Preserving Cultural Heritage in Western Sweden

SVK's mission is to protect and maintain cultural heritage through the conservation and restoration of objects, buildings, and environments. Conservation involves slowing down the degradation of materials through active intervention – such as removing corrosion – or by controlling the surrounding environment, like humidity levels. Restoration refers to actions that make objects functional again or improve their visual understanding, including replacing parts or retouching surfaces. Often, conservation and restoration are combined and adapted to meet the specific needs of each object.

Services Offered

SVK provides a wide range of services related to conservation and cultural preservation, including:

• Archaeological Conservation: Treatment of artifacts from excavations, including underwater archaeological finds.
• Glass, Ceramic & Porcelain Conservation: Repair and cleaning of objects made from materials such as glass, porcelain, ceramics, concrete or plaster.
• Metal Conservation: Care for metal objects like sculptures, candlesticks and liturgical vessels.
• Painting Conservation: Restoration of artworks, wall paintings and other painted items.
• Paper Conservation: Treatment of damaged or aging documents, books, maps and other paper-based objects.
• Stone Conservation: Conservation of stone sculptures, gravestones and architectural elements.
• Textile Conservation: Preservation and repair of textile items such as tapestries, banners and ecclesiastical fabrics.
• Wood and Furniture Conservation: Treatment of wooden artifacts and furniture, including condition assessments and action plans.
• Housekeeping: Measures to control humidity, pests and dust in cultural environments.
• Historic Buildings: Surveys, analysis, and care plans for historically significant properties.
• Courses and Training: Tailored training programs for collection managers, museum staff and curators.
• Ecclesiastical Heritage: Conservation of religious buildings, artifacts, and cemeteries.
• Museums and Exhibitions: Mounting, security, and climate control for display objects.
• Collection Management: Long-term planning and strategies for the care of collections.
• Technology and Analysis: Use of advanced tools for the examination and analysis of materials.

Internship Opportunities

SVK offers internships for university students specializing in conservation and restoration. These internships vary in length and provide students with the opportunity to work hands-on with a wide range of objects under professional supervision. Past interns have worked with materials including paper, paintings, archaeological items, textiles, metals, stone, ceramics, glass, wood, and furniture.

Both Swedish and international students are welcome, and SVK has hosted interns from countries such as Norway, Finland, France, the UK, Germany, the USA, and Japan. 

Apply for an internship here

SVK is open to scheduled visits Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. The facility is easily accessible by public transport, just six minutes from Gothenburg Central Station.