tailieunhanh - Selecting and Contracting with a Conservator Informed decision making eases the process

A sole-source contract is appropriate if your project is very small, if you already have experience in finding and working with conservation professionals, or if the project is so complex that bid specifications could be inconclusive. Be aware, however, that this option may not automatically be available when working with a government agency’s contracting office; you may have to seek an exception. Always make the case against a sealed bid process, in which cost is the sole determining factor. Stress that the highly specialized nature of works of art requires equally specialized conservation services. Conservators are trained in chemistry, studio arts, and art history and have both theoretical. | Save Outdoor Sculpture __ LodeSTAR SOS is sponsored by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Heritage Preservation. These inserts provide information and assistance to citizens concerned about responsible care of outdoor sculpture. Selecting and Contracting with a Conservator Informed decision making eases the process by Ellen Cochran Hirzy Finding a qualified conservator for outdoor sculpture is serious business. Your ultimate responsibility is to preserve a work of art an irreplaceable treasure that must be approached with the utmost care skill and sensitivity. If the conservator is inexperienced uses inappropriate materials or cuts corners to reduce costs or save time the damage can be devastating and often irreparable. When the conservator is highly qualified sensitive to aesthetic and art historical concerns and knowledgeable about materials and methods the results can bring new life to the sculpture. To the novice project manager the highly specialized field of conservation can be confusing. But many novices have established successful working relationships with conservators and in the process gained confidence in their ability to understand the complexities of conservation. This handbook is written for owners of public sculpture and other community leaders who want to save this valuable heritage for future generations. The key to responsible action is information. When you know what your needs are seek sound professional advice and evaluate prospective conservators qualifications thoroughly you are better equipped to make wise and prudent decisions about conservation. Use this handbook to prepare for the selection and contracting process and as a guide to contracting options. Remember that ultimately the success of a conservation project and the future well-being of your community s sculpture depend on the qualifications and skills of the conservator you choose. 1. Clarify purposes and expectations. Before you begin looking for a conservator you must be .