Graduate Education in the Conservation of Historic and Decorative Arts Objects, Furniture, Textiles, & Photographs

FAIN: PE-50075-12

University of Delaware (Newark, DE 19711-3651)
Debra H. Norris (Project Director: July 2011 to October 2014)

Graduate education in the conservation of humanities collections. Stipends would be provided for up to five students per year specializing in the conservation of objects, textiles, painted and decorative surfaces, furniture, or photographs.

This proposal to the National Endowment for the Humanities will support the education and training of 5 graduate students specializing in object, textile, painted and decorative surfaces, furniture, or photograph conservation for 2 years. A portion of guest speaker honoraria, travel, expendable teaching supplies, and research project expenses will also be funded. Since 1974, the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation has earned an international reputation for its humanities-based study of cultural heritage preservation. Our alumni have directly influenced the fields of art conservation, art history, history of technology, anthropology, and archaeology, and have ensured the availability of vulnerable cultural materials for scholarship, exhibition, and enjoyment. Trained professionals are essential to the survival of our material heritage, and NEH support of the education and training for our students will help to ensure that such professionals are available.