Introductory course to Conservation Studies

The new Heritage Malta agency, through its Institute for Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage, is responsible for the provision of academic and vocational course programmes in collaboration with higher educational institutes both in Malta and overseas.

The Institute for Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage, formerly the Institute for Conservation and Restoration Studies (ICRS) and part of the Malta Centre for Restoration, now absorbed within Heritage Malta, has for long been organising degree courses and short informative courses in cultural heritage and its management.

This month the Institute is holding an Introductory course to Conservation Studies, aimed at all those with an interest in conservation of cultural heritage, so one does not need to have any particular experience or qualifications to enrol.

The introductory course is taught by Heritage Malta Bighi's professional staff. It will also serve as a preparatory course for the entrance examination to be held late next month. The entrance examination is a compulsory special entry requirement for those who intend to start a career in conservation by enrolling for the Bachelor in Conservation and Restoration Studies - B.Cons. (Hons) - with the University of Malta.

The introductory course to Conservation Studies will be held between tomorrow and August 5 (Monday to Friday). The course content is condensed into 81 hours, spread over three weeks with all lectures and practicals scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The course is structured like the B.Cons (Hons) course and should offer a foretaste of it.

The teaching time within the introductory course is divided equally between theory lectures and practical sessions. The course addresses archaeology, architecture and history of art for conservation studies. Students are also introduced to conservation science, artistic techniques and documentation practices in conservation/restoration.

Practicals focus on manual dexterity and are aimed at teaching skills that relate to cleanliness and diligence rather than in-depth conservation treatments per se. Yet through the area practicals one will learn to appreciate the work involved in the conservation of various materials.

Furthermore, should one be interested in furthering one's studies, the practicals taught in the Introductory Course to Conservation Studies will serve as an indication of the area of study that one feels more oriented to and comfortable with.

During the course students can choose to do up to six different practicals in various areas of conservation. The four main areas of study, which are also offered in the B.Cons (Hons) course, are paintings and polychrome sculpture; ceramics, glass, metals and stone; textiles; and books and paper. The other two practicals are line drawing and chemistry for conservation, both of which are important to conservation studies yet are subsidiary to the formerly mentioned four main areas.

The fee for attendance is Lm60. Students pay a reduced fee of Lm30. Those interested can apply online by visiting the Heritage Malta Website at www.heritagemalta.org and seeing the Introductory Course page. Alternatively, one can collect an application form from the Secretariat Office at Heritage Malta Bighi in Kalkara. At the end of the course students are awarded a certificate of attendance for their participation.

The B.Cons (Hons) course offers four areas of study outlined earlier of which a student must specialise in one. For entry into the B.Cons (Hons) course one has to be in possession of a MATSEC Certificate and have chemistry at A-Level at grade D or better.

Candidates also need to have a pass in the entrance examination of the Institute. Hence, it is recommended that those intending to sit for the exam and enrol for the undergraduate course attend the Introductory Course to Conservation Studies.

For further information about courses offered by the Institute for Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage write to secretariat@mcr.edu.mt or call 2180-7675/6.