Call for Papers for the 7th Volume of Preservation Education & Research

Deadline for submission: February 15, 2014
The editors of Preservation Education & Research (PER) invite article manuscripts and Forum essays for the seventh (2014) volume of the journal.
PER disseminates peer-reviewed scholarship relevant to historic environment education from fields such as historic preservation, heritage conservation, heritage studies, building and landscape conservation, urban conservation, and cultural patrimony. The National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE) launched PER in 2007 as part of its mission to exchange and disseminate information and ideas concerning historic environment education, current developments and innovations in conservation, and the improvement of historic environment education programs and endeavors in the United States and abroad.
Examples of previously published articles include:

  • “Landscape Preservation Education in the United States”
  • “Industrial Archaeology and Brazilian Industrial Heritage”
  • “Current Trends in Historic Preservation Education at the Primary and Secondary School Levels”
  • “Meiji Restorations: Defining Preservation, Education, and Architecture for Modern Japan”
  • “‘So, Can You Revit?’ Historic Preservation Design Education and Digital Media”
  • “The Status of Professional Career Openings in Historic Preservation in the United States”
  • “The Value of a Preservation Field School Learning Experience”
  • “Reflections on Eight Semesters of Employing Service Learning in an Undergraduate Historic Preservation Course”
  • “Preservation Engineering: Framing a New Curriculum”
  • “Domesticating the ‘National Optic’ after the Third Reich: Preservation and Morale Building in Postwar West Germany”
  • “Learning Among Friends: Using Heritage-Based Educational Practices to Improve Preservation Law Pedagogy”

We also encourage readers with an interest and expertise in the topics covered in previous PER volumes to consider writing a PER Forum essay. The PER Forum contains short essays (800-1000 words) that respond to or critique reports or articles in previous volumes of the journal and encourage a constructive and scholarly dialogue. The deadline for PER Forum contributions is May 1, 2014.
All manuscripts and Forum essays should be submitted by email as an MS Word or PDF attachment to the co-editors of PER: Jeremy Wells (jwells [at] rwu.edu) and Rebecca Sheppard (rjshep [at] udel.edu). Refer to the journal’s publication guidelines at www.ncpe.us/publications/manuscript-submission-guidelines for more information. All manuscripts are peer reviewed in a double-blind process while Forum essays may be subject to peer review on a case-by-case basis. Manuscripts are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, but submission by February 15, 2014 will help assure that accepted manuscripts are published in the next annual volume of PER.
PER is currently indexed in the Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals and the EBSCO database; the full-text of articles is available from EBSCO and the NCPE web site (www.ncpe.us/publications). For more information about NCPE and PER, visit www.ncpe.us.
-Jeremy Wells, Roger Williams University
Co-editor, PER
jwells [at] rwu.edu

Archivist, Jane Kessler Memorial Archives, Penland School of Crafts

Position Summary
The Jane Kessler Memorial Archives collects and manages inactive records of enduring value that relate to the history of Penland School of Crafts. The records document the evolution of the institution, its programs and activities as well as key contributions of artists, trustees and personnel who have shaped the institution. Carefully selected artifacts directly related to the school’s programs are also collected. Housed within the archives are photographs, correspondence, account books, trustee minutes, news clippings, publications, oral histories, architectural drawings, objects and ephemera representing Penland School of Crafts’ history from its inception in the 1920s to the present.
The archivist is responsible for the evolution, oversight and management of the Jane Kessler Memorial Archives.  The position is part-time, 24 hours/week, year-round, non-benefits eligible and reports to the Executive Director.
Information in the archives to date tells the early history of the Appalachian School, the founding of the Penland Weavers and Potters in 1923, the events leading up to the 1938 incorporation of the Penland School of Handicrafts (as it was then called), and the accomplishments of the school under the leadership of its directors Lucy Morgan, Bill Brown, Verne Stanford, Hunter Kariher, Ken Botnick and Jean McLaughlin.
Responsibilities
Policies and Procedures

  • Works within Penland’s approval processes to establish and update collections policies using best practices of the Society of American Archivists.
  • Works within the parameters of the school’s collections policies to develop and manage the collections.
  • Creates and maintains an emergency preparedness and recovery plan for the archives.
  • Creates and manages an archives access and use plan, duplication and photography request forms, and a publications permission policy.
  • Develops a retention and destruction policy for the school’s social media platforms in coordination with the communications manager; integrates the archives policy with the school’s overall retention and destruction policy.
  • Develops procedures for transfer and storage of historically significant electronic records; works with the IT manager and deputy director to insure smooth systems access and involvement of key staff.
  • Follows the board-approved gift acceptance policy; brings it to appropriate board committees for periodic review.
  • Keeps the staff and trustees informed of policies and procedures.
  • Communicates the policies and procedures to interested parties as needed.

