Internship – AIC Blog Archives: Conservators Converse

Willman Spawn Conservation Internship

The Library of the American Philosophical Society (APS) is seeking applicants with significant previous paper and/or book conservation experience for this year’s Willman Spawn Conservation Internship. The successful candidate will report to the APS Conservation Department and will gain practical experience in a professional conservation laboratory through conservation treatment of manuscripts, books, documents, and other graphic materials on paper, as well as environmental monitoring and rehousing of materials. The intern’s special interests and specific goals will be considered as part of the internship. The intern will also be expected to write a blog post about the internship and to give an informal talk to library staff.

Founded in 1743, the Library of the American Philosophical Society, located near Independence Hall in Philadelphia, is a leading international center for research in the history of American and European science and technology, early American history and culture, and Native American languages and cultures. The Library houses over 13 million manuscript leaves, 275,000 volumes and bound periodicals, thousands of prints and maps, and large audio, video, and digital holdings. Outstanding historical collections and subject areas include the papers of Benjamin Franklin (14,000 letters and documents); Jefferson’s holograph of the Declaration of Independence; western scientific expeditions and travel, including the original journals of Lewis and Clark; polar exploration; history of physics and 20th-century medical research.

The APS Conservation Department currently has a staff of two conservators: Head of Conservation Anne Downey, a paper conservator, and Assistant Conservator Renée Wolcott, a book conservator. An Assistant Paper Conservator will be joining the department in October. Together the conservation staff is responsible for item-level conservation of library materials, surveying the collections for conservation and preservation needs, monitoring the library environment, and preparing library materials for loan and exhibition.

This year’s internship is designed for college graduates who are now in the process of applying to graduate programs in art conservation, graduate students who are currently pursuing studies in an accredited master’s program in art conservation, and conservators who have graduated from such a program within the last 12 months. The internship may be full time or part time, and the length and start date of the internship are negotiable. The internship is temporary and will pay $16–$20 per hour based on the intern’s previous conservation experience. Pay is capped at a total of $8,786 for the internship period, and no benefits are offered with this position. Preference will be given to applicants who have previous library conservation treatment experience and can work independently with little supervision.

Applications will be accepted through August 24, 2018.

The American Philosophical Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Successful applicants will be asked to show proof that they legally can work in the United States.

To apply, upload CV or résumé, a cover letter explaining qualifications for and interest in the position and three references (not letters of reference, please) to http://apply.interfolio.com/52258.

Please direct any questions to Renée Wolcott, Assistant Conservator, at rwolcott@amphilsoc.org

Icon internships, textiles conservation (UK)

Icon Internships, Textiles Conservation
The Bowes Museum HLF Skills for the Future Internship
12 months Internship starting September 2018
Location: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham Educational Stipend: GBP16,000 plus GPB1,000 training allowance

The Bowes Museum, in partnership with Icon, and with the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund is offering a program of Textile Conservation internships from 2014 to 2019. The intern to work within the conservation department, and alongside the department of textile and dress.

The Bowes’ formed one of the earliest collections of European textiles in Britain, including tapestries, embroideries, furnishing textiles, lace, quilts and carpets. The costume collection includes haute couture from the 1860s onwards, with an important group of costume and accessories which belonged to Empress Eugenie of France. More information is available at www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

The intern will join the Textile Conservator in working towards the re-display of the Textiles and Dress Gallery though conservation assessments, treatments and mounting. As part of the conservation team, the intern will gain practical, preventive and workplace skills, tailored to help them develop their careers in conservation.

Other projects throughout the year will include:

Temporary exhibitions and displays
Pest management programme in the textile and dress stores
Care of textiles on open display, including upholstery and carpets
Ongoing improvements to the textile and costume stores, including of the Blackbourne Lace Collection
Regular contributions to The Bowes Museum blog
Assisting with conservation-related enquiries
Publicizing the work of the department through networking with other professionals, attending conferences, publications etc.

Candidates will be asked to present a portfolio with evidence of their conservation work and/or related textile skills, at the interview

You can apply for this placement if you have a recognized qualification in conservation, preferably specializing in textiles. Applicants wishing to pursue a career in textiles conservation, without formal training, but with a demonstrable interest in museums conservation and heritage, and able to demonstrate a high level of manual dexterity will also be considered. Applicants must be self-motivated and proactive. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Please apply using the application form on the Icon website only. https://icon.org.uk/what-is-conservation/internships.

Closing date: 5:00 p.m. on July 12, 2018
Interviews will be held on during the week of July 23, 2018.

Questions: pwhife@icon.org.uk.

