What is a conservator?
A conservator is a person or agency appointed by the Superior Court to act in the best interest of the conservatee. The conservator may be a public agency (Public Guardian) or a private person (relative or friend of the conservatee). Priority is given to family members if they are willing and capable of serving as conservator, and if they have no conflict of interest.
Conservation professionals have considerable practical experience, a broad range of theoretical and scientific knowledge, and a commitment to high standards and performance. A conservator may be trained at a conservation graduate training program or by lengthy apprenticeship with experienced senior colleagues. Because of the increasingly technical nature of modern conservation, conservators usually specialize in a particular type of object, such as: paintings, works on paper, textiles, sculpture, furniture, rare books, photographs, or archaeological, decorative, or ethnographic materials. Conservators tend to work in private practice or for a museum, library, historical society, or similar institution.
A conservator is someone who is involved in the care and treatment of objects of artistic or historical significance. Qualified conservators are highly skilled practitioners with years of training and experience. Unfortunately, there are also individuals who call themselves conservators but who are unqualified or do not abide by professional standards. Consequently, it is important to be careful in selecting a conservator. Conservation treatments can often be complex and may involve some risk to the object. Because a high degree of expertise is required, conservators generally specialize in one particular field such as paintings, books or artifacts. Experts in preventive conservation are usually qualified to provide advice or services for more than one type of collection.