Accession and record management

  • Handles requests and processes the acquisition of materials to the archives through gifts from individuals, transfers from Penland offices, or purchase.
  • Manages the records/personal papers of key institutional leaders (executive directors, trustee chairs, program directors, long-time affiliated artists, etc.)
  • Identifies out-of-scope materials and handles the de-accessioning of material as needed; thoroughly documenting the process and following all established procedures.
  • Catalogues all materials accepted into the archives; arranges, describes, and stores all materials.
  • Keeps the staff and trustees informed of acquisitions.

Reference

  • Serves as the point of reference as appropriate for questions or needs from the staff, students, instructors, and the general public.
  • Provides reference checks for presentations and published works related to the school’s history.
  • Assists with historical information in support of grant writing and fundraising as requested.

Promotion of school history

  • Serves as school historian when questions arise related to the school’s history.
  • Promotes the history of Penland through archives open houses, exhibits, presentations, and written materials.
  • Works with the Penland communications office to provide a portal to Penland’s history and collections through the website.
  • Represents the institution at professional meetings.

Budgeting/Ordering/Accounting

  • Proposes annual operating and capital budgets for the archives.
  • Follows established procedures for requesting purchase authorizations, placing orders for materials, supplies, equipment for the archives and for submitting invoices and bills as soon as possible. Insures that all orders are placed, received, and accounted for properly.
  • Monitors the archives budget throughout the year.
  • Works with the Executive Director when adjustments to the budget are necessary.

Other Duties as Assigned
Qualifications

  • MA in archival administration or library science with a concentration in archival management is preferred.BA in history, American studies, or related field, with specific training and experience in archival administration is required.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills, the ability to manage a varied workload, a high level of concentration and attention to detail, good people skills, and the ability to plan and manage a budget.
  • Must work well independently as well as part of a team.
  • Knowledge of computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheet and database management, and electronic cataloging.
  • Basic knowledge in the care and storage of two and three dimensional objects.
  • Knowledge and experience in the digital conversion of legacy photographic processes is a plus.

Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and to work at a computer. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or touch objects, tools or controls and to talk fluently and to hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, to walk, and to bend. The employee must regularly lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more. Specific vision required by this job includes close vision.

Compensation

Annual compensation is discussed during the interview process. The part-time position is non-exempt and eligible for vacation, holiday and sick time benefits.
To Apply
The position will remain open until filled, however the initial review of applications will consist of applications received by March 1, 2014. Send resume and cover letter addressing relevant experience and interest in the position and contact information for at least 3 references to Sally Loftis, Human Resources Manager, Penland School of Crafts, PO Box 37, Penland, NC 28765 or sallyloftis@penland.org.
Penland School of Crafts is a national center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 15 teaching studios and 57 historic and contemporary buildings. Penland School of Crafts is an equal opportunity employer with a staff of 65. Penland operates with a $15 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $5.5 million. Penland School of Crafts is an equal opportunity employer.
 

Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in Paper Conservation, The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is offering an advanced training fellowship in paper conservation beginning in the fall of 2014. The Fellowship will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second and third year.
The Fellow will be involved in a wide range of conservation activities including examination and treatment of works on paper scheduled for loan, acquisition and exhibition. The diversity of the Print and Drawing collections ranging from the 15th through 21st century provide a rich resource for conservation education. The Fellow will also participate in all daily activities of the conservation department including environmental monitoring, condition checks for incoming and outgoing objects and preventative maintenance of the collection. The successful candidate will be encouraged to focus on a research project that should culminate in a published paper or professional presentation.
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in art conservation and at least one year of practical experience beyond graduation, or equivalent experience. The Fellow will receive an annual salary with an additional allowance for travel and research, plus benefits including health, dental and vacation leave.
For consideration, please go to <https://hrweb.artic.edu/recruit/applyjob.html> Job ID: 8000, and submit a cover letter summarizing your interest, resume and three professional references. Please combine the cover letter, resume and references into one document. Upload this file within the online application.
 

