Author: Carmina Lamare-Bertrand

Centre for Research Collections Conservation Internship (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Centre for Research Collections Internship at the University of Edinburgh

The Centre for Research Collections (CRC) has developed a program of internships to teach and extend core skills in the archive, conservation and research disciplines.

A 6-week conservation internship is available with a stipend of GBP2,000 attached. This internship is designed for those who have recently completed (or are close to the completion of) a relevant professional qualification but are yet to gain paid or permanent employment in the sector. The internship will offer the successful candidate valuable work experience in their chosen career to enhance future employability. The intern will be well supported by CRC staff and offered extensive opportunities to develop their skills.

The intern will be based within the Centre of Research Collections, working on a collection of Session Papers from 1710-1850. These papers cover an extraordinary period in the nation’s history from the immediate aftermath of the Union of 1707 through the Jacobite wars, the Enlightenment, the agricultural and industrial revolutions and the building of Walter Scott’s Edinburgh.

Wider experience of working in the special collections and higher education sectors will also be offered.

To apply, provide the following:

  1. your CV of no more than 2 sides of A4 (to include contact details, information on your qualifications and any previous voluntary or work experience, and contact details for two referees)
  1. a supporting statement of 500 words detailing why you are interested in the internship and describing how participation in the program would benefit your future career
  1. confirmation that you are eligible to work in the UK (a statement in either your CV, covering e-mail, or supporting statement will suffice at application stage)

Please note that applications without 1 – 3 above will not be considered.

Applications may be sent via email or post to Nicole Devereux (nicole.devereux@ed.ac.uk); Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh University Library, 30 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LJ).

Applicants will be shortlisted and selection will be based on a subsequent, informal, interview at the CRC. Please note that expenses to attend the informal interview will not be paid.

  • Closing date for applications: April 13, 2018
  • Informal interview date: April 27, 2018
  • Proposed start date: May 14, 2018

For further information, please contact Nicole on nicole.devereux@ed.ac.uk, or visit: https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/library-museum-gallery/crc/volunteers-interns.

Volunteers and Interns are an important part of the CRC and contribute a great deal towards our overall success.

 

 

 

 

 

Director of Book Conservation (Andover, MA, USA) – updated

The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) is seeking an innovative and creative   conservation professional to lead its nationally-recognized book conservation laboratory. The successful candidate will be joining the NEDCC Senior Management team and will benefit from working in a collaborative atmosphere with digital imaging specialists and conservators in other specialties. The book conservation laboratory contributes a significant amount to NEDCC’s fiscal health with work from a broad spectrum of cultural institutions and private clients. Volumes conserved at NEDCC are varied and may include rare books and pamphlets, bound manuscripts and prints, and scrapbooks and albums. The Center has treated some of the nation’s most significant volumes, such as William Bradford’s manuscript history of the Plymouth Plantation; Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s journals of the Corps of Discovery Expedition; the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon; and Jacqueline Kennedy’s White House scrapbooks. See NEDCC Stories for other projects of note.

The Director of Book Conservation is responsible for:  Cultivating prospective clients; building relationships and conferring with clients nationwide to develop appropriate treatment proposals; performing collections assessments; leading a staff of professional book conservators who perform consultations, treatments, and collections assessments; setting and monitoring standards for quality and productivity; working closely with NEDCC’s other department heads on joint projects; and presenting at national conferences. In addition, the role of the Director of Book Conservation as a member of NEDCC’s senior management team includes hiring, strategic planning, policy development, and other NEDCC-wide initiatives that have a broad impact on the preservation of cultural heritage collections nationwide.

Qualifications

  • detailed knowledge of and hands-on experience in book conservation
  • strong oral and written communication skills
  • excellent relationship-building skills
  • a solid educational and/or practical foundation in book conservation
  • commitment to both the highest quality conservation treatment results and the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice
  • leadership and management skills to support a high-quality, efficient and productive work environment

About NEDCC
Founded in 1973, NEDCC specializes in the conservation and digitization of paper-based materials and has recently expanded its services to include preservation of audio recordings. NEDCC’s mission is to improve the preservation efforts of libraries, archives, historical organizations, museums, and other repositories; to provide the highest quality conservation and reformatting services to collections-holding institutions; and to provide leadership in preservation, conservation, and digital reformatting. Its services include book, paper, and photograph conservation; digital reformatting (imaging and audio); assessments and consultations; disaster assistance; and workshops and conferences. NEDCC is located in Andover, MA, twenty-five miles north of Boston. For more information, please visit www.nedcc.org.

Application Process
NEDCC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Salary and benefits are competitive. This position will remain open until filled. Feel free to direct any preliminary questions about the position to Bill Veillette. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume in a single PDF to Bill Veillette, Executive Director, bveillette@nedcc.org.

