What is Decorative Arts Conservation?
Decorative art is a generic terms used to describe ornamental and
functional works of art in ceramics, wood, glass, metal, and
textiles.This course aims to provide a thorough and comprehensive
education in the conservation and restoration of all forms of
decorative arts, but in particular historic furniture.
Key features of the course:
We aim to help students acquire and develop high standards of
craftsmanship, a thorough understanding of furniture history, an
ability to understand the significance of material science, and an
understanding of professional practices. Students will usually
visit historic sites, professional workshops, commercial
restoration workshops and museum studios during the course of their
studies. We have over the years developed a series of ‘live
projects’ to involve groups of students in conservation work on
site, either in a museum or stately home. Students are also
encouraged to apply for internship in commercial and museum
workshops during their summer vacations. All of these
attributes equip graduates to practice at a professional level on
leaving the course.
What will I learn?
The course is full-time over three years. A high proportion of this
time is spent conserving or restoring objects in the fully equipped
workshops, learning and developing essential craft skills whilst
employing a wide range of materials and constructional techniques,
both traditional and contemporary. This is contextualised by
studying the history of furniture, which enables students to
recognise the basic styles, period construction details and
significant makers of historic furniture.
Also, research and preparation of the Historical and Critical
Studies dissertation linked as it is to the individual student’s
particular area of interest supports and enhances breadth of
learning. Ethical issues and how they impinge on the responsibility
of the furniture conservator-restorer, who is inevitably taking
intrusive actions upon historic objects, are also examined while
developing strategies to reduce the use of irreversible
processes.
What are my career
prospects?
Since the conception of the course, many of our graduates have
successfully found employment within the furniture conservation and
decorative arts field. Some have continued in higher education
going onto Masters and Doctorate programmes. Graduates have also
been employed in the museums, antiques and education sectors and we
are now seeing our graduates obtain prominent positions within all
these areas.
Graduate profile:
The course attracts student of all ages and from different back
grounds and therefore upon graduating they will tend to pursue a
career in the many different aspects of decorative arts
conservation. One of our students who specialised in
upholstery on the course, upon graduating joined a small firm of
upholsterers specialising in traditional upholstery. She has
remained with them for the past three years developing her
upholstery skills and attending Hereford College to learn advanced
upholstery techniques. She is now intending to return to Bucks New
University to undertake the master’s programme in Furniture;
Conservation/Restoration & Decorative Arts.
Another student upon graduating, joined the V & A furniture
conservation department as Conservation Officer, he was
subsequently promoted to Senior Conservation Officer and now is
Head of the Furniture Conservation workshops.
Application information
Your Interview:
Applicants will be interviewed with their portfolios. The purpose
of the interview is to ascertain your suitability for the course
you have chosen, your individual motivation and interests and
whether Buckinghamshire New University is right for you.
Portfolio Requirements:
The interview usually requires a portfolio review, although mature
students or students returning to education are encouraged to apply
and discuss their specific situation at interview. What we are
looking for during a portfolio review is a good appreciation of the
third dimension, an ability to communicate in terms of drawing, and
an indication that you can process such information and begin the
process of developing ideas from it.
For portfolio and interview guidelines, click
here.
Entry requirements:
Relevant ‘A’ levels
+ portfolio
160-200 UCAS points
Want to know more?
To find out more about
studying this course at Bucks: