Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage – Objects of Decorative Arts and Crafts
The bachelor study programme benefits from the tradition of teaching and scientific work at the Faculty of Chemical Technology of the Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, particularly at the Department of Chemical Technology of Monument Conservation, Department of Metals and Corrosion Engineering and Department of Glass and Ceramics.
Launching of this study programme at the Institute of Chemical Technology Prague would have been impossible without a close co-operation with post-secondary technical schools, specifically the Post-Secondary Technical School in Turnov, Post-Secondary Technical School in Světlá nad Sázavou and the Post-Secondary Technical School of Textile Crafts in Prague, which have a wealth of experience in handicraft and in the conservation of objects of decorative arts, with the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University in Prague, with the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague and with many other institutions and experts.
The study is conceived as interdisciplinary. It is based on the principle of interconnection between the three key areas:
- subjects of chemical technology and sciences, which give the student basic knowledge of the composition, structure and properties of the majority of organic and inorganic materials, of degradation and corrosion phenomena and processes and of preservation / conservation / restoration methods. During their subsequent specialization, the students acquire deeper knowledge and understanding of the particular materials – metals, textiles, or glass and ceramics;
- humanities – subjects concerned with visual arts and history (history of arts, conservation of cultural heritage etc.), which are mostly common to the entire study programme. A high standard of teaching of those subjects is guaranteed by the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University in Prague. The lecturers are experts who teach at the Faculty of Humanities or at other universities or who co-operate with other renowned institutions;
- Subjects of visual arts and crafts (such as drawing courses, modeling, practical exercise in visual arts, craftsmanship techniques), which develop the students' artistic skills and workmanship and educate prospective conservators / restorers so that they should be able to apply their theoretical knowledge in real situations. This teaching is mostly provided by the above mentioned post-secondary technical schools. Some fine arts practice (drawing and modeling) is taught in co-operation with the Academy of Fine Arts and its teachers.
| Study programme | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metals | Glass and Ceramics | Textile materials | Technology | ||
| 4 years | 4 years | 4 years | 3 years | ||
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Bc. "Decorative arts restorer"
(joint accreditation with above mentioned Post-Secondary Technical Schools)
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Bc. technologist
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Programme: Conservation-Restoration of Metallic Works of Arts and Crafts
Taught in co-operation with the Secondary Technical School and Post-Secondary Technical School in Turnov.
4 years study programme
Job opportunities:
- as people who directly perform restoration/conservation work on objects of cultural heritage made of metals or of combinations of metals with other materials; based on their individual work made during their study and after some relevant post-graduation practice, the graduates can seek for cultural heritage restorer's license from the Ministry of Culture;
- in museums, galleries, institutes engaged in the preservation of cultural heritage and other institutions with art owners or custodians of objects of cultural heritage or collections of metallic pieces of art.
Programme: Conservation-Restoration of Glass and Ceramic Works of Arts and Crafts
Taught in co-operation with the Post-Secondary Technical School in Světlá nad Sázavou.
4 years study programme
Job opportunities:
- as people who directly perform restoration/conservation work on objects of cultural heritage made of glass/ceramics or of combinations of glass/ceramics with other materials; based on their individual work made during their study and after some relevant post-graduation practice, the graduates can seek for cultural heritage restorer's license from the Ministry of Culture;
- in museums, galleries, institutes engaged in the preservation of cultural heritage and other institutions with are owners or custodians of objects of cultural heritage or collections of glass/ceramic pieces of art.
Programme: Conservation-Restoration of Textile Works of Arts and Crafts
Taught in co-operation with the Post-Secondary Technical School of Textile Crafts and Secondary Art School of Textile Crafts in Prague.
4 years study programme
Job opportunities:
- as people who directly perform restoration/conservation work on objects of cultural heritage made of textiles or combinations of textiles other materials; based on their individual work made during their study and after some relevant post-graduation practice, the graduates can seek for cultural heritage restorer's license from the Ministry of Culture;
- in museums, galleries, institutes engaged in the preservation of cultural heritage and other institutions with are owners or custodians of objects of cultural heritage or collections of textile pieces of art.
Programme: Technology of Conservation and Restoration
3 years programme
Job opportunities:
- in museums, galleries, institutes engaged in the preservation of cultural heritage and other institutions with are owners or custodians of objects of cultural heritage or collections of pieces of art;
- as free-lance technologists-counselors;
- in industrial companies involved in the production of materials and technologies for the protection and conservation of objects of cultural heritage;
- in building companies and other commercial companies (Czech or foreign) engaged in the relevant fields of activity.
The bachelor study programme "Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage – Objects of Decorative Arts and Crafts" is based on state-of-the-art knowledge of and experience in the education of conservators and restorers. It is intended to contribute to a higher standard of preservation, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the Czech Republic so as to match developed countries. Since practical experience in this university-level teaching of the subjects involved is lacking in the Czech Republic, the teaching contents will be modified and upgraded on an ongoing basis both in line with developments in the relevant fields of science and technology and based on experience with the conservator/restorer practice.
For details about the study courses please contact Dean's office, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague (Technická 5, Prague 6, Czech Republic). Information in English can also be found at: