Did you know that conservators are trained in three disciplines: art history, studio art, and science? LACMA's renowned Conservation Center brings art and science together to examine and treat works of art, using sophisticated technology. Established in 1967, two years after LACMA opened, the museum's Conservation Center was the first conservation department on the West Coast. Today, the center encompasses the following areas of expertise: paintings, textiles, paper, objects, and research. 

Go behind the scenes to learn about objects conservation with senior objects conservator John Hirx. He and his staff are currently working on Chinese ceramics, ancient American ceramics, contemporary sculptures, and more. (You will also get a quick tour of vintage dental instruments that are sometimes used!)

The Chinese ceramics John mentions will soon be on view at the Vincent Price Art Museum (VPAM) in the upcoming exhibition Chinese Ceramics from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), which was created in partnership with VPAM and East Los Angeles College. An important component of On-Site: Neighborhood Partnerships with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the exhibition, which opens on January 24, embodies LACMA's dedication to making our collection and programs accessible to the communities of Los Angeles County in hopes of broadening participation in cultural experiences.