Frequently Asked Questions Museums of France (7/8)

A high level of qualification required for professionals working on the collections of museums in France

In France, the conservation and restoration of cultural property is governed by demanding ethical principles that require extensive research and justify the high level of qualification expected, fixed in the heritage code for properties listed on the inventories of museums in France (Articles L. 452-1 and R. 452-10 to R. 452-13).

What training courses are recognized by the Ministry of Culture?

4 training courses, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, deliver a master’s degree in conservation and restoration of cultural property allowing to intervene on the collections of museums of France:

• the National Heritage Institute (INP) , mention conservation-restoration of cultural goods for specialties: Fire arts (metal, ceramic, enamel, glass), Graphic arts and book, Textile arts, Furniture, Painting (easel, mural), Photography, Sculpture;
• Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne University, mention conservation-restoration of cultural property, specialty restoration of cultural property (graphic arts, book, 3D objects, painting, stained glass);
• TALM-Tours School of Art and Design, mention Conservation-restoration of cultural property specialty Sculpted works;
• the École supérieure d'art d'Avignon, mention conservation-restoration contemporary art and ethnographic artifacts.

List of graduates: https://www.ffcr.fr/liste-diplomes

As a professional, I want to validate my experience, which would allow me to work on the collections of a «Musée de France». How do I do this?

In addition to these courses, there are other access routes that correspond to legal cases provided for by the French Heritage Code:
the professionals, who did not graduate but who worked between 1997 and 2002, could be recognized by an enabling commission that worked until 2010.
through the validation of experience acquired (VAE) at the National Heritage Institute): https://www.inp.fr/Formation-initiale-et-continue/Formation-des-restaurateurs/Procedure-de-VAE 
by the validation of its acquired experience (VAE) at the University Paris I Panthéon – Sorbonne: https://formation-continue.pantheonsorbonne.fr/valider-ses-acquis/valider-ses-acquis-lexperience-vae 

A graduate of a master’s degree in conservation restoration of cultural property in a country of the European Union, I want to work on the collections of a «Musée de France». How do I do this?

The 2013 revised directive on the recognition of professional qualifications made it necessary to apply this new framework to conservators for regulated access to interventions on the collections of museums in France.
The French Heritage Code – Art. R452-11 (V) specifies the terms and conditions for opening the possibility for these professionals to practice in France. 
The procedure is specified by the decree of 3 May 2016 on the qualifications required to carry out the restoration of a property belonging to the collections of museums of France?

Thus, persons meeting the above conditions submit to the Ministry of Culture, Department of Museums of France, an application for Recognition of Professional Qualifications (QPR), which includes the following documents:

• a formal request for recognition of professional qualifications for the restoration of property belonging to the museum collections of France;
• a double-sided copy of the national identity card;
• a detailed description of the courses followed;
• a copy of the diplomas and other diplomas awarded by the competent authorities of a Member State of the European Union (grade master 2 in conservation and restoration of cultural property). These requirements differ according to the rules of each Member State on access to the profession and on the activity of restaurateur;
• a copy of his resume in pdf format, with a detailed description of the latest professional experiences. 

The file must be sent to:

1. by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt to the Service des musées de France, Bureau des acquisitions, de la restauration, de la conservation préventive et de la recherche (6 rue des Pyramides 75 041 Paris cedex 01)
2. ET by sending digitally to the Head of the Office of Acquisitions, Restoration, Preventive Conservation and Research: rqp.restaurateur-smf@culture.gouv.fr

The vocational qualification is then published in the Official Bulletin of the Ministry of Culture.

https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Thematiques/Conservation-restauration/Acteurs-et-Formations/Acteurs-de-la-conservation-restauration-des-biens-culturels 
Professional Qualifications https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Thematiques/Conservation-restauration/Acteurs-et-Formations/Les-qualifications-professionnelles
Credential Recognition: https://www.he-arc.ch/conservation-restauration/reconnaissance-des-titres/