VMFA awarded $331,000 grant to expand conservation education offerings, outreach

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was awarded a $331,054 grant, announced Tuesday, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support the “Connect to Conservation” program, a three-year effort that will expand educational offerings and outreach from the museum’s Susan and David Goode Center for Advanced Study in Art Conservation.

Under the grant, the VMFA will engage students from diverse backgrounds in pursuing conservation careers, provide training and professional development for postgraduate professionals, and share collections care knowledge with museums across the Commonwealth.

This initiative builds on VMFA’s strategic investment in the Goode Conservation Center, which moved into a newly designed nearly 10,000-square-foot space in 2010 when the expanded museum reopened. After outfitting the studios with specialized conservation technology and tools for object-based research, the museum then focused on expanding its in-house team of conservators. Construction and equipment for the expanded center totaled $6 million.

“VMFA has developed an outstanding conservation program, and this grant allows us to embrace our responsibility to develop a generation of diverse conservators and share our expertise with colleagues,” VMFA Director Alex Nyerges said. “By further opening our doors as a training ground and taking our scholarship and knowledge to other venues, we are showcasing the great work under way at VMFA and expanding our reputation as a leader in art conservation.”

The initiative will kick off in October.