FRAME: Symposium 3 — Concept, History and Conservation

16–18 February 2026 | The Hedberg, Hobart

FRAME: Symposium 3 brings together an international cohort of curators, conservators, frame historians, researchers and makers to explore the artistic, historical and technical significance of picture frames. Held over three days at the Hedberg in Hobart, the symposium presents keynote lectures, panel discussions, research presentations, conservation case studies, and visits to local collections.

This year’s program investigates the evolution of frame design, conservation ethics, innovative treatment approaches, and the vital role frames play in contextualising and preserving works of art. Delegates will hear from leading experts from the Musée du Louvre (Paris), the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Harvard Art Museums (Cambridge, USA), the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne), and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney).

Topics span frame originality and integrity, artists’ frames, glazing and materials, documentation and archives, loss compensation, conservation technologies, and future pathways for the field. Site visits to the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery provide opportunities for close engagement with local collections.