Resume

Art Conservator Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this Art Conservator resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

Art conservators are responsible for the preservation of art collections, artifacts, and historic buildings. They work with museums, galleries, private collectors, and other institutions to ensure that artworks are kept safe and secure.

If you love art but also have an appreciation for science and history, this might be the perfect career for you. You’ll need to be detail oriented and have an eye for aesthetics. You’ll also need to possess excellent communication skills, because you’ll be working with a variety of people from different backgrounds and disciplines.

Before you can begin your career as an art conservator, you need a resume that will impress hiring managers. Here are some tips and an example to help you write yours.

Michael Garcia
New York City, NY | (123) 456-7891 | [email protected]
Summary

Accomplished art conservator with over 10 years of experience in the field. Proven ability to preserve and restore paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. Expertise in a variety of restoration techniques, including cleaning, varnishing, and retouching.

Education
University of Delaware Jun '10
M.A. in Art Conservation
University of Delaware Jun '06
B.A. in Art History
Experience
Company A, Art Conservator Jan '17 – Current
  • Conserved and restored works of art using a variety of techniques, including mechanical methods such as adhesives or sewing; chemical methods such as retouching with acrylic paints or consolidants; and non-invasive methods such as environmental control (temperature, humidity) to slow the rate of deterioration.
  • Assisted in planning for future conservation needs by conducting condition assessments on artwork through visual examination and documentation.
  • Provided technical support for exhibitions by preparing objects for display, installing artwork, monitoring conditions during exhibition periods, and removing artwork from storage when needed.
  • Maintained an inventory database that includes information about each object’s physical characteristics, history, location within the museum collection, etc., which is used to track movement throughout the collections care cycle.
  • Performed preventive maintenance tasks such as light cleaning/dust removal before moving items into storage areas to reduce potential damage caused by dust particles settling onto surfaces over time.
Company B, Art Conservator Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Assessed the condition of art objects and artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, paper documents and photographs
  • Developed treatment plans for damaged works of art based on their historical significance and aesthetic value
  • Prepared inks, paints and varnishes to restore or replicate original surface textures and colors
  • Conducted research on materials used by artists throughout history to develop conservation techniques
  • Collaborated with curators to determine appropriate storage conditions for each piece in the collection
Company C, Art Educator Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Developed and implemented lesson plans that met the needs of a diverse group of students with varying skill levels.
  • Taught students of all ages the elements and principles of design using a variety of mediums such as painting, sculpture, and photography.
  • Evaluated student work and provided feedback to help them grow as artists.
Skills

Industry Knowledge: Conservation, Art History
Technical Skills: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Office Suite
Soft Skills: Communication, Attention to Detail, Teamwork

How to Write an Art Conservator Resume

Here’s how to write an art conservator resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

When you’re writing your resume bullet points, it can be tempting to just list your responsibilities. But that’s not enough to make a hiring manager take notice. Instead, you should use your bullet points to demonstrate your value by using specific examples and numbers.

For example, rather than saying you “restored paintings for museum exhibitions,” you could say you “restored 15 paintings for museum exhibitions in 6 weeks, resulting in no delays in opening of exhibit.”

The second bullet point is much stronger because it provides specific details about what you did and how you did it.

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you apply for a job as an art conservator, your resume is likely to go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This system will scan your resume for specific terms related to the job, like “museum” or “artwork.” If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.

To make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s important to add relevant keywords to your resume. You can find them by reading through the job posting and highlighting the terms that are most repeated. Then, use those same words throughout your resume.

  • Art Conservation
  • Art History
  • Painting
  • Museum Studies
  • Art
  • Art Restoration
  • Conservation
  • Object Conservation
  • Collections Management
  • Paper Conservation
  • Drawing
  • Photography
  • Archaeology
  • Art Appraisal
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Architectural Conservation
  • Conservation Science
  • Art Education
  • V&A
  • Art Conservation Services
  • Artifact
  • Museums
  • Fresco
  • C-Value Method
  • Photography Conservation
  • Sculpture
  • Conservation of Metal
  • Watercolor
  • Oil Painting
  • Watercolor Painting

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As an art conservator, you need to be proficient in a variety of software programs and systems in order to effectively do your job. For instance, you should be familiar with image editing software like Photoshop, as well as databases like ARTstor. Additionally, you should be comfortable using a variety of research tools, like library catalogs and online databases.

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