Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation
Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation is Australia's pre-eminent research innovation, education and commercialisation centre of excellence for the conservation and preservation of cultural material.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Cultural conservation centre to become part of world-leading research institute
The establishment of the Robert Cripps Institute for Cultural Conservation, which will expand upon the pioneering work of the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, was announced by the University of Melbourne.
What we do
As the only centre of its kind in Australia, we combine the theory and practice of cultural materials conservation and deliver conservation research, education, and services.
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Conservation Research
Through conservation research, we enable individuals and communities to explore their past, create identity and community in the present, and access their heritage into the future.
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Teaching and Learning
We develop and teach a range of programs that emphasise philosophical, intellectual, scientific and industry-based thinking. On this page, you can learn about our programs, pathways, student information and publications.
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Conservation Services
Grimwade Conservation Services brings together leading researchers from across the University of Melbourne to deliver conservation solutions for institutions and private clients throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Keeping Knowledge Alive
The Grimwade Centre aims to develop Australia’s capacity to conserve our continuing cultural record. Our approach is led by academics and industry practitioners and supported by national and international partners.
Conservation can’t succeed without context. Find out how we’re working with senior Indigenous knowledge holders. For close to a decade, staff and students at the Grimwade Centre and Gija Elders and artists and staff at the Warmun Art Centre, in Western Australia’s Kimberley Region, have been working together to increase knowledge across their two communities.
About Teaching and Learning
Grimwade students build interdisciplinary expertise through the Arts and Science faculties, gain professional practices with leading cultural institutions and industry partners, access 15 museums and galleries and over 30 individual collections on campus. Our flagship program is the Master of Cultural Materials Conservation.
Our students are based in state-of-the-art facilities on Swanston Street thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Cripps Foundation.
About Conservation Services
Grimwade Conservation Services specialises in all areas of art restoration and museum standard conservation for institutions and private clients. As a trusted leader in conservation practice and training in Australia and the Asia Pacific region, our client base includes: significant national, state and regional public collections and cultural organisations; commercial galleries; corporate collections; and, private collections.
News and Upcoming Events
Through conservation research, we enable individuals and communities to explore their past, create identity and community in the present, and access their heritage into the future.
The Centre
The Grimwade Centre is committed to a whole of cycle approach to research training, incubation, translation and commercialisation. This end to end integration has underpinned the development of the Centre's conservation programs since it commenced operation over thirty years ago
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Research Programs
Our programs engage research leaders across the globe, delivers innovative solutions to industry, and supports practical solutions to community embedded problems which impact the sustainability of cultural material
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Research projects
Grimwade Centre research is characterised by ARC Linkage Grants, long term partnerships, and effective research translation
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Research impacts
Conservation research is designed for impact from programs to measurement criteria to value assessment to strategy
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Research partners
We have a diverse range of stakeholders, formal collaborations and short term and long term research partners
Research themes
As a globally connected conservation research hub, the Grimwade centre seeds next generation research, contributes to cutting edge research methods, and examines intergenerational issues across a range of contexts
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Interdisciplinary Research
We provide interdisciplinary research solutions for regional and global challenges through our academic, professional and technical expertise
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Research groups
Our staff and student research is developed across six Research Groups
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Postgraduate research
Our graduates form an important community of scholars in the field of conservation
Visiting Scholars and Local Experts
Grimwade Centre hosts visiting scholars and fellows, honorary staff, industry experts and graduate fellowships to builds the centres research, teaching, and engagement profile through collaborative projects and diverse publications.
We develop and teach a range of programs that emphasise philosophical, intellectual, scientific and industry-based thinking. On this page, you can learn about our programs, pathways, student information and publications.
Master of Cultural Materials Conservation
Take advantage of our unique position as Australia's conservation research centre. Our interdisciplinary postgraduate program provides students with the opportunity to work with academics, senior heritage professionals and conservators.
Through a mix of social and material science, learn to conserve cultural knowledge for future generations. You’ll interact with Indigenous art centres, including the Warmun Art Centre, global partners like the National Museum of the Philippines, and local institutions such as Museums Victoria.
