SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE
Internship Bursaries in Venice
City & Guilds of London Art School
Josh Horsfall and Carla Learoyd, 2023 Conservation interns, working in San Giorgio
INTERNSHIP
The annual internship sponsored by Venice in Peril for BA Conservation graduates from the City & Guilds of London Art School is a valuable initiative to provide work experience to young conservators. Established in 2009 by Marina Morrisson Atwater, a trustee of Venice in Peril, this programme offers a 10-week immersive experience for interns, allowing them to live and work at the historic Benedictine Abbey of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice.
Set up as a partnership between the Benedictine Abbey of San Giorgio Maggiore, the City & Guilds of London Art School and Venice in Peril Fund, the internship provides experience in conservation maintenance and an opportunity to explore Venice and the wide range of conservation work that is always in progress in the city.
Under the guidance of Carmelo Grasso, Director of the Abbey's cultural programme, interns engage in conservation maintenance, gaining hands-on experience and making daily decisions on cleaning methods and approaches. Each work programme, devised by Grasso, entails a condition survey followed by the conservative maintenance of a defined area within the church, including any altar or monument present. The acquisition of a modular scaffolding tower in 2014 expanded the scope of projects that can be undertaken.
San Giorgio Maggiore
The internship not only offers practical training in conservation but also allows interns to explore the rich history, architecture, and environment of Venice. Living in the Benedictine abbey provides a unique opportunity for cultural immersion and a deeper understanding of the city's unique challenges and conservation needs. The interns also gain valuable insights into working on a conservation site, using scaffolding, and developing observational skills for identifying and addressing conservation issues. This programme is aimed at nurturing the next generation of conservation professionals, exemplifying the collaborative efforts required to protect the artistic and architectural treasures of Venice.
