Art Conservation

Research Streams

M.A.C.

Art conservation is an exciting and challenging multidisciplinary field involving the examination, interpretation, analysis and conservation of cultural, historic and artistic objects. Professional conservation scientists and conservators must rely on their knowledge of both the humanities and the sciences to understand the creation and production of material culture in past and present contexts and to ensure its preservation for the future. Queen’s University offers Canada’s only art conservation Master's degree program. Conservation scientists may perform analyses for identification, determine deterioration mechanisms, and work with conservators to develop treatments.

A two-year research program is offered to science and engineering graduates, leading to a career in conservation science. A one-year mid-career research stream is also available to practising conservators wth at least five years of experience.

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"My time in the MAC program was wonderful. There is a great family atmosphere and the professors and staff are incredibly helpful and supportive. The education I received at Queen's has definitely put me ahead of the crowd in terms of pursuing jobs, and no matter where I am working in the heritage field I have my Queen’s MAC education as my foundation for success."

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Degrees Offered/Length of Program

Master of Art Conservation (M.A.C.): Two years for conservation science program and a mimimum of one year for mid-career program.

Method of Completion

Research Stream: Four advanced lecture courses, original research, and a thesis, with no conservation treament component; research is individually designed to suit the background and interests of students and faculty. Topics may be in history of technology or other conservation-related areas.

Cross Disciplinary Aspects

Students in the research streams may have opportunities to work with humanities, science, and engineering departments at Queen's and may undertake projects with museums, galleries, archives, the Canadian Conservation Institute and industrial partners.

Travel Opportunities

Research students may undertake a 12-week summer research internship in Canada or abroad, depending upon the focus of their research.

Supervisors

Initial contact should be made with the department’s graduate assistant (artcon@queensu.ca) before getting in touch with a potential supervisor. 

• Alison Murray, Associate Professor, Conservation Science. alison.murray@queensu.ca

• Barbara Klempan, Associate Professor, Paintings Conservation. klempanb@queensu.ca

• John O'Neill, Associate Professor, Paper Conservation. oneillj@queensu.ca

• Krysia Spirydowicz, Associate Professor, Artifacts Conservation. spirydow@queensu.ca

Selected Thesis Titles

• Anna Bülow - "Migration of Volatile Degradation Products from Paper Stacks during Accelerated Aging"
• Dulce Maria Grimaldi - "Painting Techniques and Deterioration at the Murals of the Aztecs, the Great Temple Archaeological Site, Mexico City"
• Irene Civil Plans - "The Matter Paintings of Antoni Tàpies:  A Study of the Mechanical Properties of Contemporary Alkyd Paint Layers with High Pigment Volume Concentration"
• Mary Piper Hough - “Local Treatments to Control Cupping Growth in Cracks:  Experiments on Model Contemporary Paintings”
• Eric Hagan - “A Comparison of Age, Climate, and Aqueous Immersion Effects on the Mechanical Properties of Artists’ Acrylic Paints”
• Yonah Maor - “Delamination of Oil Paint from Acrylic Grounds”
• Shokoufeh Ahmadi - “Adobe Conservation:  Evaluation of Silicone and Acrylic Consolidants”
• Sandra Connors - "Chemical and Physical Characterization of the Degradation of Vulcanized Natural Rubber in the Museum Environment"

Employment Opportunities

M.A.C.research graduates work in conservation research facilities, art galleries, museums, archives, and related cultural institutions. Students have gone on to Ph.D. programs in North America, Europe, and Australia. 

Funding Information

Funding is available through Queen’s Graduate Awards and other internal awards. Some students may qualify for teaching assistantships in their second year.

Students are also encouraged to apply for external funding such as NSERC, SSHRC and OGS. Entering graduate students who win federal government tri-council awards are automatically provided a $5,000 top-up award by Queen’s. Funding may be available from the research supervisor.

Academic Prerequisites

Conservation Science Research Stream:

• Four-year Honours bachelor degree in the sciences or engineering with upper second-class standing (or equivalent).
• Three terms of chemistry at the university level, including at least one term of organic chemistry, all courses preferably with a laboratory component.
• A minimum of two full-year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.

Mid-Career Research Stream:

• Four-year honours bachelor degree in humanities, sciences or engineering with upper second-class standing(or equivalent).
• One full-year, post-secondary course in fine art studio or workshop practice (or equivalent)
• Three terms of chemistry at the university level, including at least one-term in organic chemistry, all courses peferably with a laboratory component.
• Applicants with an undergraduate degree in the humanities must have a minimum of five full-year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.
• Applicants with a science or engineering undergraduate degree must have a minimum of two full-year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of work experience as a conservator.

Other Requirements

• Good visual sensitivity and manual skills
• Experience in conservation or conservation science is highly recommended.
• For international students, if required, a minimum TOEFL total score of 600 (paper-based) or TOEFL iBT minimum scores of: writing (24/30); speaking (22/30); reading (22/30); listening (20/30), for a total of 88/120.

Applicants offered an admissions interview will be required to present a portfolio of their work.