Internship in Paper Conservation (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum of the Netherlands. The collection contains 1.1 million (art) objects from and relating to the Netherlands from the Middle Ages until the 20th century. The museum receives over two million visitors a year with a stunning building, surprising decor, beautiful exhibitions, lively events and many pleasant facilities for young and old.

The Rijksmuseum’s dynamic and diverse Conservation Department is housed in the Ateliergebouw, or Studio Building, across the street from the main museum. In addition to the six conservation studios and laboratories of the Rijksmuseum, the building hosts the conservation training program of the University of Amsterdam, the Scientific Department of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) and the newly formed Netherlands Institute of Conservation, Art and Science (NICAS). The strong collaboration between conservators, scientific researchers and art historians in the three institutes makes for an interdisciplinary and inspiring environment.

The department of Paper Conservation consists of a core team of three paper conservators, two photographic materials conservators and three conservation technicians and is supplemented by many other conservators working on different projects, as well as researchers and scientists. Together they are responsible for the conservation of the collection of the Rijksprentenkabinet: the largest museum collection of prints, drawings and photographs of the Netherlands.

The Rijksmuseum is inviting applications for: Internship in Paper Conservation.

The position is full-time (36 hours per week) for the duration of 3 to 6 months, to be scheduled in 2019, in accordance with the interns training program and the department schedule.

The intern will be given the opportunity to carry out conservation treatments on works of art on paper and conduct research on their materials, techniques and condition. The intern will also assist the paper conservators with monitoring the condition and maintenance of the collection, preparing prints and drawings for loans, writing condition reports, (de-) installing exhibitions, and assisting with on-going research projects. The Paper Conservation department works closely with the Curatorial Department, and the intern will be expected to participate in discussions about on-going treatments and research projects. Interns will also have the opportunity to attend regular talks organized by the three institutions mentioned above.

Requirements: For the duration of the entire internship applicants must be students enrolled in an MA-level conservation training program with a specialization in paper conservation. Applicants should possess:

*   Sufficient knowledge and skills to carry out practical conservation treatments
*   Interest in integrating scientific research into conservation practice
*   Basic knowledge of analytical methods useful for research
*   Fluency in Dutch or English, spoken and written
*   The ability to work in a team

Terms: The internship is unpaid. A modest monthly stipend of 250 euros a month based on a 36-hours working week is offered. Special requirements are in place for students coming from outside the European Union.

Information: The application requires a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation, by sending to vacatures@rijksmuseum.nl. For further information, please contact Idelette van Leeuwen, Head of Paper Conservation, tel: +31(0)20-67474113. For questions regarding the application procedure, please contact Lieke Boers, Personnel Officer, tel. +31(0)20-6747304.

The closing date for all applications is August 7, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. (Amsterdam time/CET). No applications will be accepted after the deadline. All applications must be submitted in Dutch or in English by email: vacatures@rijksmuseum.nl. Applications or related materials in any other form will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified by September 1, 2018.

2018/19 Post-Graduate Internship in Conservation (Edmonton, AB, Canada)

The Friends of the Provincial Archives of Alberta Society is pleased to offer one (1) Young Canada Works Internship in archival conservation at the Provincial Archives of Alberta. Based in Edmonton, the Conservator (Intern) will work on a variety of treatment, collections care, and outreach projects designed to expand the intern’s knowledge of preservation and its applications in an archival context. Projects include treatment of paper-based records (bound volumes, textual and photographic), repair of glass plate negatives, off-site collection assessment and environmental monitoring. Treatment projects for this internship are focused on records relating to Indigenous communities in Alberta, in order to enhance access to these important historical resources.

This internship requires a solid background in the conservation of historic materials. The ideal candidate would be a recent graduate of a conservation program with an archival conservation component. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required, specifically Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. A willingness to participate in public engagement is also important, as is the enthusiasm to make the most of an excellent practical learning opportunity.

The Friends of the Provincial Archives of Alberta Society is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified parties (particularly women, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority and Indigenous communities), subject to the requirements of the Young Canada Works program.

This position is scheduled to run for 24 weeks, between 10 September 2018 – 1 March 2019 with a stipend of $20.20/hour (36 hours per week). Please note: start and end dates are flexible but the term cannot extend beyond 31 March 2019.

Please note that there are two steps to the application process:

Step 1: Register with the Young Canada Works 2018 Program at the following address: https://young-canada-works.canada.ca/Account/Login

Step 2: Forward a letter of interest, resume, and a sample treatment record (attached or include a url) by June 22, 2018 to:

Alison Freake
Conservator
Access and Preservation Services
Provincial Archives of Alberta
8555 Roper Road
Edmonton AB T6E 5W1
Email: alison.freake@gov.ab.ca

The Friends of the Provincial Archives of Alberta Society gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the Canadian Council of Archives and Canadian Heritage in support of this internship opportunity.