This job announcement has been updated on May 14, 2018.

Senior Scientist (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI)—located at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California, and the Getty Villa in Malibu, California—is one of the operating programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust, working internationally to advance conservation practice in the visual arts—broadly interpreted to include objects, collections, architecture, and sites. The GCI serves the conservation community through scientific research, education and training, field projects, and the dissemination of information. In all its endeavors, the GCI creates and delivers knowledge that contributes to the conservation of the world’s cultural heritage.

The GCI’s Science Department is seeking a Senior Scientist to join our Built Heritage Research Initiative (BHRI), to develop, manage, and implement scientific research in this area. BHRI focuses on the development and application of scientific research skills to improve conservation of the world’s built heritage from ancient to modern: including developing new techniques to evaluate built heritage environments and materials; holistic, multi-scale approaches to understanding durability and deterioration of built heritage materials; and the evaluation of novel conservation solutions. Current areas of focus include sandstone conservation, nature-based conservation and conservation of concrete.

Reporting to the Head of Science, the Senior Scientist will oversee and develop all the scientific projects within the GCI’s long-term BHRI. He/she must perform to the highest level in terms of scientific standards, research and analysis to promote advancement of conservation science in this area, including: developing and managing complex scientific projects, often collaborative projects with internal and external partners; supervising and managing a team of scientists, post docs and interns; establishing research priorities, monitoring progress, and managing work flow; deciding on the best methods of dissemination; and managing all project resources including budget and staffing.

The Senior Scientist must have a PhD in chemistry, materials science, geoscience or other natural science, and 10–15 years of scientific research experience preferably in a heritage conservation environment. A high level of experience with a range of analytical instrumentation applied to building materials is essential, including field-based NDT methods. A deep understanding of the conservation issues of built heritage is also required. The candidate must have a demonstrated record of managing large and complex scientific research projects, involving numerous research strands, and multiple partners. He/she must be adaptable, analytical, and a creative problem-solver and thinker; able to work effectively in a highly collaborative and variable environment; and possess excellent management, organization, communication, and writing skills.

An excellent benefits package and salary commensurate with experience will be provided.

To apply, please see: https://jobs-getty.icims.com/jobs/3136/senior-scientist%2c-built-heritage-research-initiative/job. Please prepare a cover letter and curriculum vitae in a single PDF file. Note: When prompted by the online application system to select or submit your “resume”, please upload your cover letter and curriculum vitae as a single PDF file.

Candidates who successfully complete the online application process will receive an automated message from “autoreply@icims.com”. If you have specific questions about the Senior Scientist position, please email gcistaffing@getty.edu. Deadline for applications is May 31, 2018.

Updated: March 14, 2018

Project Specialist (Los Angeles, CA, USA) – PASSED DEADLINE

The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), located in Los Angeles, California, and one of the operating programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust, works internationally to advance conservation practice in the visual arts—broadly interpreted to include objects, collections, architecture, and sites. The Institute serves the conservation community through scientific research, education and training, field projects, and the dissemination of information. In all its endeavors, the GCI creates and delivers knowledge that contributes to the conservation of the world’s cultural heritage.

The Building and Sites Department of the Getty Conservation Institute is relaunching a search for a Project Specialist to work on the Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative (CMAI). Reporting to the Senior Project Specialist who manages the CMAI, the Project Specialist will manage the CMAI’s new education and training initiatives and engage in other CMAI field/research projects. This is a three-year, limited-term position, based in Los Angeles.

The CMAI’s goal is to advance the management, conservation, and recognition of the value of twentieth-century heritage through research, field projects, publications and training activities. This includes the development of training materials and techniques for physical conservation that increases the application of appropriate values-based conservation methodologies, leading to an expanded and strengthened community of practice. By developing and offering a variety of courses and training opportunities (of short and long duration) and offering other capacity building experiences, CMAI will reach target audiences at many different levels and in different regions of the world.

The Project Specialist will manage the development of modern conservation training courses, develop related didactic materials, and implement these courses. The position holder will also engage in other CMAI activities such as field/research projects. He/She will be responsible for: developing course budgets and schedules, selecting trainers and lecturers, preparing course material, and selecting participants. He/She will manage the day to day needs of the course to meet its educational goals; this will include working closely with participants, lecturers, and others involved in the delivery of the course. He/She will work with a broad range of conservation and heritage professionals in an international environment. The Project Specialist will develop a new course that is repeatable; and addresses the needs of audiences in different regions of the world.

