Conservator on Retainer™
·Program 02Conservation strategy at institutional scale.
Specialist advisory, analytical testing, disaster pre-planning and crisis cover — for institutions managing multiple sites and complex collections.
About This Program
Institutional-scale conservation support for organisations with complex, multi-site collections.
Large institutions face conservation challenges at a different order of magnitude. Multiple sites, mixed collection types, large workforces, compliance obligations — and the constant pressure to demonstrate evidence-based stewardship to boards, governments and the public. This program is built for that reality.
Program 2 includes all the core COR™ benefits, extended to the scale a large institution requires: more conservator access, more private strategic meetings, more intake waivers, and access to analytical testing services that identify hazardous materials in your collection before they become a workplace safety incident.
Our Director has won multiple awards for excellence in heritage conservation and brings an extensive network — business advisors, logistics providers, insurance brokers and sector specialists — who can be engaged with advance notice to address any institutional challenge.
What's Included
Nine pillars of institutional conservation support.
Monthly Expert Seminars
Online professional development by qualified conservators with decades of experience. Your institution selects the topics most relevant to your collection each year from an annually updated program.
Private Strategic Meetings
One-on-one discussions with our Director and appointed specialists — on any topic your organisation requires. Agenda arranged one month in advance. Recorded and delivered to your team after each session.
Monthly Conservator Access
Direct calls with our senior conservators to discuss any concerns or issues with your collection. 2× per month at Level A, scaling to 6× per month at Levels B and C.
Crisis Support — 24/7
A direct emergency line to our team at any hour. Level C coverage extends to mould and corrosion incidents in addition to fire, flood and insect infestation. Our Director holds ICORP and CEnvP credentials.
Intake Fee Waivers
Level A waives intake fees for 3 conservation intakes per year. Level B extends this to 10. Level C waives all intake fees without limit — including freezer treatment for textiles across all tiers.
Analytical Testing
Workplace health and safety is a critical collection concern. Artwork can contain asbestos, lead paint, cadmium and radioactive materials. Member analytical testing helps you identify, manage and resolve hazardous collection items.
Iconic Conservation
Nominate up to 3 artefacts to our corporate sponsorship register. If selected, we organise delivery, conservation by our specialist team, and return — fully sponsored. Nominations can be changed at any time.
Tiered Member Discounts
Scaled discounts across workshops, digitisation, conservation assessments, conservation management plans, WH&S plans, and disaster preparedness planning — increasing from 10% at Level A to 20% at Level C.
Networking Events
Two in-person events per year at our Canberra conservation lab. As our network expands, regional events provide opportunities to connect with local institutions, service providers and collaborative partners.
Analytical Services
Know what's in your collection before it becomes a safety incident.
In any workplace, WH&S obligations extend to the collection. Artwork can contain asbestos, lead paint, cadmium and radioactive materials. Identifying these risks is the first step — but members receive guidance on practical remediation too.
Hazardous material identification
Analytical testing identifies toxic constituents in collection items — asbestos, heavy metals, radioactive glazes and other hazardous substances — before they expose staff or conservators to risk.
Practical remediation advice
Raising a problem is one thing; fixing it is another. We advise on appropriate responses: glazing solutions, corrosion treatment such as verdigris stabilisation, and storage isolation protocols.
Member pricing per test
Analytical testing is available at $75 per test at Level A, and $65 per test at Levels B and C. Testing is conducted through our network of accredited analytical laboratories.
Select Your Level
Three tiers. Each built for the demands of a large institution.
Prices in AUD + GST
$10,000
+ GST / year
Entry Tier
Large multi-site institution
Member Discounts
$20,000
+ GST / year
Advanced Tier
Large multi-site institution
Member Discounts
$30,000
+ GST / year
Comprehensive Tier
Large multi-site institution — full coverage
Member Discounts
All programs are valid for 12 months from the date of sign-up. Upgrades to a higher level are available at any time. AMaGa membership discount does not apply to Program 2.
Networking events: 2× per year, Canberra
Have Questions?
Not sure which level suits your institution? We're happy to discuss it.
Large institutions often have complex requirements that benefit from a conversation before committing to a tier. Contact us to discuss your collection, your sites, and what level of support makes sense for your organisation.