Author: Megan Salazar-Walsh

Attention Pre-Program Conservators!  Join us for the latest upcoming webinar hosted by the Emerging Conservation Professionals Network (ECPN) on “Beyond the Prerequisites: Preparing for Graduate Education in Art Conservation.”  This will be a dynamic webinar with representatives from five North American graduate programs in art conservation.  Join Debra Hess Norris from Winterthur/University of Delaware, Ellen Pearlstein from UCLA, Rosaleen Hill from Queens University, Peggy Ellis from NYU, and James Hamm and Meredeth Lavelle from Buffalo State as they discuss a few of the qualities that make a good candidate for graduate training.  Learn how to make your application stronger while enriching your career.  Submit questions for the Q&A session of the program beforehand by commenting on the ECPN Facebook page or in the recent webinar announcement on the AIC blog (conservators-converse.org), or by e-mailing Megan Salazar-Walsh, ECPN Chair, at salazar.walsh@gmail.com.

The webinar will be held July 16th at 12pm EST.  You can register using this link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/177805026

This webinar is the latest in the ECPN series that seeks to address issues faced by emerging conservators.  “Emerging conservators” are defined as those with 7 or fewer years of experience (which includes schooling and pre-program).  ECPN strives to rotate webinar topics between those that are specifically pertinent to pre-program, graduate, and post-graduate emerging professionals.  

ECPN MEETING

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 | 12-1pm ET

 
Network Members in Attendance:
Eliza Spaulding (Chair)
Michelle Sullivan (co-Professional Education and Training)
Anisha Gupta (Webinars)
Saira Haqqi (co-Outreach)
Carrie McNeal (co-Outreach)
Fran Ritchie (co-Communications)
Ryan Winfield (AIC Staff Liaison)
Ruth Seyler (AIC Staff Liaison)
Stephanie Lussier (AIC Board Liaison)
 
Members Unable to Attend:
Megan Salazar-Walsh (Vice-Chair)
Ayesha Fuentes (co-Professional Education and Training)
Kendall Trotter (co-Communications)
 
Non-Members in Attendance: Daisy Demarche
 
 
Agenda:
 
Meeting minutes from July 1, 2013 were approved.
Discussion of AIC conference:
Eliza -For the 2014, we should think about what activities we could offer our emerging community to incorporate as many people as possible (pre-program, grad students, post grad).  Perhaps we could alternate portfolio session every other year so we can add new activities to the conference.  Thoughts on the potential ideas listed?
 
Carrie- Likes the ideas of speed networking, career coaching, and the idea to alternate portfolio sessions, but expresses concern over compensation for those helping with the networking and coaching, etc.
 
Eliza- Although not specifically discussed yet, these ideas are from the AAM conference that she and Molly attended, where they were all volunteer roles and carefully curated selections.  We’d want to do it similarly.
 
Saira- Agree on idea of having portfolio session every other year— more geared towards pre-program, whereas other programs geared more towards graduate and post graduate, so hitting two different groups.
 
Eliza- Good points, when thinking about the annual conference, we must meet as much of our demographic as possible.  Poster to address digital portfolios could be the portfolio side to it, helping pre-program (and others).
 
Michelle- There was original discussion over the digital portfolio poster being more effective if paired with a session, but since it’s digital (not traditional portfolio), it takes it beyond pre-program.
 
Stephanie- Expectations for ECPN at the annual meeting…ECPN has had happy hour and informational meeting, and session (portfolio the last couple years).  Unlikely that we could have two programs (one portfolio and one on networking/resume/coaching), so think about crafting a program that meets the needs of all, or alternate years for reaching pre- and post- graduates.  With the speed networking and coaching, it’s possible to engage the entire demographic.  Emerging post grads can meet with pre program, and then senior conservators can meet with emerging post grads.  This can be a customized experience, the big thing would be finding the right people to participate.  Seems like there are many willing.
 
Saira- sounds like Stephanie addressed concerns about reaching out to all demographics.  The conference (and our session) is an opportunity for pre-programs to meet other people. Important to reach that demographic as well.
 
Eliza- Yes. And in terms of the poster on digital portfolio, it seems like the poster can be on its own (not with a session).  I would encourage you to continue working on abstract.
 
Carrie- Reiterate that the digital portfolio poster is something that AIC was interested in having for a talk, so there is interest within the broader community.
 
