Internship: 2015 Internship for MCI's Mecklenburg Materials Archive (Washington, DC/Suitland, MD

The Smithsonian Institution’s Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) is looking for a student with graduate-level experience/training in archives, records, and information management and an interest in materials science or conservation to assist with the organization of MCI’s Mecklenburg Materials Archive.
The Archive: For nearly forty years, conservator, scientist, and engineer Marion Mecklenburg studied the mechanical behavior of art materials, with resulting discoveries that had—and continue to have—a direct impact on the preventive and treatment efforts of collections professionals around the globe. While conservators of fine art have traditionally focused on the chemical deterioration of art materials, Dr. Mecklenburg argued that the physical behavior of those artworks is further understood, predicted, and managed when approached as an engineering problem. Through his own studies—and through the studies of the countless researchers who worked or trained with him—Mecklenburg made mechanical engineering a formative aspect of conservation research.
Dr. Mecklenburg retired from the Smithsonian Institution in 2010 and the organization of decades of his materials, research, and equipment is currently underway at MCI. The planned Mecklenburg Materials Archive will house the paint, wood, and fabric samples prepared and studied by Dr. Mecklenburg, and provide researchers with access to the raw materials (such as custom-made paints) from which those samples were created. The Archive will also include working and study samples of the equipment used over the course of Dr. Mecklenburg’s career (and information to help researchers interested in building similar equipment); a library of notes, books, and publications related to the environmental, lighting, and material mechanics research of Dr. Mecklenburg and his colleagues; and correspondence related to the archived samples, the commercial production of art materials, and the application of engineering principles to the study of material behavior in artwork.
The Project: The creation of the Mecklenburg Materials Archive is a multi-year project that will combine conservation, materials science, and library and archival science principles to create a usable archive of materials and reference data with a cataloguing system appropriate to mixed collections intended for historical study as well as for continued use and analysis. A summer intern is sought to review the research notes, correspondence, publication drafts, and other documentary and library materials related to the Archive and to assist in determining an appropriate inventory and cataloguing protocol for the organization of these materials.
Location and Supervision: MCI is the center for specialized technical collection research and conservation for all Smithsonian museums and collections. MCI combines knowledge of materials and the history of technology with state-of-the-art instrumentation and scientific techniques to provide technical research studies and interpretation of artistic, anthropological, biological, and historical objects. The Mecklenburg Archives intern would be supervised by Dr. Dawn Rogala, MCI Paintings Conservator (primary supervisor) and Mitchell Toda, Assistant Archivist for the Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA). While MCI is the primary internship location, the intern should expect to spend at least one day per week at SIA. Smithsonian shuttle bus service runs hourly between downtown Washington, DC and MCI’s location at Smithsonian facilities in Suitland, Maryland. MCI is also easily reached by car. SIA is located in downtown Washington, DC and is accessible by public transit.
Stipend: A stipend of $6,000 is available for the 10-week internship period. Relocation, housing, and insurance are not included. The internship is intended mainly for the summer of 2015, but start and end dates are flexible.
To Apply: Applications must be made through the Smithsonian’s Online Academic Appointment System (https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html) by February 25, 2015; select the option for the MCI Internship Program. Your application materials should specifically mention Dr. Rogala as supervisor and the Mecklenburg Archive project, and discuss how working on this project matches your interests and would further your studies. Selected candidates will be interviewed by telephone, although MCI visits are welcome.  If you have any questions or want to further discuss this project, Dr. Rogala can be reached at rogalad@si.edu and Mr. Toda can be reached at todam@si.edu.

Be prepared: not just a Boy Scout motto

It’s every museum’s nightmare: an errant spark from construction causes a fire; sprinklers unleash water on some of the most vulnerable objects in the collection.  Luckily this museum had an emergency response plan.  In the Dec. 26, 2014 Wall Street Journal article “After Fire, a Rush to Preserve History,” the conservators at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) faced this all too common nightmare and successfully and quickly responded.  Ironically, the damage occurred in the Hall of Northwest Coast Indians, the recent focus of a multi-year conservation project, described previously on this blog and also presented  at last year’s AIC annual conference.  The conservation department, led by Judith Levinson (pictured in the article), quickly removed the affected objects, catalogued them, and performed triage.  Levinson was also featured in a video by local news channel Pix 11.  This occurrence raises the question: does your museum have a emergency response plan?
 