Full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor in Conservation Science at the University of Delaware

The Department of Art Conservation at the University of Delaware invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor in conservation science. In addition to pursuing an ambitious research agenda, the appointee will be expected to enhance the department’s course offerings in instrumental analysis and general science teaching and play an active role in advising undergraduate and graduate students on scientific research projects. The successful candidate will join a department of five full-time UD faculty members with extensive records of scholarship and public outreach in addition to 15 teaching conservators and scientists at Winterthur Museum. This position is crucial to advancing the Department’s and College’s long-term commitment to excellence for education and training of undergraduates, Master’s-level, and doctoral students in conservation and preservation.
Founded in 1743, the University of Delaware is one of the nation’s oldest institutions of higher education and combines tradition and innovation. Our long-standing partnership with the Winterthur Museum allows for unparalleled opportunities for our faculty and students.  Also, the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture and the University of Delaware’s Center for Material Culture Studies and Department of Art History similarly enhance the opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching and research.
The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, materials engineering, or a closely allied discipline. Candidates with a Ph.D. degree in either analytical chemistry or organic chemistry would be especially welcomed, and the successful candidate should ideally possess experience conducting scientific study of cultural materials, teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, and a demonstrated record of scholarship and publication. Candidates with experience conducting chromatographic studies of cultural materials will be given the strongest consideration, with particular emphasis on the LC and GC methods applied to the study of works of art. Experience teaching theory and applications of chromatography is also highly desired. Other aspects important for consideration include experience teaching science to non-majors and any pre- or postdoctoral experiences related to cultural heritage analysis. Specific consideration will be given to applications where the organic chemistry of ancient, historic or modern material culture has been probed in the candidate’s research. Familiarity with immunoassay methods for identifying organic components of museum collections and MS techniques applied to these same problems including DART, MALDI, or DESI is also desirable.
Please visit our website at www.udel.edu and the Art Conservation department website at http://www.artcons.udel.edu/. The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from minority group members and women.
The appointment will begin on September 1, 2014. The Ph.D. is required. Applicants should visit www.udel.edu/udjobs and read “Applicant Instructions” under the “Resources for Applicants” tab before submitting their applications. Applicants are asked to create and upload a single document that includes a cover letter and a c.v.  Please also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent via e-mail or regular mail to Dr. Joyce Hill Stoner and Dr. Jennifer Mass, Search Committee co-chairs, Winterthur/University of Delaware, c/o Winterthur Museum, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735 (jhstoner@udel.edu and jmass@winterthur.org ). Review of applications will begin upon receipt, with a deadline of February 10, 2014 (will probably be extended at least two weeks).

Is it a good idea to base conservation decisions on a popularity contest?

A January 21, 2014 National Public Radio “All Things Considered” piece focused on the “L’Arte Aiuta l’Arte” (“Art Helping Art”) program of the Italian Cultural Ministry in which the proceeds from  ticket sales for performances taking place at state museums and monuments are dedicated to the restoration of Italy’s visual arts heritage. The public relations gimmick—people can vote on Facebook for the one of eight works selected by the government  which they feel is most deserving of restoration. The money raised from the performances will be used for the conservation of the contest winner. While this program may well make Italians more aware of their cultural heritage and inspire concern for its impending loss, does it not have the potential to turn cultural heritage into a popularity contest a la “American Idol” or  to induce general feelings of despair  as for every work that receives treatment there are seven works of equal importance that will not?

Call for Papers: ASOR 2014

CALL FOR PAPERS
“Conservation and Site Preservation in the Near East”
American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) Annual Meeting
San Diego, CA, Westin Hotel, November 19-22, 2014
This session will be co-chaired by Suzanne Davis davissl@umich.edu and LeeAnn Barnes Gordon leeannbarnes@gmail.com. Please feel free to contact them to discuss possible paper proposals or to request further details regarding the session.
The goal of the session is to create a forum where archaeologists and conservators can share research, exchange ideas, and discuss issues impacting the conservation of Near Eastern artifacts and sites. Contributors’ presentations will examine regional and national trends in conservation as well as site-specific programs. Presenters will also consider how political instability and the need for economic development are impacting the preservation of archaeological heritage in the Near East. Generous discussion time will engage the contributors and the audience, creating a dialogue that will ultimately improve conservation of artifacts and sites in the Near East.
This session will be the third of four in a series on conservation at the ASOR annual meeting. To read AIC blog posts about previous sessions, follow these links: 2012 in Chicago, IL: http://bit.ly/1f0H2iL and 2013 in Baltimore, MD: http://bit.ly/1mmiAgU.  The ASOR annual meeting also features sessions on cultural heritage management, ethics and policy, and museum collections, in addition to sessions focused on archaeology and site preservation in specific geographical regions. The full list of sessions for 2014 can be found here: http://www.asor.org/am/index.html
Interested speakers should submit a talk title and abstract (max. 250 words) by February 15th via ASOR’s online abstract submission system, a link to which can be found here http://www.asor.org/am/2014/call-2.html. Membership in ASOR is required for submission. 

JAIC is Journal of the Month, visit now!