Eliza- Also agree that it would be great to have continuity of programs from last AIC’s (so happy hr, info meeting, poster) and then other dedicated program would be coaching/speed networking.  Personally leaning towards speed networking because it was a fun and great way to meet other colleagues and practice introductory skills
 
Ruth- New idea- occurs to me that one idea is that it might be possible to combine networking and coaching into one session.  This year there won’t be very many specialty groups doing lunches, so possible to put specialty groups on one day and have this as a lunch session in an atrium space that they can close off very well, but fun open space with lots of windows (huge, but can’t present in it).  Perhaps speed network from 12-1, then coaching/resume review after that. Provide to volunteers who do this a boxed lunch on ECPN’s dime. A two hour time block that people are in the space.  It will just take time to line everything up.  If want to, take those events and put under one umbrella because they are similar and similar in set up.  Maybe combine the info. meeting and portfolio? (If possible to do portfolio without a/v equipment.)
 
Eliza- Great idea to fit in both; the way you outlined it would be perfect.
 
Ruth- Be in good shape to get volunteers since less formal lunches for specialty groups this year.
 
Eliza- It would be hard to eat and network, though; we’d have to think about participants.
 
Anisha- if we played with idea and did, depending on timing, eating during an intro to ECPN, and then go into the other programs. Think about a way to work around it/work in eating.
 
Ruth- Could do boxed lunches at start, or if divided into two sessions with a break in the middle.  And it depends on how many set ups we have…probably in an area where can have lunches/round tables during a 30 min break.  For example, one session 12-12:40, then lunch, and then a second session from 1:15-2.
 
Eliza- That could be a good way to make it work.
 
Carrie- Good idea to switch up conference programs and people might want to see something new.
 
Michelle- Sounds like a great idea, rich program with a lot to offer the demographics of our membership.
 
Eliza- Let’s plan on that; we can start to develop the programs. Anything else for AIC conference, Ruth?
 
Ruth- Might want to think about it you want a happy hour in the hotel, or outside the hotel, since we’ll be close to so many things.  This hotel doesn’t have a fun bar like the one in Indy did.  But the advantage to having it in the hotel is that people arriving can see the event based on where bar is.  But might be possible to get some space/bar with a water view.   We can think about how to put it on the registration form (like a box to check) so we can make people aware of it really early on.
 
Eliza- I can share with Ruth how AAM ran it and see what she thinks.
 
Status of liaison program
Carrie- For the regional liaisons… Been in touch with those listed on Writeboard and updated for people who have confirmed that they’d like to stay on and where they’re located. (And where we need to find new ones.)  Current concern is that don’t have very many; have large areas covered but need to ramp it up a little bit.  May be good to reach out to Facebook community and see if we could get some interest from people in different areas to get them on the list.  In the meantime, working on creating a toolkit for them, and after it gets fleshed out, we’ll share.  It’s a package of resources, like suggestions for workshops/happy hr/activities, info on ECPN in general, report form for liaison if they do have an event so we can know how it’s going.  Once complete, we’ll send toolkit to liaisons and then schedule a conference call with liaisons (Saira and Carrie) to talk about ideas and programs in general; what expecting to get out of it.
 
Eliza- Sounds good, not just regional, but also specialty groups and graduate program liaisons.  Making a list of those we need? Yes.
 
Saira- For the grad school liaisons… Those from Columbia and UCLA graduated or gone, so asked them for suggestions for new liaisons.  Have a list of students from each program.  Want to find a way to connect pre-program people with liaisons.  What about a pre program “Dear Abby” on the blog so we can send questions to all grad school liaisons and pass around to get answers.
 
Anisha- Excellent idea.  Thinking when I was pre program and don’t want to contact specific person, so just want to know what everyone’s experiences are at different places.  Maybe a dedicated gmail account for grad liaisons where people can send e-mails and liaisons check and answer? But column idea sounds better.  More fun to get conservation opinions and a range of responses.
 
Eliza- And having that live on the blog?
 
Carrie- yes, a sort of Dear Abby post every other month.
 
Eliza- Curious to see how open people feel on a platform like AIC blog. Could be fun to try and see what response we get.
 
Carrie- We would definitely be careful about which questions to answer on blog- mostly general questions on how the programs are structured and keep as positive as possible.
 
Anisha- There has been an interesting discussion on the Facebook page that got several comments.  Moving this discussion to the blog would be more formal, but could get the questions from Facebook answered on the blog.
 
Eliza- Thinking about that, too, that this dialogue already happens on Facebook. What is the advantage of doing it on blog vs. Facebook?
 
Saira- Well, it seems like the same conversations on Facebook were started by pre program people and a lot of people were responding by saying message me to talk about it.  In a private message, the woman said she only knew about the Buffalo program because that’s the only program where she knew people.  So if she hadn’t reached out, she wouldn’t know more about other programs. There’s no other way to get that info., plus the blog is searchable, (meaning we don’t have to answer same question multiple times) and read by more people.  We will have limitations because there will be questions we can’t answer on the blog.  We need both- to put people in touch with private messages and answer basic questions with a general blog.
 
Eliza- Was thinking the same thing.  Good idea, just continue to think about it.   We’re also trying to build up written resources that we have, to make a bank of resources that we can link people since we’re often fielding same questions.
 
