Category: Emerging Conservation Professionals

ECPN Meeting Minutes

Monday, November 5, 2012

Attendees:

Molly Gleeson (Chair)

Eliza Spaulding (Vice Chair)

Angela Curmi (Communications)

Anisha Gupta (co-Outreach)

Avigail Charnov (Architectural Specialty Group Liaison)

Ruth Seyler (AIC Staff Liaison)

Rebecca Rushfield (ETC)

Ryan Winfield (AIC Staff Liaison)

Saira Haqqi (Graduate School Liaison – NYU)

Stephanie Lussier (Board Liaison)

Rachael Perkins-Arenstein (AIC e-Editor)

 

 

1. September Meeting Minutes Approved

 

2. Portfolio Session Planning – Molly will have Gwen send an email update. She is currently contacting potential speakers.

 

3. ECPN Annual Meeting Poster-Survey Plans

• Angela is working on the survey revisions and will try to have these done by the end of the week. Ruth would also like to look over the survey. If it is going to all AIC members, she may want to ask additional questions, or create a series of surveys out of this. However, she cannot have this done by December 1^st. She will talk to Eryl first. Ruth is also concerned about sending out too many surveys to people.
• Molly asked how much time is needed to work on the poster, and Anisha responded that it would be best to have about 3 months with the data to work on the poster, using the last month for formatting and editing. This means data should be collected at the beginning of February. Angela and Anisha will make the revisions by the end of the week and send to Ruth. Ruth will then decide whether it should be 1 or 2 surveys.
• Rachael agreed with Ruth that other questions could be incorporated since this is going to all AIC membership. They will be in touch.

 

4. Mentoring Program Restructuring

• Eliza has been trying to streamline the program – one idea is to spread the work out among a few committee members: the vice-chair will oversee the program, one co-professional education and training officer will be in charge of pre-program mentoring, another in charge of post-graduate mentoring. A lot of pre-program mentees have similar interests and needs, so Eliza suggested we put together a series of documents in an accessible place (perhaps facebook?) where they can also share questions and have a dialogue. That way there will be a smaller pool of mentees. The document on basecamp outlines this plan and gives a timeline for implementation.
• Molly suggested building the pre-program info on the wiki. Rachael responded that this would be an easy place to develop the documents and it can be constantly updated, but facebook would be a good place for dialogue once the documents have been developed. Anisha commented that this discussion should also be on the blog for those who don’t have facebook.
• Stephanie asked about the timeline and whether we would no longer be accepting pre-program applicants starting in December. Eliza responded that phase 1 of the plan would be establishing the infrastructure (with the new roles to govern the program) and then by March the new structure would be in place. Ruth expressed concern about no longer accepting pre-program applications, and Eliza asked whether pre-program mentees should then remain part of the match process.
• Stephanie commented that we should not say that the program is shutting down in December but that applications will not be accepted again until March. This will give us enough time to catch up and for the new vice chair and team to become familiar with the program. She said pre-program mentees usually require less work from mentors and shouldn’t be excluded.
• Eliza proposed that we make the resources available, and then if this is not enough they can still apply to be pre-program mentees. She also explained that there is not a large volume of applicants that comes in. If an effort is made to keep up with each match cycle, then it’s manageable. Ruth commented that we should also make clear what this program can and can’t do, refine the description. Also, make the pre-program mentorship more scripted than the post-grad. Eliza will talk to past mentees and get their feedback on this. Stephanie asked about resources to help mentors as well. Eliza responded that she does share a list of helpful tips for mentors.
• Molly suggested tying in the work on the wiki as good pre-program experience – people can be paired up. Rachael commented that pre-program and grad students often want to help but don’t know enough information, so they should be paired up with established conservators who know the content but don’t know how to use the wiki. Certain people might also get more out of certain topics – this should also be considered. The wiki can be a good vehicle for providing virtual one-on-one mentoring around content. This can be suggested as something mentors and mentees can do together.
• Eliza is going to re-work the mentoring program description. She will outline the resources available, especially for pre-program, but the mentoring program will still be available to everyone. She will write a follow-up email on this.
• Stephanie asked how long the relationships will last and Eliza responded that each is individual and we leave it up to them to decide when they have gotten what they need out of it. Contact with the program itself is not necessary. Eliza had sent out a survey and found that many mentors were ready to come back to the program and be matched again. In correspondence with mentors, she tells them to let us know when they have reached that point. She will write up more specific instructions.