Must have a Bachelor’s degree in architecture, architectural conservation, urban planning, or related discipline. Post-graduate degree in cultural-heritage conservation or the equivalent practical experience is also required. Must have a minimum of 5–7 years of practical work experience in the area of built heritage conservation and experience in teaching and/or designing educational and training courses. Interest and demonstrated experience in conserving twentieth-century heritage is also required.

The Project Specialist must be adaptable, analytical, a positive problem-solver, and a creative thinker. The position requires excellent oral and written communication skills and superior organizational and time management skills. Proficiency in English is required and proficiency in a language other than English is an advantage. The position involves international travel. This is a three-year, limited-term position.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs-getty.icims.com/jobs/3046/gci-project-specialist%2c-conserving-modern-architecture-initiative/job. Please prepare a cover letter and curriculum vitae in a single PDF file. Note:  When prompted by the online application system to select or submit your “resume”, please upload your cover letter and curriculum vitae as a single PDF file.

Candidates who successfully complete the online application process will receive an automated message from “autoreply@icims.com”. If you have specific questions about the Project Specialist position, please email gcistaffing@getty.edu. The period to apply has been re-opened and applications will be accepted through April 20, 2018.

Rev. March 19, 2018

Associate Textile Conservator or Textile Conservator (St. Louis, MO, USA)

SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM

  • Grade K or M (exempt)
  • Reports to: Head of Conservation
  • Supervises: No one

Specifications: Degree from an accredited conservation program or its equivalent and 6 years conservation experience in textile conservation preferred. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and has a starting range in the low-$50,000s (associate), to mid-$60,000s (conservator) yearly with annual merit raises and comprehensive benefits including support for continuing education and conference attendance. Moving expense assistance is provided.

Job description: The Saint Louis Art Museum seeks a collegial, collaborative, and energetic textile conservator to join its active conservation team. SLAM is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums with collections that include works of art of exceptional quality from virtually every culture and time period. A growing collection of over 3500 textiles date from Coptic to contemporary arts. Multiple curatorial departments including Decorative Arts, Asian arts, and Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas oversee the textile collection. The museum’s textile gallery hosts two exhibitions per year. As the museum’s textile conservator, the candidate will conduct conservation treatments, address display needs including mount systems, as well as storage requirements. The ideal candidate will have a broad and solid foundation in treatment techniques for a wide range of primarily flat textiles and be capable of collaborating with other conservation staff to solve unique preservation challenges. Knowledge of textile science, fabric structures, sewing construction and needlework techniques required. Experience with costume and historic upholstery conservation treatments are a plus. The candidate must be organized with excellent time and project management skills.

Duties, work performed:

  • Examine and assess physical condition of textiles including deterioration, damage, and potential complications involved in
  • Design and carry out conservation treatment in consultation with the
  • Design and construct mount systems for 2 & 3-dimensional
  • Provide written and photographic documentation to record condition of objects, treatments proposed, and treatments
  • Recommend other Conservators outside their field of expertise and review treatment
  • Examine textile works prior to acquisition to aid the Curatorial staff in determining physical and aesthetic condition, as well as authenticity of
  • Examine works requested for loan to document their condition and to determine suitability for travel and, and advise the Registrar and others on any special packing and shipping
  • Provide guidance to the Collections Care Technician on the maintenance of textiles on display in the
  • Advise the Registrar, Curators, and other museum staff members on the handling, installation, storage, and maintenance of works in the
  • Administer the workflow and assist in preparing, monitoring and controlling the budget of the Textile Conservation Lab.
  • Recommend acquisition of new
  • Monitor and order conservation

The above statements of this job description describe the general duties and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They do not claim to describe all of the functions of this position. Employees may be assigned other duties and the essential functions may change or be changed from time to time.

Applicants should apply through the Museum’s website www.slam.org. Additional questions regarding the position or the collection should be directed to the Head of Conservation – hugh.shockey@slam.org.

The Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly base on their abilities, achievements, and experience, without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

World of Maps Project Internships (Washington DC, USA)

The Smithsonian Libraries is offering two four-month paid internships for emerging library/archives and conservation professionals for The World of Maps Project. The World of Maps project seeks to protect and preserve maps across various departments of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC.

In this internship, two interns will learn how to review collections, assess treatment needs, and perform conservation stabilization for 50 annotated maps; and to further identify preservation needs for housing and storage for an additional 1400 maps, important to past and active museum research. Interns will gain exposure to the methodologies of cartography, archives and librarianship, overlaid with the modern layers of digital enhancement to historic content will be explored, as the World of Maps interns also interact often with the NMNH’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) group.

Both interns would report to the Smithsonian Libraries, with consulting technical supervision by Smithsonian Archives, and curatorial input from staff in the National Museum of Natural History.

The internship is 32 weeks (four months) starting in early September 2018.  The stipend is $16,000.00 ($500/week).

The application deadline is May 1, 2018.  

