Internships at the V&A

The nature of conservation training is such that qualifications gained from validated conservation courses both in the UK and abroad cannot satisfy all the requirements of the conservation professional. A further period of work experience and training in an institution such as the V&A is considered vital in the development of a well-rounded conservator. It is also important for mid-career conservators and conservation scientists to have the opportunity to refresh and update their knowledge. Many countries have no opportunities of this kind to offer the future caretakers of their country's heritage. The responsibility for the education and training of conservation professionals belongs to the international conservation community as a whole.

The benefits of an internship at the V&A are many. The relatively large size of the Department, the wide range of specialist conservators and scientists, the Course with its formal programme, and links to other academic and cultural institutions all combine to make the Conservation Department of the V&A a unique place to work and study. It can offer a very different perspective on professional life, balancing the diverse activities in which staff are involved. The Museum's extensive collections also present exciting opportunities for discussion with specialist curators and for work on objects of the highest quality.

The Conservation Department offers internships and placements to people from the UK and abroad, both students currently enrolled on conservation courses and qualified conservation professionals at various stages of their careers. Interns are normally here for three to six months, but in exceptional cases they may stay for up to a year. Placements are for shorter periods, usually around four to six weeks. Selection is from a competitive field, on the basis of written application, portfolio, and an interview, either by telephone or in person. This takes place four times a year and we have, on average, 20 interns and placements each year. Internships are not funded by the Museum. While there are no charges for tuition or materials, successful applicants have to find money for their maintenance and travel.

Interns are appointed a supervisor and are attached to a particular specialist Section, e.g. Ceramics & Glass. The work can consist of research, condition assessment, technical examination, treatment, preventive conservation, documentation and liaison with curatorial staff. Each internship will have different emphases, depending on the interests and needs of the individual. An internship begins with a plan of action, a compromise between what the intern wants to achieve and the pre-existing work programme of the conservation section. Interns are assessed on the basis of this plan and are asked to evaluate their internship themselves. Constructive criticism can help us improve what we offer.

Interns are encouraged to participate in Departmental meetings and seminars, and welcomed at events organised by the RCA/V&A Conservation Course. The equivalent of one day a week is reserved for private study. They also have a contribution to make to the development of conservation in the Museum. They bring information about current practice and expertise in areas of special interest from abroad. In addition, they contribute significantly to the output of the Department, both in terms of research and of practical conservation work on objects.

Interns will use the experience gained here in many different ways, depending on their rôle in their own institutions or businesses. However, it will often be a condition of their funding that they share their experience with others, either through teaching, writing or presentation. We endeavour to make their experience here a thoroughly rewarding one.

For further information please contact
Alison Richmond,
Interns Co-ordinator,
Conservation Department,
Victoria and Albert Museum,
London SW7 2RL,
Tel.+44 171 938 9632,
Fax.+44 171 938 8661,
email.a.richmond@vam.ac.uk