Job Posting: Senior Conservator – J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles, CA)

POSITION: Sr. Conservator
JOB SUMMARY:
The J. Paul Getty Museum is seeking a Senior Conservator of Antiquities to oversee the Getty Villa’s conservation department, which is responsible for the long-term preservation of one of the largest and finest collections of Greek and Roman antiquities in the United States. The Senior Conservator of Antiquities oversees the safekeeping, proper installation, and conservation of all works in the Getty Villa’s permanent collection. It conducts an active and influential program of treatments and research, including technical and materials analyses, and as a result attracts a broad range of masterworks from around the globe to the Villa’s conservation studios and galleries. The department supports a program of ambitious loan exhibitions through its conservation work and state-of-the-art installation and mount-making procedures. The Senior Conservator represents the institution in the negotiation of joint projects with other institutions and governments while advancing its reputation as a leader on conservation matters internationally. He/she also oversees department staffing, hiring, performance reviews, staff development, and the budget.
The successful candidate will have a Master’s Degree and/or Ph.D. degree, ten years’ experience as an objects conservator, a record of successful treatments and professional publications, and proven ability as a manager. Frequently working in tandem with the curatorial department, he/she will have the reputation and skills to initiate collaborations and build partnerships internationally. The individual will be equipped to consult with other institutions as appropriate on their conservation needs and to conduct negotiations regarding loans and treatments where required. He/she will contribute to researching, developing, and overseeing innovative methodologies for long-term preservation of works of art in support of the Getty’s leadership role among museums and cultural institutions. The Senior Conservator will report to the Associate Director for Collections and work closely and collaboratively with the Senior Curator of Antiquities and with colleagues across the Getty campus.
MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Supervises a conservation department of nine, including five conservators and three mountmakers, nurturing staff development and reviewing performance
  • Provides expert opinion about the condition of proposed acquisitions
  • Oversees the conservation treatment of all works in the Getty’s antiquities collection.
  • Supports a program of international loans of works of art through his/her expertise, reputation, and diplomacy
  • Advises on the presentation of works of art in the Villa’s galleries and for special exhibitions while overseeing and facilitating their safe installation
  • Develops best practices for conservation treatment and the installation of works of art.
  • Works collaboratively with Museum curators, scientists and staff of the Getty Conservation Institute,  colleagues across the two Getty campuses, and internationally to further the programs and mission of the Getty Villa and J. Paul Getty Museum under the auspices of the Getty Trust
  • Administers the department budget

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • MA in conservation or equivalent degree preferred
  • 10+ years experience in conservation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Background in chemistry and physics and knowledge of production methods for 3-dimensional objects in diverse media
  • Background in archaeological field work and its techniques and methods
  • Knowledge of Word, e-mail, Excel, and basic office software
  • Managerial and diplomatic skills
  • Scholarship and publications
  • A record as an effective communicator, networker, and team player, who thrives in the highly collaborative, dynamic environment of a complex organization.

TO APPLY, PLEASE VISIT: https://jobs-getty.icims.com/jobs/2446/conservator-sr/job
 

Job Posting: Safety and Occupational Health Manager – National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC)

Occupational Safety & Health Job Posting National Gallery of Art!

