Leon Levy Foundation Conservation Training 2026 for Heritage Professionals [Free; Boarding & Accommodation Provided]: Apply by Sep 15

The Leon Levy Foundation and Mehrangarh Museum Trust are inviting applications for the Documentation and Imaging Programme 2026–27.

The intensive residential programme is designed for professionals working in tangible cultural-heritage conservation in India. It covers preventive conservation, heritage documentation, photogrammetry, museum photography and multispectral imaging through lectures and practical training.

There is no programme fee, while boarding and accommodation will be provided to selected participants.

Deadline: September 15, 2026, at 5 PM IST

Click here to apply for the Documentation and Imaging Programme.

Leon Levy Foundation Documentation and Imaging Programme 2026: Highlights

Organisers: Leon Levy Foundation and Mehrangarh Museum Trust
Programme: Documentation and Imaging Programme 2026–27
Target group: Professionals working in tangible cultural-heritage conservation in India
Locations: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, and Ahhichatragarh Fort, Nagaur
Arrival date: November 12, 2026
Departure date: December 14, 2026
Programme fee: None
Boarding: Provided
Accommodation: Provided
Medium of instruction: English
Selection: Application screening followed by an online interview
Deadline: September 15, 2026, 5 PM IST
Application mode: Online

About the Programme

The Leon Levy Foundation and Mehrangarh Museum Trust have collaborated on heritage-conservation projects and professional training programmes for over a decade.

This residential programme aims to improve documentation and conservation practices for museum objects, paintings, historic architecture and other forms of tangible cultural heritage.

Training combines classroom instruction, demonstrations, practical exercises and work with heritage sites and museum collections.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is intended for professionals working in fields connected with tangible cultural heritage in India, including:

Art and object conservators
Museum professionals
Heritage architects
Architectural documentation professionals
Museum photographers
Collection-care professionals
Researchers working with art and heritage collections
Professionals involved in preventive conservation
Practitioners interested in technical and multispectral imaging

Preference will be given to candidates with basic proficiency in:

Computer software
Photography

Specific age, degree, nationality and minimum-experience requirements have not been stated in the information available.

Programme Modules

Handling and Preventive Care of Museum Objects

This module covers the safe handling, display and storage of museum objects. Participants will learn about:

Preventive conservation strategies
Hygiene and correct use of gloves
Tools for handling sensitive objects
Storage and display practices
Biodeterioration control
Material-specific care for textiles, paper and metals

Documentation and Survey of Paintings and Built Heritage

Participants will learn to document artefacts and architectural spaces using photogrammetry.

Topics include:

Survey planning
Image-capture strategies
Photogrammetry workflows
Creation of accurate 2D and 3D representations
Scale, resolution and accuracy
Condition assessment and long-term monitoring
Ethical documentation of cultural heritage

Museum Imaging

The museum-imaging component covers professional photography of museum objects for documentation, conservation, research and publication.

Participants will study:

Camera handling
Lighting techniques
Photographing reflective, fragile and detailed objects
Imaging paintings, metal objects and architectural interiors
Digital image processing
File organisation and long-term data management
Recording object condition before treatment or display

Multispectral Imaging

This module introduces non-invasive multispectral imaging for studying artworks and collections.

Participants will receive practical exposure to:

Image acquisition and processing
Different spectral ranges and imaging modes
Identifying pigments and underdrawings
Recording surface changes and earlier interventions
Using imaging results for technical study and preventive-care planning

Programme Faculty

Training will be led by experienced conservation and imaging professionals, including:

Girikumar S: Handling and preventive care of museum objects
Maniyarasan Rajendran: Documentation and survey of paintings and built heritage
Wendy Rose: Photogrammetric documentation of cultural heritage
Neil Greentree: Museum imaging
Sreekumar Menon: Multispectral imaging

Dr. Sunayana Rathore, curator of Mehrangarh Museum, serves as the programme coordinator.

Costs Covered

Selected participants will receive:

Free participation in the programme
Boarding during the programme
Accommodation during the programme
Access to specialist instruction and practical training
Hands-on exposure to museum collections and heritage sites

Travel expenses to and from the programme location have not been stated as covered. Applicants should confirm their responsibility for travel costs before accepting a place.

Selection Process

Candidates submit the online application form.
Applications are assessed competitively.
Shortlisted applicants are notified by September 21.
Shortlisted candidates attend an online Zoom interview between September 23 and 26.
Final results are announced by October 7.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the interview.

How to Apply?

Open the official application form.
Read the programme information and eligibility conditions.
Complete all required personal, academic and professional details.
Provide accurate information about your heritage-conservation experience.
Upload or submit any documents requested in the form.
Review the application carefully.
Submit by September 15 at 5 PM IST.

Important Dates

Application deadline: September 15, 2026, 5 PM IST
Shortlist notification: September 21, 2026
Online interviews: September 23–26, 2026
Final results: By October 7, 2026
Participant arrival: November 12, 2026
Participant departure: December 14, 2026

Important Conditions

The programme is residential and requires participants to remain available for its full duration.
Instruction will be conducted in English.
Selection is competitive.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.
Basic computer and photography proficiency will be preferred.
Boarding and accommodation are provided, but travel support is not specified.
Submitting an application does not guarantee selection.