Further Information
Graduates of the Introductory Direction of Conservation of Cultural Heritage acquire complete theoretical and practical training on modern trends in conservation and cultural management science, so they are able to successfully meet the needs and requirements of the labour market of the respective disciplines.
The Curriculum of the Introductory Direction of Conservation of Cultural Heritage (the last reform of which took place in the academic year 2013-2014 and is effective from the academic year 2014-2015) includes infrastructure objects (e.g. Prehistoric - Classical Archaeology, Byzantine – Post-Byzantine Archaeology & Arts, Drawing & Colour, Surveying & Documentation of Objects, Imagery Techniques, Techniques & Materials of Painting, Printmaking & Casts, General Principles of Physics, Biology and bio-erosion, Foreign Language - Terminology, Conservation Principles & Methodology, Art History , Materials Technology & Science, History of Organic Materials (Fabric, Paper, Leather), Preventive Conservation, Museology, Conservation Studies, Chemistry (e.g. Inorganic and Organic Conservation Chemistry, Analytical Conservation Chemistry, Physicochemical Analysis Methodology), Information Technology (e.g. Digitization & Digital image processing, Management of Cultural Data, Cultural Software Technology), Conservation of inorganic materials (e.g. Conservation of Ceramics, Conservation of Stone I & II, Conservation of Metal Object I & II, Conservation of Glass / Porcelain, Conservation of Mosaic, Conservation of excavation Objects), Conservation of organic materials (e.g. Conservation of Wood & Fretwork, Conservation of Fabric I & II, Conservation of Portable Picture I & II, Conservation of Paper & Books I & II, Conservation of Paintings I & II, Conservation of Parchment & Skin) and Conservation of Contemporary and Folklore Materials and Conservation of Fresco I & II.
The profession of Conservator of works of art and antiquities is multispectral and multidisciplinary. It requires cooperation with scientists of other disciplines, such as archaeologists, art historians, museologists, chemists, chemical engineers, etc. for better conservation and protection of a work or a monument.
Intervention on an artistic or historical work should follow a common scientific methodology, i.e. research, analysis, interpretation, composition and final application. Only then can the interventional or preventive conservation maintain the physical, chemical and mechanical integrity of the historic object and highlight its importance by making it accessible to the public. The above approach is essential to be supported by appropriate literature and collaborations with institutions and museums for understanding and deciphering the historical or scientific message of each object.
Graduates of the Introductory Direction of Conservation of Cultural Heritage have complete theoretical and practical training on modern trends in the science of interventional - preventive conservation and cultural management and are able to successfully meet the labour market needs and requirements in the respective disciplines.
The activities of the conservator consist in examination (using modern physicochemical methods), conservation and preventive conservation of cultural heritage. During primary examination, before intervention, the conservator determines the materials, causes of the damage and its extent and documents the findings. During their studies, students of the Direction of Conservation of Cultural Heritage obtain general and specialist knowledge in archaeology, art history, conservation, chemistry, computers, design / colour etc. Studies continue with the implementation of general knowledge to more specialized topics on conservation, in which students acquire specific theoretical and practical skills and competencies.
Conservators of works of art and antiquities, having acquired during their studies general and specific knowledge and skills, can engage in activities covering, depending on their cognitive object and specialization, the study, design, analysis, supervision and evaluation of interventional or preventive conservation of a work, monument or excavation.
During conservation and preventive maintenance, the conservator shall take appropriate action, either to delay or to prevent damage or destruction of cultural goods, through control of environmental conditions and intervention (treatment) in the structure of works, aiming to preserve works of art and monuments, to the extent possible, at an unaltered state.
Relation To Employment
The professional activity of graduates is connected with a professional licence. In the context of safeguarding professional rights of graduates of the department, the Introductory Direction of Conservation of Cultural Heritage was matched with the Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens (Official Gazette 639/2015).
Transitions
Access to this type of qualification have those who have completed at least the secondary education (level 4).
Holders of such qualifications gain access to study programmes at the same level or at level 7 or 8.
Ways To Aquire
Qualifications of this type are acquired via formal education.