Conservation
The Conservation section is involved in an active or advisory capacity in the scientific examination, research, preservation and display of all objects, focussing chiefly on the world cultures collections. The emphasis of our work is on preventing damage and slowing natural degradation. Conservators work collaboratively with curatorial staff to define standards and advise on appropriate conditions for the storage and display of objects, including light, temperature and humidity levels, air quality standards, and supports. They examine objects before they are acquired, confirming materials and fabrication techniques, identifying previous repairs, investigating the causes of deterioration and noting vulnerabilities that would affect study, exhibition or loan.
Conservators are active participants on exhibition and gallery planning teams. They provide curriculum internships for conservation students and periodically offer courses to students at the University of Toronto, members and the general public about collections care.
Conservation treatments are done when objects are damaged by age, accident, history or inherent instability. Conservators specializing in textiles, paper, decorative art, stone, ceramics, metals and ethnographic objects stabilize, repair and restore objects. They keep all intervention to a minimum to ensure that the objects are safe today, and will remain so for years to come.
Conservation Department
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON
M5S 2C6
Tel: 416.586.5793
Fax: 416.586.8036
E-mail: conservation@rom.on.ca
A conservator, at work treating the wall mural Paradise of Maitreya, October 2005. 
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