Jobs, Internships & Fellowships Digest: August 4, 2017

  1. Time-Based Media Conservation Fellow, The Art Institute of Chicago
  2. Conservation Officer (Planning Policy), Cheltenham Council
  3. Assistant Conservation Officer (2 Positions), Warwick District Council
  4. Conservator of Works of Art on Paper, Philadelphia Museum of Art
  5. Senior Conservator of Paper, The Balboa Art Conservation Center
  6. Professional Fellow: Managing Collection Environments Initiative, The Getty Conservation Institute
  7. Collections Assistant, Baylor University
  8. Assistant Conservator, Los Angeles County Museum of Art
  9. Objects Conservator, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

1. TIME-BASED MEDIA CONSERVATION FELLOW, The Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL, USA)

For the first time at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Conservation and Science Department is pleased to offer a two-year fellowship (may be renewable for an additional year) for a dedicated time-based media conservation fellow.

An encyclopedic museum committed to the art of all time, the Art Institute has long made a practice of collecting, exhibiting, and preserving film, video, and time-based media art, with acquisitions in this area going back five decades and spanning three main curatorial departments (Architecture and Design, Modern and Contemporary Art, and Photography). The museum has a dedicated gallery, the Donna and Howard Stone Film, Video, and New Media Gallery in the Modern Wing, and more than fifty moving image installations have been presented to the public in recent years throughout the museum.

The full-time time-based media (TBM) conservation fellow will have the opportunity to assist in setting up conservation strategies, workflows, and procedures for the preservation and documentation of the museum collection.

The fellow will work as part of a cross-departmental team under the leadership of the Grainger Executive Director of Conservation and Science and the Deputy Director and Chair and Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. External consultants will also be brought in as needed for additional mentorship.

Specifically, the fellow will:

  • Assist with the development and implementation of institutional policies and best practices for preservation of TBM works with the goal of achieving a sustainable cross-departmental approach to managing, storing, accessing, and preserving them.
  • Engage the expertise and coordinate the activities of various constituents both inside and outside the museum, including conservation, registration, curatorial, information technology, and others, with the goal of preserving TBM works.
  • Establish and execute acquisition protocols and collection management workflows for TBM works across departments.
  • Perform technical examination and document TBM works, including film, video, multimedia software, html interactives, and any digital formats that may emerge.
  • Assist with collection care activities, such as proper documentation for new acquisitions and installation, collecting information from artists and other authorities on TBM works, and cataloging equipment to develop plans for their maintenance, replacement, stockpiling, and updating.
  • Develop individualized preservation plans for TBM works.
  • Employ digital preservation methods, including migration, encapsulation, emulation, software archiving, and hardware archiving.
  • Review digital files and enter files into the museum’s digital asset management system.

The incumbent will be encouraged to share findings with colleagues pursuing similar endeavors in Chicago, the Midwest, and the broader conservation field. The fellow will also assist with efforts to secure additional funding to establish a Time-Based Media Conservation Lab Initiative.

While the fellow’s home department will be Conservation and Science, fellowship activities will be performed in collaboration with many departments at the museum, including curatorial departments (Modern and Contemporary Art, Architecture and Design, and Photography), Exhibitions, Registration, Information Services, Digital Experience, and Academic Engagement and Research.

Qualifications:

  • A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in time-based media, fine arts conservation, or a related discipline, such as audiovisual archiving and preservation, computer science, film/television production, or information science.
  • Some experience working with TBM collections required; as well as knowledge of the best practices for condition assessment, documentation, installation, and preservation of TBM works in a range of analog and digital formats. The incumbent must be familiar with the AIC code of ethics and standards of practice, and possess good IT skills, including experience with digital asset management systems.
  • Given the diffuse nature of preserving time-based media art, excellent project management, problem-solving, and communication skills are required.

Candidates should submit their resume, two letters of recommendations, and a cover letter detailing the candidate’s interest in applying for the fellowship and what skill set the candidate would bring to the position, along with a portfolio with two or three examples of projects (please attach all as one document). Apply here: www.artic.edu/employment.

Fellowship start date: September 18, 2017, or at earliest convenience.

For inquiries about the position, please contact Francesca Casadio, A.W. Mellon Sr. Conservation Scientist, fcasadio@artic.edu.

This is a temporary special projects position.

