The prestigious conservation postgraduate training programme run by the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and Royal College of Art (RCA) is to be scrapped.
The London-based institutions have jointly run MA and PhD conservation courses since 1989. A joint statement said: "The V&A's priorities and needs in conservation training have changed, and the RCA and V&A have therefore taken the decision to close the course.
"In light of these changes, new students have not been recruited since 2008. The RCA and V&A remain fully committed to the current students till the conclusion of their studies."
Three posts are at risk of redundancy, though the V&A said alternative roles were being sought for those staff.
The V&A is planning a work-based conservation development programme for graduates based on its assistant curator development programme.
A V&A spokeswoman stressed, however, that this "is not a direct continuation of the MA course . . . it will not offer a degree qualification, but it is hoped that this modular training will lead to a national NVQ qualification".
But David Saunders, keeper of conservation and scientific research at the British Museum, questioned the move. He said: "Replacing the MA with a V&A work-based scheme raises issues about the future of professional and academic training for conservators in the UK."
A former course alumnus, Kostas Ntanos, now conservation science manager at the National Archives in Kew, said the practical experience had been "invaluable".
The programme being axed is a further blow for the conservation sector following the news that the Textile Conservation Centre at the University of Southampton will shut in October (see link below).
l Jessica Wanamaker has been appointed chief executive of the Institute of Conservation. She was previously chief executive of the East London Community Foundation.
The London-based institutions have jointly run MA and PhD conservation courses since 1989. A joint statement said: "The V&A's priorities and needs in conservation training have changed, and the RCA and V&A have therefore taken the decision to close the course.
"In light of these changes, new students have not been recruited since 2008. The RCA and V&A remain fully committed to the current students till the conclusion of their studies."
Three posts are at risk of redundancy, though the V&A said alternative roles were being sought for those staff.
The V&A is planning a work-based conservation development programme for graduates based on its assistant curator development programme.
A V&A spokeswoman stressed, however, that this "is not a direct continuation of the MA course . . . it will not offer a degree qualification, but it is hoped that this modular training will lead to a national NVQ qualification".
But David Saunders, keeper of conservation and scientific research at the British Museum, questioned the move. He said: "Replacing the MA with a V&A work-based scheme raises issues about the future of professional and academic training for conservators in the UK."
A former course alumnus, Kostas Ntanos, now conservation science manager at the National Archives in Kew, said the practical experience had been "invaluable".
The programme being axed is a further blow for the conservation sector following the news that the Textile Conservation Centre at the University of Southampton will shut in October (see link below).
l Jessica Wanamaker has been appointed chief executive of the Institute of Conservation. She was previously chief executive of the East London Community Foundation.
Links
In brief, Museums Journal April 2009, p7
In brief, Museums Journal April 2009, p7
