructors and trainers) are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

The selection process is competitive. Prospective participants must submit an online application and send supporting documents by the deadline, and the course organizer may contact applicants for additional information. This course aims to host participants from a broad geographic range and a variety of heritage professions to ensure a rich cultural exchange.

The course will be conducted in English. Candidates must have good technical knowledge and command of the English language.

The course fee is USD $1,500 (one-thousand, five hundred US dollars). The fee includes tuition, course materials, lodging for the in-person session, course-related local transportation, and lunches in Los Angeles for the duration of the course.

Participants are responsible for their round-trip travel costs to Los Angeles and incidental expenses associated with the course.

Participants based outside the United States may need to obtain visas or visa waivers to enter the United States for the in-person component. Successful applicants are responsible for their visa applications to travel to the United States and the associated expenses.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding from their employer or other institutions. Getty may provide financial assistance to a limited number of participants in financial need. Participants who require financial aid should indicate this on their application form.

A course certificate will be awarded to participants who complete the course by attending all course activities.

November 1, 2022: Deadline for submission of online application, CV, and Employer’s Endorsement

December 15, 2022: By this date, applicants will receive an email notifying them if they have been selected to participate in the course. Up to ten additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list

February 1, 2023: Deadline for participants to submit a $300 non-refundable deposit and confirm their registration

March 15, 2023: Deadline for payment of remaining tuition fee

Applicants who do not submit payments by the deadlines will have their registration canceled. Available spaces will then be offered to those on the waiting list.

For further information or questions, please contact CMAItraining@getty.edu.