Conservation: Curatorial Aspects

Curating Conservation: A Practical Introduction for Curatorial Studies Students.

In February, 18 students from the Curatorial Studies program at KASK participated in an intensive course week at S.M.A.K., led by Prof. Dr. Sanneke Stigter (UvA). This program introduced them to the key principles of art conservation, preservation, and collection management, with a specific focus on modern and contemporary art.

Through a combination of lectures, site visits, and hands-on sessions, the course underscored the necessity for curators to consider the impact of exhibition-making on the long-term care and conservation of artworks. Special emphasis was placed on condition assessment, preventive measures, storage, packing, and reinstallation, as well as the crucial role of artist participation in conservation strategies.

A highlight of the week was a full-day practical session at S.M.A.K., where each student was assigned a recently acquired artwork to examine in detail. Under the guidance of the museum’s conservation team—Claudia, Carla, and Jana—students learned to draft condition reports, document artworks photographically, and determine appropriate packaging, transport, and storage conditions. These practical exercises provided firsthand insight into the complexity of contemporary art conservation and the challenges posed by multimedia artworks incorporating video, sound, movement, and interactive elements.

By engaging with structural partners such as KASK/Hogent, Ghent University, and S.M.A.K., the course allowed students to access conservation spaces typically hidden from public view. This experience not only broadened their understanding of best-practice guidelines in conservation but also highlighted the ethical and theoretical considerations involved in safeguarding an artwork’s integrity over time.

With this hands-on approach, students developed essential skills in condition assessment, preventive conservation, and collection care—a vital foundation for any curator navigating the evolving field of contemporary art conservation.