Carrie- Agree with idea of blog being searchable and a big advantage.  Also, Facebook can be overwhelming and easy to miss things when more activity on the page.   Putting it all in blog with searchable fields that people can go look it up would be good.  (Facebook isn’t searchable.)
 
Eliza- And true, blog read by more of the conservation community than Facebook page.  At this point, good idea.  Can you write up something to envision how it would work? Share with group and then we’ll evaluate once more.  And good to involve graduate liaisons more.  Do you feel like we have a sense of liaisons we need to find?
 
Carrie- We have liaisons in places where didn’t know we needed them, so we were thinking it might be effective (or a mess?) to reach out to Facebook to see if people are interested in working with the liaison program.  Any more suggestions with how to go about that?
 
Anisha-Based on experiences from last year, you’d be surprised that if you don’t specify a city, you don’t get as many responses.  Maybe try a specific city or ask if someone knows of someone.  Announce on Facebook, never know, could be a good way.
 
Carrie- So reach out to specific cities (for example, Austin), saying if anyone in Austin is interested would be better than a general call for liaisons?
 
Anisha- Recommend trying anything because nothing was super successful.
 
Eliza- Anisha, thanks for sharing your experience from last year. Maybe double up efforts to see if people who stepped down have someone in mind?
 
Carrie- Did get some recommendations that way, but I think that resource may be exhausted at this point.  Will try various options to see where get a response.
 
Eliza- Good to have dedicated liaison call, but we try to include them in every other call, so November call can be a liaison call. We’ll tentatively aim for that and see how it goes.  Thanks for all good thoughts on that.
 
Status of mentoring program:
Eliza brought up the mentoring program from Megan, who could not call in.  This will be a big conversation, though, and will be saved for later discussion.
 
Webinar Update:
Eliza- Anisha, was just talking to Stephanie about the technology for the next webinar.  As things stand, seems like it would only work if Tom initiates google hangout and then go to webinar, putting all tech burden on Tom, not us. Thoughts on switching gears and just doing go to webinar with a straightforward PowerPoint?
 
Anisha- It would be nice if we had control, and since working with Eric, feels like would be nice to have central location to control it, especially with four speakers. (Thus adding more stress.)
 
Eliza- So we could email people letting them know this is our plan moving forward (to just use Go To Webinar)? We could ask each speaker for a few photos of their studios/ working with people, etc.
 
Anisha- Yes, some kind of visual as they respond to the questions.  We could put our group questions as text (and to keep us on track)… but it would be nice to have string of photos to go with any topic.
 
Eliza- We’ll see how many pictures people will share with us; nothing elaborate.  Simple slides with some information and visual stimulation. Let’s plan on that.  And when are we able to schedule next practice call… next week?
 
Anisha- Just sent a poll for the next practice call… trying to set it up.
 
AIC Lead Article
 
Eliza- AIC lead article. I encourage everyone to read it, as this week is last week to work on it and it’s our first lead article.  Thoughts to share on it? Especially the implications and recommendations section, but it will be richer with a diversity of opinion.  Eliza will work with Michelle this week to edit.
 
Michelle- Wouldn’t want to do without other people’s input.
 
Eliza- Sent article last night to several people for input and asked if they could get back by Friday.  The 2 people who have already responded didn’t have substantial comments. This weekend will be big on editing.
 
Review of roles
Eliza- Anyone have any questions or comments on their roles as we’ve settled in?
 
Michelle- It has been difficult to catch up with Ayesha, but we’re going to focus on different projects and that should make it easier.
 
Eliza- Email any questions.  Keep in mind that we’re in these roles until next meeting, so next year would be great to have continuity.   Think about this as settle into role- would you be interested in continue to work on next year? Just think about it and we’ll discuss mid-year.
 
Confirm next call: Tuesday, November 12th, from 12-1. 
 
