UPCOMING Courses

Specialist training for arts professionals, by conservators.

Conservation in Practice: Foundations in Condition Assessment

Transform how you see, handle, and speak about artworks.

Whether you're advising collectors, managing a gallery, or overseeing loans and storage, being able to see and speak about condition issues with confidence is a vital professional skill.

This immersive, hands-on course offers a rare opportunity to train alongside practicing conservators and develop the judgment, vocabulary, and technical insight used in conservation studios worldwide. Tailored for Southeast Asian contexts, this program builds the foundational skills to recognise risk, evaluate materials, and communicate with precision.

Learn to See What Conservators See.

Condition checking is the starting point of professional art care. This course trains you to recognise signs of damage, deterioration, and risk—whether you're advising clients, managing collections, or preparing works for loan or exhibition.

This program focuses on how materials behave in Southeast Asia’s climate and gives you the language, tools, and judgment to assess condition with technical confidence.

What you’ll learn

  • Identify early signs of damage in paintings and works on paper

  • Understand how materials deteriorate—and why it matters

  • Use conservation terminology accurately in your documentation

  • Advise on framing, storage, and risk with clarity and care

Intensive 3-day programme, May 2026
Limited to 8 professionals per cohort

Why THis course?

The Art Market’s Missing Link: Conservation Literacy for Non-Conservators

Collection managers, curators, and gallery managers are the first line of defense for artworks, yet few are trained to spot risks or communicate conservation needs. This intensive 3-day programme, developed by BARC Labs’ expert conservators, equips you with:

  • The science-backed language to justify conservation decisions to clients.

  • Hands-on skills to conduct condition checks and handle artworks safely.

  • Regional expertise to understand Southeast Asia’s unique preservation challenges.

What you’ll learn

  • Build credibility by grounding participants in the ethical frameworks, scientific principles, and environmental conditions that shape professional conservation practice in the region.

  • Equip participants with practical knowledge of materials, damage types, and condition reporting—translating technical insight into immediately applicable skills.

  • Bridge conservation knowledge with real-world decision-making. Participants learn to identify risks, advise on framing and care, and communicate confidently in client-facing settings.

Who should attend?

Designed for Arts Professionals Committed to Best Practice

  • Gallery managers advising collectors on storage and display

  • Corporate art advisors overseeing business collections

  • Curators managing loans and exhibitions

  • Registrars documenting condition for movement and loans

  • Collection managers responsible for long-term care of artworks

  • Auction specialists assessing lots before sale


Note:
Applicants will be interviewed to ensure cohort diversity and alignment with course goals.

Learn From Experienced Conservators in Practice

Dr. Diana Tay
Founder, Principal Conservator of BARC Labs

With over 16 years working across Southeast Asian and international collections, Diana has encountered a wide spectrum of conservation challenges in museums, institutions, and private settings. Her extensive on-the-ground experience has given her firsthand insight into the unique conditions of Southeast Asia—its climate, environments, and materials. She now draws on this breadth of practice to guide professionals in approaching art care with the eye and judgment of a conservator.

FAQs

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for arts professionals such as registrars, curators, gallery managers, corporate art advisors, and auction specialists who want to strengthen their art care and advisory skills.

Do I need conservation training?

No prior conservation training is required.

The course is designed to introduce core concepts in condition checking and artwork materials, while still offering depth for experienced professionals.

What will I learn?

You’ll learn how to identify agents of deterioration, understand how materials like paintings and paper degrade, apply conservation terminology, and conduct accurate condition checks tailored to Southeast Asia’s climate.

When does IT start?

The first course in the Conservation Fundamentals Series starts in May 2026.

How long is the course?

The program is delivered as a compact professional training, combining lectures, case studies, and practical exercises.

How do I register?

Register your interest in the form below to get priority notice when enrollment opens.

Register your interest

Be the first to know when enrollment opens in October 2025 for our May 2026 cohort. Secure your spot early and join the next generation of professionals advancing art care in Southeast Asia.