This significant award will help launch VMFA’s newly conceived center for advanced study in art conservation, designed to bring conservators and curators together with scientists, art scholars, and global experts for focused collaborative research.

“We are thrilled to have received this recognition from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation,” Chief Conservator and Senior Deputy Director for Collections Stephen Bonadies said. “This generous gift enables us to initiate an ambitious research program that will enhance scholarship and understanding of our world-class African Art collection and be the pilot for the new conservation center.”

The three key objectives of the project include

Technical analysis
In an effort to become a leader in the technical study and conservation of African art, the project team is conducting research to deepen the knowledge of works of art in the African art collection and establishing best practices and protocols for handling the unique range of materials and cultural considerations encountered in African art.

Collaborative research
The technical examination and study of the objects are conducted in an atmosphere of collaborative research to substantially enrich dialogue about the works of art to the benefit of the art conservation, art history, and curatorial disciplines.

Enhancing career opportunities
VMFA is committed to promoting diversity in the museum profession pipeline through paid internships and fellowships during the grant project period, with a particular focus on attracting minority candidates and international candidates from regions where conservation and curatorial training may be more limited.