 

5. New Grad Student Liaisons – Communications, Encouraging Work on the Wiki

• Graduate student liaisons have been established with Buffalo, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, Queens, Winterthur (one or two liaisons each). They are always welcome to join our calls. Since we have a lot of project-based calls, we are now having conference calls every 2 months. This will need to be updated on the flyer and AIC website. We can also use facebook to let everyone know when calls are scheduled.
• Molly said we will be communicating with the graduate student liaisons about the wiki – incorporating student papers or coming up with topics. This is something to think about in the near future. Rachael said students at Winterthur are using their assignments on instrumental analysis for wiki articles and the RATS group is interested in seeing this. Molly and Rachael will draft something. The list of liaisons will also be up on the website soon.

 

6. Updates from Liaisons

• Avigail will work on getting liaisons from the Penn program as well.
• Anisha had an update from Robin O’Hern – the committee on sustainable conservation practice is looking for someone for a student position. She will post this information.
• Molly mentioned that there is a letter (re: organizing SG support at the annual meeting) on basecamp drafted by her and LeeAnn which she will share with the liaisons.

 

7. Student Research Resource Update

• Carrie has arranged a call with Eryl next Tuesday.
• Angela has been in touch with the SGs and will summarize their feedback in a document and share with the group before the call.

 

8. Webinar

• Eliza asked Ryan if it would be possible to use the webinar program from 12-1 for the google hangout practice. Ryan has this scheduled. Eliza will send the list of people who will be participating.
• Angela will post the webinar announcement tonight on the blog.

 

9. Next call: Monday, December 17^th, 2012 at 1pm EST

 

On November 30, 2012, the Emerging Conservation Professionals Network (ECPN) held its second webinar – “Considering your future career path: working in private practice.” 80  registered participants called in to learn valuable insight into the world of private practice from Paul Messier, President and Head Conservator of Paul Messier LLC, Conservation of Photographs & Works on Paper (http://paulmessier.com/); Rosa Lowinger, Principal and Chief Conservator of Rosa Lowinger & Associates (http:// www.rlaconservation.com/), which specializes in the conservation of objects, sculpture, and architecture; and Julia Brennan, Owner and Chief Conservator of Textile Conservation Services (http://www.caringfortextiles.com/).

The program began with a brief introduction from each speaker on their practice. Messier, who studied at the Buffalo State College Art Conservation Program, established his Boston-based practice 18 years ago and employs three full-time workers and two part-time interns. Lowinger, who is a graduate of New York University’s Conservation Program, has been in private practice since 1986. She employs three graduate-trained conservators and three full-time technicians in a practice with offices in Miami and Los Angeles. Brennan, who completed her training through apprenticeships, has been in private practice for 20 years and has a small, home-based practice, which employs one to three people depending on the project, as well as an apprentice and interns. Each speaker explained why they decided to establish their own practice – generally for personal reasons and a desire for greater independence – and how their businesses have grown and evolved over the years.