2. CONSERVATION OFFICER (PLANNING POLICY), Cheltenham Council (Cheltenham, UK)

  • Application closing date: August 20, 2017
  • Interview date:  TBC
  • Minicom: 01242 264264
  • Fixed term for 1.5 years
  • Salary: Grade F (£23,398 – £25,591 pa)

Cheltenham has a wide range of heritage assets ranging from formal Regency terraces to an interwar garden suburb. It has 2,600 listed buildings and seven conservation areas, one of which is the largest conservation area in Europe at just over 600 hectares. It is an exciting place for heritage professionals.

We are looking for a conservation officer to fill a vacancy in a small but busy team to help with the re-appraise of the town’s conservation areas and development of conservation policy.

The town is currently a thriving place to work, with a number of urban growth proposals, emerging local and strategic plans and a significant town center transport and public realm project.

You will be based right in the heart of the conservation area on in a Grade II* Regency Terrace located on Cheltenham’s Promenade, with its bustling retail offer and open spaces.

You will be skilled and self-motivated, ideally with experience in offering advice to the community, planners and the council generally on conservation area, listed building and related planning work.

You will be keen, knowledgeable and able to fit easily into the team. If you think you can help, we are interested to hear from you.

For an informal discussion call Philip Stephenson on +44 01242 264379.

To apply download the application form and job description and person specification. Please email completed applications to jobs@cheltenham.gov.uk and please quote reference PED006 after the post title.

We are working towards equal opportunities

 3. ASSISTANT CONSERVATION OFFICER (2 POSITIONS), Warwick District Council (Warwick, UK)

  • Closing Date: August 28, 2017
  • £21,268 – £23,398 per annum
  • 37 hours per week

Warwick District Council is looking for two enthusiastic and self-motivated team players, committed to heritage protection, good design, and excellent customer service.

With over 30 conservation areas, around 2000 listed buildings, and national treasures such as Warwick Castle, Kenilworth Castle, and Stoneleigh Abbey, we can provide you with a unique opportunity to work in an exciting heritage environment.

a) Assistant Conservation Officer – Permanent Post: The successful candidate will provide advice and guidance on heritage matters to a wide range of customers, advise on applications, compile a local list of historic buildings, and co-ordinate the annual Heritage Open Days event.

b) Assistant Conservation Officer – 12 Month-Fixed Term Contract: Project Manager for a New Canal Conservation Area: the successful candidate will manage a major conservation project to establish a new canal conservation area. This will require the assessment of the district’s canal network and its setting, the identification of potential development sites, public consultation and production of a management plan.

For both positions, you will need to have some knowledge of historic building and conservation area principles, practice and law, along with work experience in protecting the historic built environment.

For further information about either post, please contact Nick Corbett, Principal Conservation and Design Officer, on +44 01926 456545.

To apply for this vacancy please complete all sections of the application form located at the bottom of the job vacancies page and return your completed application to vacancies@warwickdc.gov.uk.

Job application form and guidance notes:

4. CONSERVATOR OF WORKS OF ART ON PAPER, Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, PA, USA)

  • Application Deadline: August 31, 2017

As a member of the Paper Conservation Department of the Museum’s Conservation Division, the Conservator reports to the Senior Conservator of Works of Art on Paper and shares responsibility for conservation of a major and growing collection of works on paper spanning many cultures and curatorial departments. Candidates must possess outstanding visual and manual aptitudes, strong written and oral communication skills, a sound art-historical and technical knowledge of art on paper, and demonstrated ability to deal with the complexities and dynamic pace of a large cultural institution.

Specifically, you will:

  • Examine, perform technical and historical study, document, and treat works of art on paper in the collection
  • Assess the condition of works requested for loan or being considered for acquisition, and document the condition of incoming or
  • outgoing loans
  • Advise on installations, storage, handling, packing, and transport of works on paper
  • Work with conservation scientists in chemical and instrumental analysis and characterization of materials and construction of works
  • of art
  • Supervise and instruct conservation junior staff, post-graduate fellows, interns, and technicians
  • Promote awareness of the role and work of the museum’s Conservation Division, in part through developing content for public
  • outreach

Your diverse background includes:

  • Academic credentials from a recognized conservation training program and five or more years of experience beyond the degree in the
  • study, care, and treatment of works on paper
  • Significant museum experience in the typical range of conservation activities involved in optimal preservation and presentation of
  • a large and varied collection
  • Involvement in the support of active loan and exhibition programs
  • Experience working cooperatively with staff at large to meet departmental and institutional goals

Apply at: www.philamuseum.org/jobs/.

