Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs

Specialist Certificate in Preservation of Photographs

 

FEBRUARY 2010

15-19 - Photographic Materials & Technques

22-26 - Preventive Care of Photographs & Film

 

Course Introduction

The Preservation of Photographs course combines both theory and practice of photographic materials preservation, with each subject being delivered over five intensive days by a visiting international expert in photographic conservation, in partnership with the staff of the Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation at the University of Melbourne.

 

Course Objectives

Students who complete the Specialist Certificate in Preservation of Photographs will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the materials and techniques used in the construction of photographs.
  • Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the causes of deterioration of pohtographs and the preventive conservation strategies that can be applied.
  • Be able to apply a problem-solving approach to the care and preservation of photographs.

In addition to the above, graduates will attain specific professional skills so that when solving conservation problems or applying preventive conservation measures they:

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of conservation principles, ethics and methods.
  • Have a high level of knowledge of the history, technology and deterioration processes of photographic material.
  • Are able to accurately identify the causes of conservation problems.
  • Have a developed sense of professional and ethical responsibility for cultural heritage and an awareness of the moral and legal responsibilities of professional practice.

 

Course Structure

This award requires successful completion of 25 points from the following two core subjects within a 12 month period.

  • Photographic Materials and Techniques (12.5 points)

  • Preventive Care for Photographs (12.5 points)

Assessment is supported by academic staff from the Centre for
Cultural Materials Conservation at the University of Melbourne.

 

Assessment

Each subject is formally assessed to meet the requirements of
University accreditation. Assessment for each of the subjects
comprises three components:

  • 1 hour test based on course pre-reading completed during the
    intensive delivery (20%) 
  • In class presentation to group, demonstrating problem solving
    approach (20%)
  • 3,000 word essay, including annotated bibliography (60%) due
    approximately 10 weeks after subject delivery) 

 

Short Course Options

In addition to the Specialist Certificate each subject will also be offered as a short course. 

For people who do not  have qualifications or experience in conservation, the short course option will provide the opportunity to gain new knowledge in this field.

 

About the Centre for Cultural Material Conservation

 

The Centre for Cultural Material Conservation is a joint initiative of the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science and the Ian Potter Museum of Art in recognition of the potential for unique interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of cultural material conservation.
The Centre builds on the work of the University of Melbourne conservation Service, and the excellent research track record of the Service.
The Centre brings together the broad academic expertise of the two Faculties with existing programs at the Ian Potter Art Conservation centre, to explore new areas in instrumentation and analysis, policy, and programs in the area of the preservation of cultural material.
A key aim of the Centre is to develop post-graduate research opportunities relating to the broader issues of cultural preservation, particularly as these relate to communities and cultures within the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Course Presenter

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CLARA VON WALDTHAUSEN
Clara von Waldthausen is a leading international expert in photographic conservation running her own photographic conservation consultancy business, The Fotorestauratie Atelier C.C. in the Netherlands.
She has provided consultancy services in photographic conservation to major national institutions including the National Archives of the Netherlands, the National Museum of Ethnology, the European SEPIA Project (Safeguarding European Photographic Images for Access), the Royal Institute for the Tropics (KIT), the Netherlands Institute of Cultural Heritage (ICN) and the Centre de Recherches sur la Conservation des Documents Graphiques (CRCDG) Paris. Clara studied photographic conservation and conservation science at DePauw University, the University of Delaware, the University of Texas and Netherlands Institute of Cultural Heritage (ICN), developing extensive qualifications in photographic conservation. She is an experienced educator and researcher, and has published several articles on the practice of photographic conservation, as well as more technical work on the Autochrome process and coatings on early photographs.

 

Academic Coordinator

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MARCELLE SCOTT
Marcelle has a BAppSc (Cultural Materials Conservation) specialising in objects conservation and a Grad Dip of Arts (Archaeology), with a thesis that focused on rock art site management and conservation.
Marcelle has over twenty years experience in the conservation profession, working in State institutions and with community museums. She was National President of AICCM from 1999-2001, and is the Editor of the peer-reviewed AICCM Bulletin.
In 2007 she was selected for one of the prestigious 2007/2008 Conservation Guest Scholar awards from the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles for research in the areas of conservation pedagogy and interdisciplinarity.

 

Who Should Attend?

The Specialist Certificate in Preservation of Photographs is aimed at people with a suitable background and experience who wish to learn more about photographic materials preservation.

For qualified conservators the Specialist Certificate provides the opportunity to build on existing knowledge and to develop specialist expertise in preservation of photographs and related materials.

 

In addition to the Specialist Certificate each subject will also be offered as a short course. 

For people who do not have qualifications or experience in conservation, the short course option will provide the opportunity to gain new knowledge in this field.

 

Course Brochure

2010 Preservation of Photographs brochure


Libraries

Award students will also be issued a University of Melbourne student card, which will give them full borrowing rights for all branches of the University of Melbourne libraries at Parkville.

The University of Melbourne holds one of the most significant academic libraries and archive collections in the southern hemisphere.  It has one of the largest collections, providing three million volumes on paper and University Archives, including collections of international significance on many subjects.

 

Online Databases

Award students will be issued a University of Melbourne email username and password.  This email username and password will allow you to access an extensive online resource library via the internet.  This electronic database provides reference material for assignments and is a valuable tool to assist in your study.

Please find following web address for the University of Melbourne's online resource library: http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/

 

Venue

The University of Melbourne

Parkville Campus

 

Accommodation

There is a number of accommodation options near the University of Melbourne.  Please find following a few options to make further enquiries. 

  

2010 Fees

Specialist Certificate in Preservation of Photographs (Award) - $4,160 (GST exempt).

Short Course (Non-Award) - $1,500 per subject.

Fees include: (for both award & non-award students)

Places on the course are strictly limited and offered preferentially to award students.

 

Financial Support

FEE-HELP information is available via www.goingtouni.gov.au

 

Registration

Closing date for applications is Friday, 29 January 2010.

 

Award Entry Requirements

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

 

How to Apply

Award Applications are managed by the Student Services Team. Click here for the Application Form and further instructions.

Non-Award applications are managed by the Project Manager.

 

For further information contact:

Danielle Boardman
Project Manager

Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs
The University of Melbourne
Level 3, 442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn, Vic 3122 Australia

T: +61 3 9810 3250
F: +61 3 9810 3149
E: preservephotos@mccp.unimelb.edu.au

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