JAIC
The Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, or JAIC, has been selected by Maney Publication as its “Journal of the Month” for January 2014. This showcase position is used to give all Maney’s readers an in-depth preview of the organization and its journal, and also offers 3 years’ worth of content available free to all for the duration of the month. The page is now available at www.maneyonline.com/page/jotm/jac.
The featured link on Maney’s new publishing platform clicks through to the JotM page containing information about AIC and JAIC, including:

  • Commentaries on the conservation of textilesarchaeological artifacts, electronic media as well as sustainability and a review of the archive
  • Video interviews with Michele Derrick (Editor-in-Chief) and Pamela Hatchfield (President of the Board of Directors, AIC)
  • ‘Best of the archive’: 10 articles hand-picked by the Editor are free to download
  • 20% discount on institutional subscriptions

This is a great opportunity to share the Journal with your colleagues, show your friends and family a little more about what you do, promote the benefits of AIC membership to nonmembers, and encourage your library or institution to subscribe. Remember, all of this content is only available until February 15th, so make the most of it while you can! And please spread the word to friends and colleagues who may be interested.

Reminder: Registration is now open for Aluminum: History, Technology and Conservation!

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Conference and workshop: April 7-11, 2014 in Washington DC.

Conference: April 7-9, 2014, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC. To register: www.conservation-us.org/aluminum
Workshop: April 10-11, 2014, Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Virginia. To register: www.conservation-us.org/aluminum-workshop
The conference will bring together international specialists to facilitate the exchange and dissemination of knowledge, experiences, and expertise in the deterioration and conservation of aluminum alloys. The workshop will focus on the identification of aluminum alloys and finishes as a professional development opportunity for conservation professionals.
The conference and workshop have a compelling line-up of featured speakers, and we are pleased to announce the keynote speakers.
Lyndsie Selwyn will deliver the opening address on the history, fabrication and use of aluminum. Lyndsie is Senior Conservation Scientist at the Canadian Conservation Institute in Ottawa, Canada.
Ian MacLeod will present on the corrosion and deterioration of aluminum and clarify different alloys and their corrosion problems in diverse environments. Ian is the Executive Director of Fremantle Museum and Maritime Heritage at the Western Australian Museum in Australia.
François Mirambet will present on materials characterization and identification of aluminum alloys and their corrosion products. François is a Research Engineer for the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France in Paris, France.
Christian Degrigny will present on the conservation of archaeological aluminum, including the stabilization of marine aluminum, as well as terrestrial and industrial artifacts. Christian is Senior Conservation Scientist and Lecturer at the Haute Ecole Arc de Conservation-restauration in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Rosa Lowinger will present on the conservation and use of aluminum alloys in contemporary art, with a particular emphasis on sculpture. Rosa is Principal and Senior Conservator of Rosa Lowinger and Associates in Florida, U.S.A.
Richard Pieper will present on aluminum in architecture, with an emphasis on the challenges of this material for the architectural conservator. Richard is the Director of Preservation at Jan Hird Pokorny Associates in New York City, U.S.A.
Bruce Hinton will present on corrosion inhibition, surface treatments and coating systems, particularly the latest developments in corrosion mitigation through development of innovative and environmentally friendly inhibitors and modern coating systems. Bruce is Adjunct Professor of Corrosion Science at Monash University in Victoria, Australia.
David Hallam will present on preventive conservation and the maintenance of aluminum artifacts and collections. David is Coordinator for the ICOM-CC Metal Working Group and a metallic heritage consultant in Tasmania, Australia.
For further information, email aluminum2014@gmail.com
You can download this announcement here
Organizing Committee: Claudia Chemello, Malcolm Collum, Paul Mardikian, Joe Sembrat, Lisa Young.
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Why would anyone be surprised that all of the conservators in a lab are women?

The January 2, 2014 issue of The Wall Street Journal contains a short article by Stuart Isacoff about the Laboratorio di restauro dei fortepiano of the Accademia Bartolomeo Cristofori , entitled “Where the Craftsmen Are Women”.  In it, Isacoff expresses surprise that all of the restorers in that lab are women. Perhaps in Italy or perhaps in the sub-specialty of musical instrument conservation men still predominate, but in the U.S. today conservation has become for better or worse a female profession.

Shouldn't museum conservators be paid like museum fund raisers?

I recently received a fund raising pitch from the Museum of Modern Art which offered me a chance to win lunch and a look behind the scenes of the museum — a visit to the storage rooms full of extraordinary works, a state-of-the art conservation lab where artworks are treated, and the imaging studio where artworks are photographed–  if I donated at least $25 before the end of 2013.  It made me wonder why, if at least this museum views its conservation department as  valuable for fundraising, aren’t museum conservators paid at anywhere near the same level as fundraisers.