Application Deadline: February 6, 2015

Duties:

The position is located in the Risk Management department of the Office of Protection Services at the National Gallery of Art. The incumbent plans, organizes and implements the Gallery’s safety, health and environmental programs to protect the Gallery’s employees, visitors, collections, and facilities. Develops goals for these programs and researches and develops Gallery policies and procedures. Manages, administers and monitors inspection and monitoring programs to reduce actual and potential hazards. Administers the Gallery’s hazardous materials management program, and manages the MSDS database and monitors the work performed by Gallery contractors in the abatement of hazardous materials. Provides technical guidance and interpretation of standards to Gallery management and staff. Identifies employee and supervisory training needs, formulates training strategies and methodologies. Reviews and evaluates complex construction/renovation plans to identify potential hazards. Surveys these operations, documents issues and recommends corrective action. Administers the Gallery’s hazardous waste management program. Coordinates the management of workers’ compensation claims through the Gallery’s case management contractor

Required Qualifications:

Candidates must meet the Qualification Standards Handbook requirements for GS-018-13. Specialized experience is professional work experience involving the development and enforcement of policies and procedures regarding safety, occupational health and environmental protection. Candidates must reflect in their submitted USAJOBS résumés the possession of this specialized experience. If their résumé does not include such specialized experience, they will be ineligible for this position.

Federal status candidates must also meet the time-in-grade requirements of having been at the GS-12 level for at least 1 year.
Those applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be evaluated against these factors to determine the best-qualified candidates.

  1. Technical knowledge of safety, health and environmental concepts, principles, regulations and exposures and the ability to apply the knowledge to implement risk control techniques as they apply to museum operations including security, maintenance, conservation, construction and other unique high risk exposures.
  2. Program management skills to develop program goals, objectives, and budgets to plan, direct and evaluate safety, health and environmental operations including the ability to formulate policy for a large, complex organization. Skill in inspection techniques, hazard assessment and prioritizing alternate control methods.
  3. Technical knowledge of industrial hygiene techniques to manage exposures to employees, assets and facilities from chemical use and other operations (noise, dust, etc.). Ability to administer technical aspects of contracts with consultants and/or contractors providing complex safety, health and environmental services.
  4. Skill in professional writing and oral communication, including the preparation of operating procedures and the development and presentation of management briefings and employee training programs.
  5. Skill in interpreting complex construction and renovation plans and specifications to identify potentially hazardous conditions and determine sufficiency of occupational health and environmental provisions, as well as the impact on high valued assets (such as art collections)and facilities.
  6. Knowledge of the requirements of EPA and DC regarding storage and disposal of hazardous waste at the Small Quantity Generator level.
  7. Working Knowledge of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act and the operation of Federal Workers’ Compensation programs.

Physical requirements: Incumbent must be able to climb ladders. Must be able to walk several miles over the course of each work day.

The National Gallery of Art provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

General Public Applicants:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/392308600
Federal Competitive Status Applicants:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/392308000

A new tool for looking into the past that leads to fantasies of reading lost works of literature

In the January 21, 2015 issue of The New York Times, Nicholas Wade writes about the use of x-ray computed tomography by researchers at the Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (Naples, Italy) to visualize the letters inside of the lumps of carbonized plant material that were, before the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, papyrus scrolls in the library of the grand villa at Herculaneum (“Unlocking Scrolls Preserved in Eruption of Vesuvius, Using X-Ray Beams”). Although being able to see free floating letters is a far cry from viewing full texts, it is hard not to fantasize about reading lost works and original texts of Latin and Greek literature.

Job Posting: Project Conservator – American Museum of Natural History (NY,NY)

Position Description:
A Project Conservator is sought to fill a 2.4-year position as part of a larger team researching the properties and applicability of dye materials for conservation treatment of faded taxidermy.  The conservator will need to be available to start the project no later than April 5, 2015.
With generous funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), in partnership with Yale University’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH) and Peabody Museum, is conducting a research project that aims to develop best practices for recoloring taxidermy mounts, primarily those displayed in museum habitat dioramas. The research project will investigate the physical and chemical properties of dyes identified as potentially useful for this purpose, and develop treatment protocols and decision-making standards for the use of well-understood, high-quality, affordable materials in the conservation of fur-based specimens and artifacts. It will culminate in the presentation of results to professionals in conservation and the collections care communitythrough a variety of in-person and online avenues, including one or more training workshops and a project website.
Specific responsibilities of the Project Conservator will include:

