Conservation is all about looking after objects and preserving them for the future and therefore it is at the heart of the Sainsbury Centre�s activities. 'Behind the scenes' at the Sainsbury Centre, there are two members of staff dedicated to preserving the collections. Conservation facilities include a laboratory, clean and de-infestation rooms and controlled handling areas.

The collections are generally in very good condition and the amount of repair or remedial treatment they need is limited. Instead the priority for our conservation staff is to prevent future damage to objects by managing factors that can change their appearance and limit their life-span, such as exposure to light, fluctuating temperature and humidity. Our conservator also oversees the highest standards of framing, mounting, storage and handling of the works in our collection, as well those arriving here for exhibition, and ensures that those standards are maintained and monitored by all Sainsbury Centre staff. This focus on preventative conservation aims to ensure that people can see our objects today and will be able to continue to enjoy them for many, many years to come.