ABSTRACT
The education of textile conservators includes many different routes with both formal and informal opportunities for collaboration and learning. In Europe, the Americas and Australasia, conservation training is dominated by formal education, often at master’s level. Two case studies by Lennard; and Mina, Montegut, Thompson and Trupin describe formal education within university conservation programmes. In addition, training placements with museums and other heritage institutions are vital. Two case studies by Stephens; and Burgio, Peterson-Grace, E. Smith and K. Smith detail how pre- and post-graduate internships provide valuable opportunities for novice conservators to be mentored by experienced practitioners. In areas of the world where formal university training is not available, training is often provided via partnerships and workshops with formally trained textile conservators. Two case studies by Takami and Brennan discuss successful partnerships that support regional training. The case study by Roberts illustrates how the skills she gained as a textile conservator are the bedrock of her practice in the wider conservation field.