5. SENIOR CONSERVATOR OF PAPER, The Balboa Art Conservation Center (San Diego, CA, USA)

  • Applications deadline: September 25, 2017

The Balboa Art Conservation Center (BACC) seeks a senior conservator to head the Center’s paper conservation department. In addition, the department is staffed by an Assistant Conservator of Paper, is supported by BACC administrative staff, and shares a conservation technician with the Paintings Conservation Department.

BACC is an active, nonprofit, regional conservation center located in the heart of the beautiful and historic Balboa Park in San Diego, California. The Park is home to a campus of cultural institutions such as the San Diego Museum of Art, Timken Museum of Art, and San Diego History Center. Since its founding in 1975, BACC has been devoted to the preservation of material culture held in both public and private collections. The Center’s services cover a wide spectrum including the formulation and implementation of treatments for paintings, frames, and paper artifacts, technical examinations using microscopy, infrared reflectography, and x-radiography, preventive conservation assistance, and environmental, general, and collection specific surveys. Types of paper artifacts treated by BACC reflect the broad range of collections served and are of all periods and constructed with a broad array of materials.  As the Center offers internships and fellowships on a regular basis, the working environment emphasizes an atmosphere of learning, collegiality, and cooperation.

The ideal candidate will have an excellent background in paper conservation with a minimum of 7 years of post-graduate experience. They will have highly developed practical skills with ability to accurately assess deterioration and damage, formulate appropriate treatment protocols, and undertake treatments not only independently but as a team leader.  Other characteristics of the ideal candidate are that they are collaboratively-minded, conservation treatment-oriented, and prepared to be an integral part of the Center’s conservation staff.

Innovative thinking is required for challenging projects as are good analytical and problem solving capabilities. Strong attention to detail while working to project deadlines and sound project management experience are essential strengths sought. As the Senior Conservator will head the paper conservation department, they must have solid experience managing workflow, overseeing conservation treatments, managing and supervising staff, and supervising fellows or interns.

Position requirements include a Master’s Degree from an accredited conservation program or its equivalent in paper conservation, excellent writing ability, and good communication and interpersonal skills. Compensation is commensurate with experience while benefits are excellent and comprehensive. Interested applicants should apply in writing with a letter of interest, resume, three letters of professional reference, and three examples of treatment experience.

Please submit applications by Monday, September 25, 2017 to: Janet Ruggles, Executive Director, Balboa Art Conservation Center, PO Box 3755, San Diego, CA 92163.

Digital applications should be submitted to info@bacc.org with the title “Senior Conservator of Paper Application.”

6. PROFESSIONAL FELLOW: MANAGING COLLECTION ENVIRONMENTS INITIATIVE, The Getty Conservation Institute (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

  • Application deadline: September 29, 2017

The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) Professional Fellowship is a three-year program designed to provide in-depth opportunities for practitioners to build and strengthen their skills and experience as conservation professionals, while working under the guidance of experienced GCI staff. For additional information about the GCI: www.getty.edu/conservation/index.html.

The GCI Professional Fellow for the Managing Collection Environments Initiative (MCE) will work closely with both the MCE project team of conservators and scientists as well as external consultants and partners who include architects, engineers, conservators, scientists and other museum personnel. MCE is a collaboration of the Collections and Science departments and currently organized around two core areas of work: scientific research that aims for a better understanding of the response of hygroscopic materials to climatic fluctuations at both the micro and macro scale, and a program of educational activities for conservators and related professionals. In the next year, the initiative will also be embarking on a number of field activities that will allow the testing of new research and/or practical methodologies in museum settings.

While the fellow will be assigned to the Collections department and will be engaged primarily in education and field activities, he/she will be exposed to all areas of initiative’s work and may participate in aspects of research. The fellow will also join with other members of the team in producing and disseminating articles and didactic resources that present MCE’s work to the profession. For additional

Information about MCE: www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/education/managing/index.html.

Major Job Responsibilities: The fellow will assist the MCE project manager in a variety of activities including: design and implementation of field activities, courses and short workshops. This will require carrying out background research pertaining to a particular issue or venue, assisting in planning activities, applying expertise in carrying out conservation projects in the field, and writing internal reports and other documents related to the projects.

The fellow will have the opportunity to serve as co-author on MCE-related articles and conference presentations. Professional development will be encouraged and assisted through participation in professional meetings, conferences or workshops.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a graduate degree in conservation, and 3–5 years of work experience relating to the conservation of museum collections. Candidate should have a strong interest and experience in preventive conservation and managing museum environments.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate technical knowledge and past experience working in the area of preventive conservation in museums, historic houses, or related cultural organizations. Candidate should be familiar with current research and issues relating to the management of collection environments and should have some knowledge of the concepts of risk assessment and management. Candidate must be familiar with sound conservation methodology in general and with ethical practice.