Respectfully submitted by Fran Ritchie

The Emerging Conservation Professionals Network (ECPN) is very excited to welcome our new officers as of the 41st AIC Annual Meeting. Following is a brief introduction to each new officer.
Eliza Spaulding – Chair
Eliza Spaulding is the current Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Paper Conservation at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In 2010, she graduated from the Conservation Center, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University with an Advanced Certificate in Conservation and a Master’s Degree in Art History. From 2011-2013, she served as the ECPN Vice Chair, and is thrilled to be serving as the Chair this year. She is passionate about advocacy for conservation and the arts.
Megan Salazar-Walsh – Vice Chair
Megan Salazar-Walsh is a third year student specializing in paintings at the Buffalo State College graduate program in Art Conservation. She will be dividing her third-year internship between the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, in The Hague. Megan served as ECPN’s Co-Outreach Officer from 2011-2013 and as the new Vice Chair she is looking forward to working with both emerging and established conservation professionals to create more resources for career development.
Saira Haqqi – Outreach
Saira Haqqi is a second-year student in the New York University graduate program in Art History and Conservation, where she is an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Library and Archives Conservation. She received her pre-program training at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., and Quarto Conservation of Books and Paper, Maryland. Having served as a student liaison for ECPN over the past year, Saira is excited to begin serving as Co-Outreach Officer.
Carrie McNeal – Outreach
Carrie McNeal will complete her Masters in Conservation of Library and Archival Materials from the Winterhtur/ University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation in August 2013. She is currently completing her third year internship at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. After graduation, Carrie will return to her hometown of St. Louis, MO, to serve the area as a private conservator. Carrie is excited to serve as ECPN Co-Outreach Officer.
Michelle Sullivan – Professional Education and Training
Michelle Sullivan is a second-year fellow at the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC) specializing in the conservation of works on paper. She has completed internships with the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Lunder Conservation Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Prior to her current position as ECPN Professional Education and Training Co-officer, she served as Regional Liaison to Southern California and Graduate Program Liaison to WUDPAC. Michelle is enthusiastic about conservation outreach and working collaboratively with allied fields.
Ayesha Fuentes – Professional Education and Training
Ayesha Fuentes is finishing her second year at the UCLA/Getty MA Program in the Conservation of Archeaological and Ethnographic Materials. Next year she will be working at internships in Bhutan and Cambodia. Ayesha has a BA from Williams College and an MA from Tufts University. Her research interests include the management of cultural heritage in disaster-relief and post-conflict situations, and the conservation of ritual objects from Buddhist and other South Asian traditions. Last year, Ayesha co-founded the Graduate Symposium for Students of Conservation and Preservation (GSSCP) and, in collaboration with Indigo Arts Alliance, established the Denese L. Easterly Conservation Training Pre-Program Grant.
Kendall Trotter – Communications
Kendall Trotter is pre-program with a BA in Art History from Tufts University and a BFA in studio arts from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She has completed pre-program training at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, MA and is currently a pre-program intern at the Cincinnati Art Museum in Cincinnati, OH. Kendall is preparing to apply to graduate programs for Fall 2014. She is excited to serve as Co-Communications officer this year.
Fran Ritchie – Communications
Fran Ritchie completes her MA and CAS degree in Art Conservation from Buffalo State College in the fall of 2013. She has been a Third Year Intern at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University, and after graduation will be relocating to Washington, D.C. to be an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Objects Conservation at the Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian. In addition to her focus on Native American objects (especially organic materials), Fran also has a strong interest in natural science and is on the Conservation Committee of the Society for Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC).
Anisha Gupta – Webinars
Anisha Gupta starts her first year at the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation in the fall of 2013. She has completed her pre-program training at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, University of Illinois Library Conservation Unit, and Indianapolis Museum of Art. She served as ECPN Co-Outreach Officer from 2011-2013. Anisha is passionate about conservation outreach and plans to draw on that enthusiasm as the ECPN Webinar Coordinator.
This post is just a brief introduction to who we are, but you can also follow ECPN’s ongoing projects right here on the AIC blog and on our Facebook page.

I have often been met by blank stares when I tell someone outside the art community that I am training to become an art conservator. They may have never heard of the American Institute for Conservation, but for me it’s been a fantastic boon.

Being a member of AIC shows an ongoing commitment to the field, the institution and its values. Membership helps support all of the advocacy and education work AIC does for the conservation of art and historic artifacts.  Increasing public awareness of the work we do and its importance is a cause I hold dear and am happy to contribute to, even if I can only do so in small ways. In fact, as you probably know already, the 2012 annual meeting is all about outreach.

When I first joined AIC I had my doubts, and many other emerging professionals do too. I had been told by more established professionals that I should join AIC right away. But was membership something I could benefit from, even when I wasn’t 100% sure I would stay in the profession? Was it really worth the fee? Was I going to get anything out of joining?

The membership fee for students is $65. At first this sounded like quite a lot to me because at that time I was a pre-program intern: getting paid little or nothing, commuting long hours, taking pre-requisite classes in the evenings, and babysitting to try to afford all this. But once I realized what being a member actually meant (and that it is only about $5 a month) I decided it was well worth it.

Having access to the latest issues of AIC News and JAIC is a great way to keep up with current research, publications, internships and other career development opportunities. I really enjoy pouring over the printed issues when I get them in the mail. AIC News keeps me up to date with who and what is happening in the field. JAIC provides more depth of knowledge and food for thought. While older volumes of both publications are available online, I find that this resource is really best used when searching for specific information. Also, the annual directory helps me find members by institution, name or geographical area.

AIC is about connecting, communicating, and being committed to conservation.