Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
Post graduate fellowship in Preventive Conservation and Specialty of Successful Applicant –Objects/Furniture or Textiles
The Winterthur Museum will host a one-year post-graduate fellowship to begin in September, 2015. The fellow will work in Winterthur’s innovative and internationally recognized preventive conservation program and on either a textile or lacquer conservation project, spending half their time in each area. Preventive conservation projects will include development of storage solutions for complex objects, assessment of a new light management system, outreach through a monthly conservation clinic and participation on the team that manages preventive conservation initiatives. The fellow will also be encouraged to pursue a research project related to his/her interests and other projects. A successful applicant with an objects/furniture specialty will participate in an ongoing IMLS funded treatment and research project on Chinese export lacquer and participate in an FAIC sponsored symposium on the topic. A successful applicant with a textile specialty will participate in the examination, treatment and analysis of an important needlework collection with an emphasis on those with original mounts and frames. Beyond these specific projects, the fellow will engage with other projects and conservators to enhance their professional growth.
The fellowship is structured to provide emerging conservators with the broad skills and hands-on experience needed for a successful career in conservation. In addition to work in preventive conservation and their specialty, the Fellow is strongly encouraged to interact with curators, Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC) students, faculty, and guest speakers by attending lectures and selected classes that support their professional growth. The Fellow will have full access to Winterthur’s Scientific Research and Analysis Laboratory as well as the Winterthur and University of Delaware Libraries and will assist in teaching a selected topic in the WUDPAC program. They will also participate in outreach programs as appropriate including conservation tours for special interest groups and the public, educational programing for school age children that uses conservation to make the art-science connection, and posts on the Winterthur’s website.
The Winterthur Museum collections encompass a wide selection of fine and decorative arts made or used in America from the 17th through the mid-19th centuries exhibited in period rooms, galleries and changing exhibits. Library special collections extend from the mid-16th through mid-20th centuries and document American material culture through craftsmen’s records, technical manuals, trade catalogs, periodicals, design sources and literature on art, architecture, travel and domestic economy. The current material includes a significant collection of conservation literature.
The stipend amount is $27,000 per year plus benefits and $2,000 for travel and research.
Eligibility: Completion of a masters-level degree in conservation from a US or Canadian university program within the last 3 years or a US or Canadian citizen who has completed a masters-level program abroad within the last 3 years. The successful candidate will exhibit a thorough understanding of preventive conservation concepts and a strong interest in applying them in a complex institutional setting. They will also exhibit foundation knowledge of conservation techniques and object fabrication technology and be able to apply this knowledge to the care, treatment and assessment of collection objects in their specialty.
Application: A complete application includes curriculum vitae and a letter summarizing the applicant’s interests and intent in this fellowship, a transcript of graduate studies and a list of any other relevant course work, three sample reports (preventive conservation assessments, research projects or condition and treatment documentation) and three letters of recommendation. All materials must be submitted in English. Deadline for receipt of application: April 30, 2015. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter and resume to Human Resources, Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, Winterthur, DE 19735 or email jobs@winterthur.org. EOE
This Fellowship is supported by a grant from the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation, funded by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation