ABSTRACT
Pre-programme placements can significantly contribute to the conservation education and practical experience of future conservators. Benefits to pre-programme students and their hosts are considered, based on the experience of hosting one full-time five-week placement and one part-time four-month placement. Both placement students had or were doing a BA in historic dress and construction, which gave them a useful background in sewing, knowledge of historic dress construction and colouring support materials. Suggestions for how to structure a placement are given, with guidance on communication, activities, resources and their variety. There is a specific focus on colouring support materials and mounting three-dimensional costume, based on the previous experience of the students and the projects in the studio at the time.