Preventive Conservation (Musselburgh, UK)

Icon Internship, Preventive Conservation
National Trust for Scotland supported by the Bute Memorial Fund
12 month internship starting October 2018
Location: Newhailes House, Musselburgh, EH21 6RY
Supervisor: Julie Bon ACR Conservator East
Educational Stipend: GBP17,000, plus dedicated study visit fund

This internship is hosted by the National Trust for Scotland, supported by the Trust’s Bute Memorial Fund and managed in partnership with Icon.

The Bute/Icon internship is an exceptional opportunity for an emerging professional. The Trust is Scotland’s leading conservation charity, with an extensive portfolio of built heritage sites, from castles and country houses to cottages, working historic environments and modern museum facilities. Material culture collections are on open display at more than 50 of these properties, and their care is the responsibility of the Trust’s Curatorial & Conservation Service. Our emphasis is on a collaborative approach rooted in strategy, preventive conservation principles and practice.

The intern will be supervised by the Trust’s Conservator East and will be based at the East Regional Office at Newhailes House. The focus of the internship will be assisting with a number of projects due to happen at Newhailes over the next year, including a large-scale moth eradication project and the development of a plan for the conservation, display and interpretation of the house and its collections.

Alongside this the intern will have the opportunity to be involved with the delivery of preventive conservation activities (environmental monitoring and control, light management, IPM and housekeeping) to further embed and raise standards at this and other Trust properties. An important and stimulating part of the internship will be to help deliver conservation training events for Trust staff and volunteers.

The intern will also get to experience and contribute to conservation projects and activities throughout the Trust according to a mutually agreed work plan. Overnight stays in various parts of Scotland should be anticipated, and will be funded separately by the Trust.

The successful applicant will have a recognized conservation qualification and will actively be seeking a career in preventive conservation. S/he will relish working in Scotland, and be a highly-motivated, reliable and resourceful individual with outstanding interpersonal skills. Strong IT and organisational skills are essential, as well as an ability to work at heights. A full UK / EU driving licence and a willingness to drive are essential.

Please apply using the application form on the Icon website only. https://icon.org.uk/what-is-conservation/internships.

Closing date: Midday on July 23, 2018
Interviews will be held on August 22, 2018 starting in early October 2018

Questions: pwhife@icon.org.uk.

Painting Conservation Internship (London, UK)

Guildhall Art Gallery, London, UK
Funded by City of London Corporation City Educational Trust
Duration – 6 months, October 2018 to April 2019 (tbc)
Stipend – GBP8,500
Deadline for applications – Friday, July 6, 2018
Interviews – Friday, July 20, 2018

Guildhall Art Gallery houses the City of London’s art collection. It is an accredited art gallery offering a lively exhibitions program to the public. The collection comprises over 4,500 oil paintings, works on paper and sculptures. Highlights include London topographical subjects from the 17th century to the present, Victorian paintings, civic and royal portraits from the 17th century onwards and the Sir Matthew Smith studio collection.

Guildhall Art Gallery is committed to supporting the professional development of recently graduated conservators and is pleased to have offered conservation internships since 2007. In this internship you will gain invaluable experience of working in a major art institution, learn about gallery practice and contribute to the daily activities of the conservation team. Over six months, you will have the opportunity – under appropriate supervision – to carry out the examination, documentation and treatment of a painting or paintings from the collection required for exhibition or loan.

Our conservation team consists of a Senior Conservator (paintings), a Conservator (paintings) and a Lead Conservator (frames). You will be supervised by the Conservator (paintings) but will have the opportunity to work closely with all members of the conservation team.

The placement requires a strong practical ability to carry out conservation and restoration treatments of paintings and good problem-solving skills. You should have good learning skills, the ability to work effectively as part of a team and on your own, and be motivated to developing your career in paintings conservation.

Applicants should have recently obtained a recognised postgraduate qualification in paintings conservation. Preference will be given to graduates from UK training courses. Guildhall Art Gallery and the funders of this internship are obliged to confirm that every applicant has a right to work in the United Kingdom. This internship cannot be carried out on a student visa and requires the intern to hold the appropriate work visa for the duration of the placement.

Application forms are supplied upon request to nancy.wade@cityoflondon.gov.uk.

Please state ‘Painting Conservation Internship Application Request’ as the email subject.

Textiles Conservation (UK)

Icon Internships, Textiles Conservation
The Bowes Museum HLF Skills for the Future Internship
2 x 12 months Internships starting August 2018
Location: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham Educational Stipend: GBP16,000

The intern will join the Textile Conservator in working towards the re-display of the Textiles and Dress Gallery though conservation assessments, treatments and mounting. As part of the conservation team, the interns will gain practical, preventive and workplace skills, tailored to help them develop their careers in conservation.

