What does an Art Restorer do?

Art Restorers apply scientific principles and art knowledge to preserve and restore various types of artwork. They’re responsible for evaluating artwork or artifacts to determine the condition and create a restoration plan. An Art Restorer can work for an organization, such as a museum, gallery or historical society, or they can work independently for private collectors who have fine art that they want to have restored and preserved.

Art Restorer skills and qualifications

A successful Art Restorer candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications needed for the duties, including:

• Experience as a fine artist or in studying fine art
• Collaboration skills to work with curators, scientists and other organization staff members
• Knowledge of art restoration and preservation techniques
• Careful handling skills and gentle hands to protect the artwork
• Scientific background
• Ability to develop and maintain processes for handling artwork
• Written and verbal communication skills to work with other team members and publish research on projects

Art Restorer experience requirements

An Art Restorer typically has extensive experience as a fine artist, particularly with the medium they work to restore. They usually start with an entry-level or apprentice position with at least two years of experience before earning an Art Restorer position where they’re in charge of projects.

Art Restorer education and training requirements

Education requirements were once minimal for Art Restorers, usually with an emphasis on art experience. However, more rigorous education and training are often now expected by organizations. This might include an art restoration or art conservation degree with an emphasis on a specific medium, such as sculptures or paintings. While a bachelor’s degree might be accepted for some positions, others require a master’s degree in a related field. Most Art Restorers also go through an apprenticeship program for roughly two years where they learn under the guidance of someone more experienced.

Job description samples for similar positions

If your company has slightly different needs, the following job descriptions are also available:

• Historian
• Archivist

Art Restorer job description FAQs

What qualities make a good Art Restorer?

An Art Restorer should have extensive knowledge in and a passion for art along with creativity that inspires them to problem solve when preserving art. Precision and attention to detail help an Art Restorer evaluate artwork effectively and carry out the restoration work without causing additional damage. Patience is also important since a restoration project can take months or years to complete.

What should you look for in an Art Restorer resume?

An ideal candidate’s resume should reflect extensive experience in the art world, especially as an artist, to show they know how to handle artwork and use specific techniques. If you’re hiring for a specific medium, such as oil paintings, check for experience working with that type of artwork. An art-related degree is a good sign of an academic background in the field, and looking for science courses in transcripts can help you find a well-rounded candidate with both creative and scientific experience. Previous published research is also beneficial since Art Restorers often publish their research.

How can you make your Art Restorer job description stand out?

Art Restorers are creative people, so make your job description creative as well to attract their attention. Start with a catchy intro for the Art Restorer job description that captures the vibe of your art-related business. Detail what the duties of the job are, including specific artistic mediums the candidate will work with. Decide how much art experience and what type of art education you want, and define them as job requirements. It’s also a good idea to share details on your employee benefits package and a salary range to help candidates make an informed decision about the opening.

What are the different types of Art Restorers?

Careers for Art Restorers often focus on one or two mediums since the restoration, repair and preservation techniques are different for each type of artwork. Examples of specialties include paintings, mosaics, textiles, books and sculptures. While the general duties of cleaning, repairing and protecting artifacts apply to all positions, the specific techniques used may vary based on the material. For example, fixing a chipped or cracked sculpture requires different materials and techniques than preventing a painting from deteriorating.