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Material Culture Preservation involves the longterm preservation of artistic and cultural artifacts by the analysis of the condition and the materials, planning collections care strategies, and carrying out research and treatments. Conservation is an interdisciplinary field involving the fine arts, sciences (including chemistry, biology, and materials technology), and closely related disciplines such as art history, archaeology, studio art, and anthropology. Conservators also have special skills in design, fabrication, crafts, and the fine arts.

AREA OF EMPHASIS AT DELAWARE

The Bachelor of Arts in Material Culture Preservation has two streams of concentration: Pre-Graduate Studies for Art Conservation and Collections Care. The Pre-Graduate Studies major is designed for students who are interested in preparing to attend graduate school to become professional conservators who have the specialized knowledge and skills in the arts, sciences, and other fields that enable them to undertake scientific studies and carry out treatments on art works and artifacts. Conservation demands a broad knowledge of many subjects in the sciences and the humanities, the ability to solve problems and make sound judgments, the development of excellent manual skills, and the temperament and patience to carry out precise and focused work for long hours. Conservators specialize in particular materials such as paintings, art on paper, textiles, library and archival materials, photographs, archaeological or ethnographic objects, sculpture, furniture, or decorative objects. The Collections Care major prepares students for more general art-related careers, focusing on collections management and care.