Other projects throughout the year will include:

– Temporary exhibitions and displays
– Pest management program in the textile and dress stores
– Care of textiles on open display, including upholstery and carpets
– Ongoing improvements to the textile and costume stores, including of the Blackbourne Lace Collection
– Regular contributions to The Bowes Museum blog
– Assisting with conservation-related inquiries
– Publicizing the work of the department through networking with other professionals, attending conferences, publications etc.

Candidates will be asked to present a portfolio with evidence of their conservation work and/or related textile skills, at the interview

Please apply using the application form on the Icon website only, https://icon.org.uk/what-is-conservation/internships.

Closing date: 9:00 a.m. on May 25, 2018
Interviews will be held on June 6 and 7, with start date of August 20, 2018.

Questions: pwhife@icon.org.uk

Textile Conservation Intern (Norfolk, UK)

Salary for the role is GBP 23,375 per year for this 2 year internship

The National Trust is Europe’s leading conservation charity. Its textile collections, located in over 300 historic houses open to the public in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, are of outstanding importance. Textiles are an enormously valuable asset in the presentation of historic properties and the Trust’s collections amount to over 100,000 items which includes 650 tapestries, 20 state beds and 31,000 pieces of costume.

Using an interdisciplinary approach, we work with our colleagues to utilise and adapt current research and new techniques in imaginative ways. We have completed some challenging projects over the years, ranging from large scale textiles such as tapestries and state beds, to costume. We are committed to training through internships and student placements. Textile conservation also offers great opportunities to engage the public, through interpretation of our work at our properties. We have a committed, enthusiastic and dedicated team we’d like you to be a part of.

What you’ll be doing
You’ll be a recent conservation graduate looking to build on your practical skills in the specialist area of textile conservation. Under supervision, you’ll undertake practical treatments both in the studio and on site. You’ll assist and support studio staff with the organisation and maintenance of equipment and undertake environmental and pest monitoring within the studio.

You’ll be passionate about conservation, and will bring drive, commitment and a willingness to learn to this role. To facilitate this, you will have the opportunity to attend specialist training courses and conferences as well as choosing to undertake a placement in another studio, institution or historic property. It is a great place to develop your career.

Who we’re looking for

To be successful in this role, you’ll need to have:
A recognized conservation qualification at degree level or higher
Excellent needlework skills and an understanding of textile techniques
Understanding of conservation science
Demonstrable knowledge and interest in textile history, historic properties and the care of their collections
Good team working with a flexible approach
Ability to multi-task and work in collaboration with other teams
Work experience within in the conservation field
Ability to organize own time, plan ahead and meet deadlines
Good written and verbal communication skills, including public presentations
Good IT skills
Ability to work at height from scaffolds and ladders (training will be given)
Driving licence and access to your own vehicle, due to the location of the Studio

How to Apply

Applications Open: April 12, 2018. To apply for these vacancies to go www.ntjobs.org.uk.
Closing Date: May 3, 2018
Interviews: June 19, 2018

For an informal discussion about this post, you are welcome to contact Maria Jordan at maria.jordan@nationaltrust.org.uk, and on +44 (0)1263-735-878.

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.

Paid Summer 2018 Objects Conservation Internship (Newport, RI, USA)

The Preservation Society of Newport County is offering a 9-week summer internship in their Conservation Department. The intern will be working as part of a team of professionals conducting surveys in the various houses assessing display and storage issues, the condition of room ensembles and damages to objects, as well as the condition of specific material groups. Under supervision, the intern has the opportunity to work on a nineteenth-century gilded console table from Rosecliff. Treatment will include: cleaning of the overall surface, consolidation of gilding layers, removal of bronze overpaint, and inpainting.

The Preservation Society’s collection consists of 11 historic museum buildings (seven designated National Historic Landmarks) and 60,000+ collections objects dating from antiquity to the mid-20th century. For more information about the Preservation Society of Newport County, please go to www.newportmansions.org.

The Conservation Department works closely with the Collections Manager and Caretaking staff in tackling the various collections care challenges in our houses. The intern will be working with this team Monday to Friday. Weekly work hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Expected start date is June 11, 2018. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in the conservation of decorated surfaces and currently enrolled in a graduate level conservation training program. Applicants should have a strong interest in museum work although no previous museum work is necessary. A stipend is offered for this position.

Deadline: March 15, 2018

How to apply: Please email resume/CV, cover letter and contact information for two professional references to Patricia Miller, Chief Conservator pmiller2@newportmansions.org .

The Preservation Society of Newport County
424 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island 02840