Please see our webpage for detailed information and application instructions: http://s.si.edu/2FY5ngb. Email Erin Rushing (rushinge@si.edu) with questions.

Fellow in Contemporary Art Conservation and Research (London, UK)

Tate aims to be the most artistically adventurous and culturally inclusive global art museum. We
deliver this aim through activities in our four galleries across the UK (Tate Liverpool, Tate St Ives,
Tate Britain and Tate Modern), our digital platforms and collaborations with our national and
international partners. At the heart of Tate is our collection of art, which includes British art from
the 16th century to the present day, and international modern art from 1900 to the present day.

Contribute to the vanguard of the conservation of contemporary art and research.
Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the research initiative Reshaping the Collectible: When Artworks Live in the Museum aims to transform the way the museum meets the challenges of collecting and conserving art at the forefront of artistic practice today.

This is your chance to work with one of the most globally important art institutions on ground-breaking research into the conservation and stewardship of contemporary art. This role will provide you with the opportunity to contribute to a major research project and also to contribute to the work of Tate’s pioneering time-based media conservation team.

As a member of the wider project implementation team of pioneering practitioners and thinkers, you will be an experienced conservator able to contribute to the work of the time-based media conservation team. As part of your contribution to the research, you will document the case studies, identify what is important to preserve, and provide an in-depth analysis of the vulnerabilities of the case studies and their associated risks. As part of this role you will be required to contribute to the dissemination of the project, you will therefore also write authoritative texts for a specialist readership as well as accessible texts for a general public.

You will have a professional qualification in conservation or equivalent experience with experience of working in the conservation of contemporary art and undertaking the assessment, treatment and documentation of artworks for storage, transport and display. You will also have practical knowledge and experience working with Health and Safety regulations.

Your experience of conducting research is essential, as is your dynamic and flexible approach to working with a team to deliver the project. As the role involves collaborating with a broad range of partners, you will be an exceptional communicator and able to deliver meticulous organisation and attention to detail. Above all, you will be driven to achieve with the ability to use your own initiative.

This position is offered on a fixed-term contract of 3 years.

For a full job description, visit the following:

Click here to apply.

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Northwestern/Art Institute of Chicago External Project Proposals

The Northwestern University-Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts (NU-ACCESS) is seeking external project proposals to advance the role of science within art history, curatorial scholarship, archaeology, and conservation. The goals of the collaborative program are to enrich the breadth, scope, and reach of scientific studies in the arts and in the wider field of conservation in the US and abroad, by leveraging resources at the Art Institute and materials-related departments at Northwestern University. The Center, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, is the first of its kind to make its resources open to both internal and external users via merit-review proposals, within the framework of a double-pronged approach pursuing both objects-based and objects-inspired scientific research in the arts.

The deadline for external proposals is April 15, 2018.

To apply, please visit the website: http://www.nuaccess.northwestern.edu/proposals/external-proposals.html.

You may direct any questions to: nu-access@northwestern.edu.

National Fund for Sacred Places – Deadline April 17

Grant Funding for Sacred Places

From prairie churches to urban cathedrals and synagogues, historic sacred places are often the oldest, and most beautiful, buildings within our communities. Grants from the National Fund for Sacred Places help to keep these places as an important part of our national cultural heritage. The Fund for Sacred Places is a comprehensive program that provides training, planning grants, and capital grants from $50,000 to $250,000 to congregations of all faiths for rehabilitation work on their historic facilities. Letters of Intent due April 17.

www.fundforsacredplaces.org

Paintings Conservator (Minneapolis, MN, USA) – POSITION FILLED

*** APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED – PLEASE DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS POSITION ***

The Midwest Art Conservation Center is seeking an experienced paintings conservator. This is a full-time position with occasional travel. Applicants must have an advanced degree in art conservation with a specialization in paintings conservation. A minimum of five years post graduate experience is preferred. The position title and responsibilities will be commensurate with experience. The position calls for treatments on paintings from all periods, including contemporary works and murals. MACC provides excellent salaries along with outstanding benefits including medical, dental, 403b contributions, vacations, AIC membership, and professional development.

MACC is an independent, nonprofit, regional center providing comprehensive conservation services in Paintings, Objects, Paper and Textiles. The staff is collaborative, very collegial and works innovatively with the curatorial and collection professionals of hundreds of Midwest institutions including the largest art museums, historical societies, universities, libraries and archives, as well as small and mid-sized institutions with unique and varied collections. MACC laboratories are located within the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Please send your confidential cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three references to: cturner@preserveart.org.

Colin D. Turner
Executive Director
Midwest Art Conservation Center
2400 – 3rd Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Tel: (612) 870-3148

Applications received by May 15 will receive priority review.