Summer @ The Institute

Summer Session I
(May 18 - June 30, 2026)

FINH-NA 500-001: Introduction to the Conservation of Contemporary Art

Instructor: Caroline Carlsmith, MS/MA
Meets: Thursdays, 6PM-8PM

Course Description: Today’s contemporary art is tomorrow’s cultural heritage, but preserving it for the future can pose significant challenges for art conservators. Contemporary artists are experimenting with newly available media and materials with meager preservation precedents, while also expanding the boundaries of what has traditionally been considered “art.” To meet the needs of these new forms, conservators must navigate mysterious materials and shifting artistic paradigms, while also negotiating the potentially conflicting wishes of constituents including artists, collectors, and both current and future publics.

This lecture series will introduce current topics in the conservation of contemporary art with a focus on both conceptual frameworks and practical approaches. Each week will explore one topic in depth, with units covering a brief history of conservation theory and ethics; ideas of authorship and artistic intention; new media and materials; ephemeral and externally-dependent artworks; sustainability and market pressures; and historical precedents. Designed for students of all backgrounds, the course will familiarize participants with key theories, treatment methods, and illustrative case studies in contemporary art conservation, while encouraging critical engagement with the complexities that arise from attempts to preserve the vital cultural material of our era.

Registration Requirements: Open to adult-aged learners only living in the tri-state area