Good interpersonal and verbal skills and the ability to work in small interdisciplinary groups are required. Excellent writing skills and the ability to contribute to and to write reports and papers for both professional and more general audiences are needed. Good organizational and time management skills are required. Must be available for international and national travel; some trips may be of several weeks’ duration. Fluency in English is required and an additional language, particularly Spanish, is preferred.

The fellowship is for a three-year period that begins from the starting date. An excellent benefits package and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be provided.

All interested applicants must apply for this job online (when prompted, select “Create with Resume” or “Create with Online Form”) and upload the following documents in one PDF file (when prompted to “Upload Resume”/”Submit Resume”).

Required Documents:

  • Statement of Interest: Each application must include a statement of interest (not to exceed two pages, typed and double-spaced).
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Writing Sample: Each applicant must submit one writing sample of not more than 15 pages.
  • Confirmation Letter: Applicants must submit confirmation from their academic institution that their graduate degrees have been awarded (please do not send by mail).

To apply, please visit: https://jobs-getty.icims.com/jobs/2882/gci-professional-fellow%2c-managing-collection-environments-initiative/job. Completed application materials must be received on or before September 29, 2017.

If you have specific questions about the GCI Professional Fellowship, please email gcistaffing@getty.edu.

7. COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT, Baylor University (Waco, TX, USA)

Baylor University is seeking a Collections Assistant with deep appreciation for art and its cultural & educational value. This position is responsible for assisting the assisting the Collection Manager with conducting inventories of the collection, arranging and organizing collection items to facilitate care and management, and input collection data to keep computerized records up-to-date.

The successful candidate for this position will:

  • Possess a love for artwork and thrives in a quiet work environment
  • Experience working with cultural and natural history collections
  • A strong interested & understanding of natural science
  • Possess good computer and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Is detail oriented and strives for accuracy in their work
  • Have excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Have an interest in and understanding of cultural history as well as natural science

Qualifications: A Bachelor’s Degree, one year of relevant work experience, and a Christian faith are required.  A Bachelor’s Degree and two years of direct work experience are preferred.  Prior art museum experience is desirable.

Working at Baylor is so much more than simply having a job!  As part of the Baylor family, employees not only receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical and dental insurance, generous time off, and fantastic automatic retirement contributions*, they also get to experience Baylor.

  • Experience the culture of working for an institution consistently ranked as a “Great College to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Experience a mission driven organization based on a strong Christian commitment (edu/about)
  • Experience Baylor academics with outstanding tuition remission for staff and qualified dependents*
  • Experience our beautiful campus with access to libraries, museums, and recreational facilities such as our fitness center, athletic courts, an indoor swimming pool, and the Baylor marina to name a few
  • Experience our great dining facilities and enjoy an employee discount
  • Experience Baylor athletics with reduced admission or free access to athletic events
  • Experience Baylor through many more wonderful events and programs that take place on campus each year

*For more details and eligibility requirements, please visit www.baylor.edu/hr.

To apply view the full position description: Collections Assistant. Please submit an on-line application at https://jobs.baylor.edu along with a cover letter and resume.

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, consistently listed with highest honors among The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For.” Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas. The university provides a vibrant campus community for over 16,000 students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Baylor is actively recruiting staff who support our mission as we pursue our bold vision, Pro Futuris.

8. ASSISTANT CONSERVATOR, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Reporting to the Project Manager, Watts Towers, the Assistant Conservator participates in the conservation of Watts Towers of Simon Rodia -a national historic monument located in South Los Angeles consisting of seventeen interconnected structures, two of which reach heights of over 99 feet. Watts Towers was built by Sabato Rodia, in his spare time over a period of thirty-three years. The armatures of the structures are constructed from steel pipes and rods, wrapped with wire mesh, coated with mortar that is embedded with pieces of glass, tile, porcelain, and sea shells.

Some duties include: assists with condition assessment and photographic documentation of the sculptures; performs treatments using techniques and procedures previously developed and tested by LACMA staff for the repair of cracks and spalls in the cement mortar and the securing of loose decorative elements; collects data for various monitoring programs; provides administrative tasks including (but not limited to) office organization and supply sourcing.

