Smaller museums, which may have no resources to produce replicas and other gifts, can make use of the Museum Store Association to stock their shops. This non-profit association arranges for items produced in large museums to be retailed by other institutions. Much of the staff may be volunteers, but professionals, especially in management positions, are sorely needed. The conservation department is the domain of the highly trained specialists who preserve and restore works of art. Restoration includes repairing and reconstructing ceramics and sculpture, cleaning paintings, repairing torn textiles, cleaning works on paper.
Conservators adhere to a strict code of ethics that ensures the integrity of each object.
All repairs must be reversible and visible to the observer. Conservators may reconstruct damaged portions of an art work, but they must, remain completely faithful to each artist's intention and refrain from exercising in personal style or taste. Consequently they are excellent places in which to learn - and highly competitive places in which to find employment. Small Museums and Local Historical Societies may be a better bet for entry-level jobs. They don't pay as well as large institutions, but because they are often understaffed, you have a better chance of moving up quickly into more responsible positions.