Observe · Regulate · Protect — since 2007. 19th OIMAP General Assembly: Singapore, 10–12 June 2026. Programme
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24 October 2026 · Updated at 07:47 GMT FR EN ES Member area Log in
Training

Experts and curators

Authentication, conservation and ethics: the Expert-Curator Diploma and continuing training for collection professionals.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

Pages in this section

Jar with Design in Underglaze Iron (1800s–1900s)Authentication of worksStylistic examination, scientific analysis, archival research: the three pillars of attribution, taught with real cases.› Self-Portrait with Five Muses, Henry Church (c. 1880)Conservation and documentationConserving, documenting and inventorying: good practice to protect collections and their history.› Salver, Carlo Bugatti (c. 1907)Ethics of experts and curatorsIndependence, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, respect for communities: the code of conduct taught to all trainees.›

Those who look closely at works

Annunciation to the Shepherds: Leaf from a Book of Hours (1 of 6 Excised Leaves), Henri d'Orquevaulx (c. 1420–30)
Annunciation to the Shepherds: Leaf from a Book of Hours (1 of 6 Excised Leaves), Henri d'Orquevaulx (c. 1420–30)

Experts and curators are the guardians of knowledge about works: they attribute, date, document, protect. Their judgement affects the value of works, the reputation of collections and public trust. The Academy offers them training to deepen their method and keep up with the evolution of tools.

The Expert-Curator Diploma, lasting twelve months, is the reference of the section. Short modules allow professionals to update their skills.

This section presents authentication, conservation and ethics.

  • Experts
  • Curators
  • Diploma

Experts and curators in figures

360Experts accredited by OIMAP
12 monthsLength of diploma
24Partner laboratories
88%Diploma pass rate

Source: OIMAP Academy.

Three modules

Panel (c. 1780–1840)MethodAuthentication

Attribution and dating.

›Compass and Sun Dial (1700–1750)CollectionsConservation

Prevention and documentation.

›Miniature Teapot, Mikhail Evlampievich Perkhin (1886–96)EthicsEthics

Independence and ethics.

›

Breakdown

Painting and graphic arts32%
Sculpture and decorative arts24%
Archaeology20%
Tribal art16%
Manuscripts8%

Trainees' specialities.

The Four Seasons, Kano Tan’yū (1668)
The Four Seasons, Kano Tan’yū (1668)
Portfolio I, Plate 34: The Blanket Weaver-Navaho, Edward S. Curtis (1904)
Portfolio I, Plate 34: The Blanket Weaver-Navaho, Edward S. Curtis (1904)
Jar with Stamped Decoration (1400s)
Jar with Stamped Decoration (1400s)

A demanding training

The diploma combines courses, placements in laboratories and museums, and a research dissertation. Trainees work on cases of attribution, dating and restoration, with the support of accredited experts. The programme is recognised by several universities, which award credits.

A third of trainees are museum curators, a third independent experts and a third restorers or researchers.

Complementary methods

The art historian's eye, the scientist's analysis, the archivist's research and knowledge of the market complement one another. The programme teaches how to cross-check them and to formulate cautious, nuanced and justified conclusions.

Trainees also practise writing expert reports that are readable by judges or buyers.

Accreditation of experts

OIMAP accredits experts for its certification procedure. Accreditation, valid for five years, requires a diploma, experience, a declaration of independence and an ethical commitment. The Expert-Curator Diploma is one of the routes.

The list of accredited experts is public and updated every quarter.

Continuing training

Practising experts and curators can take modules of three to five days: new analysis techniques, provenance law, artificial intelligence applied to attribution, digital documentation. Hands-on laboratory workshops are offered in Paris and Singapore.

One day of continuing training a year is mandatory to keep accreditation.

Careers

Three pathways
CareersDurationAudience
Expert-Curator Diploma12 monthsExperts, curators
Specialisation modules3 to 5 daysPractising professionals
Annual continuing training1 dayAccredited experts

Milestones

  1. First diploma

    Twelve trainees.

  2. Accreditation

    List of experts.

  3. Partner laboratories

    24.

  4. 360 experts

    Current list.

Centerpiece, Eugène Rousseau (c. 1880)
Centerpiece, Eugène Rousseau (c. 1880)
Portrait of a Man, Gustave Caillebotte (1880)
Portrait of a Man, Gustave Caillebotte (1880)
Covered Hot Water Pot, Feodor Ivanovich Rückert (1887–96)
Covered Hot Water Pot, Feodor Ivanovich Rückert (1887–96)

Independence of the expert

Full diploma or module

Turtleback Reading Lamp, Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company (c. 1895–1902)

Diploma

12 months
  • Recognised qualification
  • Accreditation possible
  • Significant investment

For career progression.

Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne the Younger, Elisabeth Louise Vigée-LeBrun (1774)

Module

3 to 5 days
  • Targeted skill
  • Little availability
  • No title

To update skills.

Becoming an accredited expert

  1. Train

    Diploma.

  2. Practise

    Experience.

  3. Apply

    File.

  4. Be evaluated

    Jury.

  5. Being accredited

    5 years.

Qualities expected

A curator

Edge of the Woods Near L'Hermitage, Pontoise, Camille Pissarro (1879)
« The diploma gave me a method: document before concluding, doubt before asserting. »
Hugo Delmas, museum curator

Vocabulary of expertise

Attribution
Naming the author of a work.
Accreditation
Official recognition.
Preventive conservation
Measures preventing deterioration.
Dissertation
Research work.

Research and publications

Trainees and trainers publish work in the teaching library and in an online journal of the Academy. A prize rewards the best dissertation each year. Research projects may benefit from access to partner laboratories.

This research dynamic enriches OIMAP's certification and arbitration practices.

Frequently asked questions

Does the diploma give accreditation?

It leads to it.

Can one study part time?

For some modules.

Are there scholarships?

Yes.

Where to see authentication?

Useful documents

Contacts

Eighteen Views of Rome: The Piazza Farnese (recto); Cartouche (verso), Lievin Cruyl (1664)
Eighteen Views of Rome: The Piazza Farnese (recto); Cartouche (verso), Lievin Cruyl (1664)
OIMAP AcademyParis — Head Office+33 1 00 00 05 00formation@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

See authentication

Leaf from a Psalter and Prayerbook: Calendar Page with Labors (recto) (c. 1524)

Methods of attribution.

Authentication
Image credits (23)
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