The speakers also discussed their work beyond treatment projects and how they balance various initiatives, emphasizing the importance of playing an active role in the field and not becoming isolated. Messier is focused on research, particularly on 20^th-century photography, and has amassed an incomparable reference collection over the years, an aspect of his work which private practice has given him the freedom to take on. He is committed to educating the next generations of conservators through internships, and he is involved in a project at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, where a photograph conservation department is being set up. Messier is also dedicated to working with AIC as a volunteer and has served as chair on various committees. Lowinger’s greatest interest is in working with artists and contributing to the discussion on conservation of modern and contemporary art and architecture. She also is involved in outreach initiatives throughout Latin America and the Caribbean and is particularly devoted to outreach in her home country of Cuba. Finally, she is an active writer on conservation for various publications and blogs and feels strongly that there is a need for conservators to tell our own story, rather than have it told by reporters. Brennan is involved in several local groups, as well as groups of related fields, such as conservation care and preventive conservation. A major part of her work is her outreach to Thailand and Laos and other countries throughout Southeast Asia and Africa, where she leads training workshops on preventive conservation and textile conservation, and has established a regional forum for the care of textiles. She, too, dedicates time to writing articles, being available to others as a mentor, and to getting involved in the broader family of cultural heritage.

The final discussion question asked for one piece of advice from each speaker for those considering going into private practice. Messier spoke on self-confidence, patience, and the importance of networking and building long-term relationships. Lowinger emphasized the importance of collaborating with and learning from others in private practice, even if from afar. Brennan advised taking a course in project management and learning to balance large with small projects, being passionate about your work, and investing time in your clients.

The next part of the webinar consisted of an audience Q&A and again the speakers shared great practical information and advice. Responding to a question on whether they ever worry about having too much competition in the private practice world due to the scarcity of jobs in institutions, all three speakers agreed that, while competition is always a concern in life in general, what is important is trusting your own experience and knowledge, as well as acknowledging your limitations and being willing to work with others. Other questions centered on establishing a client base at the start of your practice, as well as justifying the price of your work to your clients when you are new to the field. Each speaker emphasized that communication with clients is critical to establishing a loyal client base. Never delay in answering messages and always be calm and professional. Brennan suggested doing pro bono and outreach work – more work will come back to you as a result, she explained.

All three speakers also stressed that even emerging conservators must be scrupulous about what they charge and should try not to undercut to gain work. Not only does this have a negative impact on your own practice, but it also undermines the value of our profession. Rather than charging less than their worth, emerging conservators should limit their scope and recognize their capabilities in the beginning of their practice, and must be willing to work with others.

Responses to unanswered questions will be available soon. ECPN will keep you informed on where this can be accessed once it has been posted.

ECPN would also like to emphasize that Conservators in Private Practice (CIPP) is a specialty group of AIC that exists to provide its members a forum to exchange information, suggestions, and tips on running private practice conservation businesses. CIPP has a discounted $5 student rate. You can find more information about CIPP and how to join it, along with useful resources and links, by following this link: www.conservation-us.org/privatepractice.

For more information on ECPN’s webinar series, please visit www.conservation-us.org/ecpnforum.

The Emerging Conservation Professionals Network (ECPN) is looking forward to our second webinar – “Considering your future career path: working in private practice” – which will take place Friday, November 30, 2012, from 1-2pm EST.

The program will feature Paul Messier, President and Head Conservator of Paul Messier LLC, Conservation of Photographs & Works on Paper; Rosa Lowinger, Principal and Chief Conservator of Rosa Lowinger & Associates, which specializes in the conservation of objects, sculpture, and architecture; and Julia Brennan, Owner and Chief Conservator of Textile Conservation Services.

The webinar will include a moderated discussion and Q&A session, where we will learn about our speakers’ experiences establishing their businesses and their evolution, how they have learned to balance various initiatives and projects, and their advice for those considering going into private practice.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions before and after the webinar here on the AIC blog. Please submit your questions as comments to this post, or email them to Anisha Gupta at anishagupta72[at]gmail[dot]com. Questions will be accepted until the morning of the forum. During the webinar, your questions will be posed anonymously. All answered questions will be followed up on after the program in an AIC blog post.

Attendance is free and open to all AIC members. Registration is required and will be open until the forum starts. To register for the webinar, please visit www.conservation-us.org/ecpnforum.