The qualified candidate must have a Master’s degree in art/architectural conservation from a recognized training program, and three to five years of related experience/employment in conservation. Experience with working on building materials (architecture) or large-scale sculpture constructed from reinforced masonry is desirable.  Familiarity with the use of power tools and ability to work at high elevations (100 feet) on scaffolding is essential. The successful candidate must be conversant with standard software for writing reports and processing images such as Adobe Photoshop, MS Excel, and FileMaker Pro.

An Equal Opportunity Employer: It is the policy of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to provide all persons with equal employment practices and opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran or marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Please follow this link to apply: https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=museasstes&jobId=126737&lang=en_US&source=CC3.

9. OBJECTS CONSERVATOR, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

The Objects Conservator for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will be primarily responsible for the treatment of objects in the Museum’s permanent collection. The ideal candidate must have experience with examination and treatment of a wide variety of contemporary and modern art objects. Experience with contemporary and historic film-related objects including historic film technology equipment is desirable. This is a permanent full-time position.

Reports to the Head of Registration and Collections Management.

Responsibilities:

  • Examines and treats a broad range of objects, often composed of unorthodox or unusual materials with appropriate photographic and written documentation, adhering to the AIC’s Code of Ethics. This includes but is not limited to: identifying structure and components, classifying condition issues and determining treatment plans. These processes may include cleaning, structural consolidation and compensation procedures, and recommendations for appropriate preventative conservation measures as well as storage solutions.
  • Assists with the development of preservation policies and helps establish appropriate conservation methods for storage, handling, technical examination, identification, display, and transport for all artifacts in the Museum’s collections or care.
  • Advises other staff as necessary including curators, collection processors, registrars, preparators and installation crew on the safe care, handling and storage of artifacts.
  • Examines collection material and makes recommendations regarding condition of the material for display and travel. Collaborates with other departments to safely prepare, install, and exhibit objects for internal or external museum exhibitions.
  • Ensures environmental conditions of collection vaults and exhibition galleries are monitored and recorded. Works with the department head, facilities, security and building managers to troubleshoot issues as needed.
  • Other duties may include condition checks for objects from incoming and outgoing loans, technical examination of objects considered for purchase, de-installation, transport, unpacking and packing of crates and other movement requiring proper handling. May act as courier of collection objects when necessary.
  • Supervises fellows, assistants and other contract conservators.
  • Collaborates with conservators in other Academy departments. May also collaborate with film industry experts.
  • Manages and maintains the conservation laboratory in the Museum building as well as organizes and sustains supply inventories for the laboratory in accordance with appropriate health and safety guidelines.
  • Determines need for new and additional equipment and recommends their purchase.
  • Maintains awareness of current conservation techniques by reading current literature, attending lectures/workshops, etc. Contributes to the field by publishing research. Regularly networks with professional colleagues and actively participates in professional organizations concerning the conservation of art and archives.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Education and experience:

  • Master’s degree in art conservation or equivalent with a specialization in object conservation. A minimum of 5 years of object conservation experience is required, additional education, training and experience in conservation highly desirable. A portfolio of relevant work is required.
  • Knowledge of and experience with the care and maintenance of a variety of modern and contemporary art objects that may include painted and unpainted objects made of metal, wood, stone, ceramic, plastic, rubber, wax, mixed media, or other unique materials and installations that include electrical components and that are both small and oversized.
  • Experience with the use of various examination aids such as ultra violet light, I-R reflectography and beta-radiography and knowledge of analytical instrumentation and its applications.
  • The position requires work performed in the galleries and in a normal laboratory environment, including long periods of standing, recurring bending, stopping, stretching, reaching or similar activities.
  • Physical strength and manual dexterity in handling and treating objects is a requirement.
  • The incumbent works in a laboratory environment containing moderately hazardous to hazardous chemicals and flammable solvents, and is required to be aware of and to use special safety precautions to prevent exposure to such agents.
  • Must have a valid passport and driver’s license and be willing to travel domestically and internationally as necessary. Travel between local Academy buildings is required.
  • The incumbent will have strong project management, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills and will collaborate with contract conservation staff when necessary.
  • Demonstrated computer and related technology skills; proficiency with library/museum databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and digital photo editing.
  • Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills and work collaboratively with other Academy staffs.
  • Membership and participation in major conservation associations such as AIC or IIC.

To apply please visit, www.oscars.org/careers.

Any questions about the position may be directed to Sonja Wong Leaon, Head of Registration and Collections Management, swongleaon@oscars.org.