Doctor of Philosophy - Arts
Grimwade PhD students undertake the Doctor of Philosophy, the highest Arts degree offered by the University of Melbourne. By writing a sustained thesis (80,000-100,000 words) of independent research which examines a specific problem, issue or topic, you will make a significant and original contribution to conservation in a chosen area of study. We encourage research applications in our specialisations and research groups but also emerging priority areas impacting the conservation of diverse cultural activity.
Prospective students can follow:
The School of Historical and Philosophical Studies expression of interest (EOI) process to establish entry requirements and supervision requirements.
Bridging Course
The Grimwade Centres Chemistry Bridging Course has been specifically developed to teach the fundamentals of chemistry to those entering the Master of Arts in Cultural Material Conservation. Our non-award, one-week course is tailored for students without a chemistry background
Masters Research
Master of Arts (Thesis Only) lets you showcase your ability to present and argue a coherent hypothesis (30,000 words) on your chosen conservation issue, as supported by research and analysis. It can act as a pathway to a Doctor of Philosophy – Arts degree.
Master of Arts (Advanced Seminar and Shorter Thesis) provides you the flexibility to pursue an area of conservation research that interests you and produce a thesis (20,000-22,000 words) based on original research. It can act as a pathway to a Doctor of Philosophy – Arts degree.
Graduate coursework
Specialist Certificate in Cross-Cultural Conservation and Heritage (SC-CCCONS) (25 credit points) is designed as a knowledge exchange program and draws on industry and community partnerships to combine traditional and contemporary approaches to the preservation of cultural objects across a range of cultural settings. The Specialist Certificate is a pathway to further study in the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced).
Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - Cultural Materials Conservation (50 credit points) allows students to undertake coursework subjects in cultural materials conservation. It provides students with an introduction to cultural material conservation that combines theory and practice. The Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) is entry pathway to the Master of Cultural Materials Conservation.
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About Us
We are a leader in art restoration, museum-grade conservation, and training in the Asia Pacific region.
Grimwade Conservation Services boasts one of the best-equipped conservation laboratories in Australia and has access to the specialist analytical equipment and expertise of The University of Melbourne.
In 2021, we were honored to win the Australasia Green Impact Cup for our commitment to sustainable practice. As of August 2022, we have been certified as a Green Level Certified Lab, furthering our dedication to environmental responsibility.
EMERGENCY FLOOD SUPPORT: New resources to assist communities to salvage flood damaged items can be found here.
Our services
We offer a broad range of professional conservation and restoration services, servicing clients across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
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Conservation treatment
Conservation treatments for all types of materials
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Collection care
Collection care and advice on a variety of topics, ranging from preventive conservation and disaster recovery to collection storage and relocation.
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Technical analysis and attribution
Scientific analysis of cultural heritage materials, objects or works of art. Technical analysis is also available for attribution assessments of objects or works of art.
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Material analysis for built heritage
Advanced scientific analysis of built heritage materials and environments
Recent work
The Loong Conservation Project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Living Heritage Grants Program. The Grimwade Conservation Services team and students worked in partnership with the Bendigo Chinese Association to complete conservation work. Video: Paul Burston.
Training resources
Workshops and training programs can be specifically tailored for your needs. We can cover general topics or address specific issues, materials or techniques. The programs can be run at our laboratories in North Melbourne, at Grimwade Conservation Services teaching laboratories at the University's Parkville campus or at your museum or facility.
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reCollections
reCollections: Caring for Distributed Collections is designed to help people care for their objects and their collections. Written by conservators, it provides a sound guide for the care and management of cultural items and collections.
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Conservation Learning Series
The Conservation Series is a short, online learning program for anyone interested in enhancing their collection management skills.
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Professional Learning
Book specialised workshops led by renowned experts and tailored to your organisations needs.
Our people
The conservation staff at Grimwade Conservation Services comprises a team of qualified and experienced conservators dedicated to the preservation and treatment of a wide range of cultural materials.
Contact us
Have a question about conservation? Get in touch.
Contact us