David Booth Fellowship In Paintings Conservation

The David Booth Conservation Department at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is pleased to offer a two-year fellowship in paintings conservation.

The fellowship provides an opportunity to acquire comprehensive advance-level training in paintings preservation, conservation, and restoration in a museum setting.

Working as part of the paintings conservation team, the fellow will assist conservators with all facets of the preservation, conservation, and restoration of modern and contemporary paintings, including acquisition, exhibition, treatment, collection care, and research. Fellowship activities will involve collaboration with departments at the Museum, including curatorial, Exhibition Design and Planning, registrars and art handling, and Imaging and Visual Resources.

Besides developing and refining advanced techniques in paintings conservation, the fellow will have the opportunity to develop and carry out research projects to be disseminated or published online, at conferences, and in peer-reviewed journals.

The Museum of Modern Art is committed to nurturing the next generation of curators, art historians, conservators and other arts professionals. This Conservation Fellowship is part of a distinctive museum wide fellowship program that offers opportunities for training and development through immersion in the Museum’s departments, working alongside and mentored by experienced staff members.

All fellows also participate in a core methods and practice program with MoMA staff and invited guests which explores object-based research and inquiry; public engagement in a museum context; and arts leadership and the role of cultural institutions.

Responsibilities:

• Keeps abreast of new technical and material developments in the art historical and conservation fields through participation in professional meetings and reading of conservation, technical, and art historical literature.
• Adheres to the AIC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
• Assists in advising curators on the condition of works of art as related to acquisition, preparation of works for exhibition, collection care, and loans.
• Researches, develops, and tests materials and techniques for conservation use.
• Investigates, evaluates, and tests new materials and practices used by contemporary artists.
• Participates in courier activities as required.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.
• Conducts examinations and writes condition reports on paintings in the collection. Recommends and executes treatment of works of art and their optimal storage and exhibition conditions, in consultation with paintings conservators and museum colleagues.
• Assists in maintaining galleries and displays.
• Collaborates with MoMA’s Creative Team, publishes research relevant to MoMA’s collection.
• Records full photographic and written documentation of original condition and all stages of treatment of works of art.
• Works with conservation science colleagues to analyze artist and conservation materials, and interpretation of scientific data.
• Assists in advising curators, registrars, and exhibitions staff on the conservation guidelines to ensure protection of works of art during exhibition, and storage.
• Assists in supervising interns and conservation program trainees as requested.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in conservation or advanced certificate from a recognized conservation program, with a demonstrated concentration in the conservation of paintings.
• Familiarity with digital imaging documentation, including ultra-violet, infrared, and photomicrography, and x-radiography.
• Experience with treatment of modern and contemporary works.
• An understanding of the applications of analytical instruments, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.
• Excellent speaking, reading, and writing skills in English. Proficiency in additional language(s) desirable.
• Examination and treatment of paintings at an advanced intern level.
• Proficiency with computer software, including image editing, and Adobe Photoshop preferable.

Reports to: Painting Conservators

Salary: $52,000 per annum plus benefits and vacation, with $3,500 annually for research and travel.

Application instructions:

Candidates should apply online at MoMA Jobs. In addition to your resume, please submit a detailed letter of interest and include the name of three references; letters from references are not required. Do not include treatment reports in the application. Candidates invited for interviews will be asked to supply treatment reports at that time. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and remain open until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement:

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).

The Museum of Modern Art’s Conservation Fellowship Initiative is made possible through the David Booth Conservation Center Endowment Fund.