Szkolnictwo konserwatorskie w Polsce : dorobek, stan obecny, kierunki rozwoju

At the beginning the author states that it is a mistake to treat and discuss the training of conservators of movable and immovable historic monuments as a whole. Therefore, the present paper deals only with the training of conservators of movable historic monuments. One of the greatest achievements of Polish conservation discipline after the World War II is the organization of the training of conservators of movable monuments in higher schools, including the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow and in Warsaw and in the Copernicus University in Toruń. The author describes in detail their present structure. He states that nothing has been done to improve housing conditions of monuments conservation workshops and presents requirements for qualified specialists in 1976— 1990. The author is in favour of various solutions concerning the location of this kind of schools, both those attached to universities and to academies of fine arts. This would create better possibilities for a selection of students. The author goes on to discuss the organization of the studies which last 5 years (the 5th year is final). Worth emphasizing is the fact that this discipline attracts many foreign students. A specific form of distinction for graduates is a participation and awards in annual contests organized by the Ministry of Culture and Arts in cooperation with the Board of Museums and Monuments Protection for the best scientific and research works as well as for design and popularization studies concerning the protection and conservation of monuments and museology. Cracow and Warsaw have 32 teachers each, while Toruń can boast 54. Torun’s Institute of Museology and Conservation has the right to grant academic degrees of doctor of arts, while Cracow’s Conservation Department has an exclusive right in Poland to run 1st and 2nd degree post-graduate studies qualifying for the post of tutor and assistant profesor of conservation. The most important field in higher conservation training — except for didactics — is scientific and research work which has given birth to a number of interesting scientific publications. The author holds a negative view of the plan to establish the central institute because of great costs that would be involved in its creation and equipment. In 1981, on the basis of an agreement, there came to life the Intercollegiate Scientific and Didactic Centre for Arts Conservation, attached to the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Its main task is to carry out the following activities: (1) methodological and programmed work comprising problems of the form and methods of training the personnel, (2) didactic work, i.e. coordination, teaching and improving the knowledge of the personnel, (3) research work, i.e. initiation, coordination and carrying out of works, (4) popularization. An important and inseparable problem is the improvement of staff’s qualifications. In the final part of his consideration on conservation teaching, the author takes up the subject of training assistant workers, i.e. technicians and laboratory operators. Still, there is no clear definition of the scope and rights for the above group of workers who would be cooperating with conservators of works of art, which in turn results in unprecise aims and programmes for their teaching. In conclusion it is stated that the improving of housing conditions and setting-up of a programme for secondary education is one of the most important problems of conservation training in Poland.