Hi Christa, I'm pre-program in conservation myself (with that same chemistry hurdle to overcome!), but have accrued two years conservation lab experience. A few questions: 1) In what subject was your BA? and 2) What sparked your interest in the museum world, and in conservation? While some students enter conservation with a museum studies background, others are from fine arts or chemistry. Most programs like to see at least a year of conservation lab experience before you apply.  A Masters in Museum Studies will give you the foundation to break into the museum world; whether your focus ends up being collections care and preservation, exhibit development, museum education, museum management, etc. If your interest still ventures toward conservation, you might be able to get some of that chemistry out of the way during your museum studies program, as well as getting conservation lab experience. It's really tough to get actual conservation experience at the intern level, because it can be incredibly delicate and potentially irreversible work. However, you might have more of a chance to get this experience as a museum studies student. I'd suggest looking into Museum Studies first. But I'd love to know what your BA was in, in order to better help give suggestions. Any one else have ideas for Christa? --- On Thu, 7/23/09, Christa Lentz <[log in to unmask]> wrote: From: Christa Lentz <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Advice on appraising courses To: [log in to unmask] Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009, 2:31 PM Alexandra,   I saw your email on the listserv and was wondering if you would be willing to answer a few questions for me.  I recently received my BA and have been trying to break into the museum and collection world.  I would like to go to grad school for conservation some day but unfortunately still have chemistry course work to complete and need to gain the required hours of experience so I'm planning on applying in about 4 years.  In the mean time, I have contemplated going back to grad school in the mean time to earn my Masters in Museum studies and was wondering if you thought it would be worthwhile or any advice you may have.   Thank you,   Christa Lentz 2009/7/23 Alexandra Trumbull <[log in to unmask]> Exactly: for a collections manager to do appraisal work, particularly in-house, would be a major conflict of interest. The collections managers and conservators I've worked with in the past have been very clear with inquirers that the museum cannot give appraisal advice and have always referred them to outside sources. So like Todd, I'd be inclined to think that having an appraisal course on your resume might be more conflicting than rewarding! I'm in a similar position as Anne (masters in museum studies), though I'm moving into object conservation instead of collections management. I had the opportunity to work closely with an art authenticator/appraiser for a few weeks and became very interested in pursuing that path. He made it very clear, however, that I'd be shutting myself out of a career focused on museums if I became an art appraiser. I can understand your interest in that track, Anne: it's fascinating! Were you interested in the course to gain experience in the insurance of museum artifacts, or in the research involved in authenticating art? If it's the latter, might I suggest a conservation course or reading up on x-ray analysis in museums instead? Though not focusing on appraisal, those would give you more skill sets in knowing an artifact on a level of material science and chemistry as well as aesthetically.  Good luck! Alexandra Trumbull --- On Thu, 7/23/09, TOdd Bothel <[log in to unmask]> wrote: From: TOdd Bothel <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Advice on appraising courses To: [log in to unmask] Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009, 12:10 PM Anne, if you continue to work in museums as a collections manager or curator, you will not be able to provide appraisals to donors or potential donors. It will help help you know the value of your museum's items for insurance purposes and aid in your own identification of artifacts. I would say, unless you are going to pursue appraising as a career and not work at a museum, I would not take the course. -----Original Message----- From: Anne Letkeman <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Thu, Jul 23, 2009 11:48 am Subject: Advice on appraising courses I am a young museum professional with a master’s degree in museum studies. I have been working now as a collections specialist managing the collections of three historic houses for about two years. I am looking into taking an appraising course offered by the International Society of Appraisers. It is an expensive course, and I am wondering if it is worthwhile. Will it make me more appealing to future employers? Will it help my career as a collections manager if I have knowledge of appraising? Or would it lessen my credibility as collections manager?  Any advice would be helpful. You can respond to me on or off list. Thanks.   Anne Letkeman Collections Specialist City o f Roswell Roswell, GA 30075   [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]   ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask] . The body of the me ssage should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . 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