  • Work with project directors, staff, collaborators, and external advisors in the execution of project research, presentation, interpretation, and dissemination of results.
  • Support the development of methods of inquiry into project research questions
  • Assist with equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting
  • Assist with sample preparation, analyses, data collection and interpretation at AMNH and Yale ICPH
  • Develop curricula for training workshop(s) on the care and conservation of taxidermy, and gather/produce necessary support materials
  • Contribute to the presentation of findings through blogs, publications, conference presentations and/or posters, on-line training modules, etc.
  • Work with project team to create content for project blog and website
  • Investigate the potential of additional modes of dissemination targeting appropriate audiences

Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have an M.A/M.S in Conservation or equivalent. S/he must be able to pursue multiple research activities and project goals simultaneously. Proficiency in the issues of taxidermy conservation and two years of related experience in either a museum conservation lab or equivalent is necessary.  The applicant should have strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to manage and organize large amounts of data; a capacity for meticulous care in the preparation and handling of sample materials; competence in both Mac and PC computer platforms, Adobe CreativeSuite software, and basic use of a digital SLR camera.
Application Process:
Please apply directly to the AMNH careerswebpage:  careers.amnh.org/
Completed application must be received no later than Monday, February 23rd, 2015.
The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Some astounding numbers

The January/February issue of the Library of Congress Magazine is devoted to “The Science of Preservation” and contains short articles written for the non-specialist on such topics as the use of hyperspectral imaging to study Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, the lifespan of digital media, and mass deacidification of paper based items. While all of these articles will be edifying for the publication’s wide audience (it is distributed free of charge to publicly supported libraries and research institutions, academic libraries, and learned societies in the U.S.), the page with the greatest impact may well be “Preservation by the Numbers” which lists the numbers of items from the Library’s collection that are treated in a year. A few of the astounding numbers: 1,098,488 volumes and sheets deacidified, 162,462 items bound, and 37,725 photographs rehoused.

Job Posting: Conservator, Department of Asian Art – The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY, NY)

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

Conservator/ Asian Art Department

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s finest museums, seeks a Conservator in the Department of Asian Art.  The newly appointed conservator for Japanese painting will work closely with other conservators at the Met, especially in the Department of Asian Art, for the care and conservation of the entire collection of Japanese paintings, prints, and related works of art. The conservator will coordinate with curatorial staff, conservators, and scientists to ensure that all works of art are stored and displayed in the appropriate environment with respect to climate, lighting, and other relevant factors. In addition, the conservator will have responsibility for performing condition examination to determine if works are insufficiently stable condition for movement, either within the museum or for loan to other institutions.
Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

  • Conservation of the collection of Japanese art in the Department of Asian Art in consultation with the curator of Japanese art and the Department Chair
  • Works with Collections Management and other curatorial staff to advance the care and conservation methods, storage and exhibition methods, and the proper care and handling of paintings.
  • Collaboration with other conservators in the Department of Asian Art as well as other conservators on projects as needed
  • For special projects, collaboration with conservators in Japan affiliated with the Association for Conservation of National Treasures (ACNT: Kokuho Shore Sokoshi Renmei)
  • Condition examination for gallery rotations, as well as incoming and outgoing loans
  • Monitoring of gallery conditions
  • Generation of conservation reports and condition reports for the collection
  • Assists with the training of interns and fellows in Japanese painting conservation methods
  • Other related duties

Requirements and Qualifications:
Experience and Skills:

  • Required, the ability to independently or as part of a team remount all formats of Japanese paintings including but not limited to screens, hanging scrolls, handscrolls and albums
  • Required, experience conserving designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties, or non-designated works of equivalent caliber
  • Preferred, experience training in a conservation studio in Japan

Knowledge and Education:

  • Required, a minimum of ten years of training in Japanese painting conservation
  • Required, ability to communicate in Japanese at a native or near native level
  • Required, ability to communicate in spoken English at least a basic level
  • Preferred, graduate level degree or equivalent in conservation studies
  • Preferred, graduate level degree or equivalent in Japanese art history

Please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to careers@metmuseum.org with “Conservator/Asian Art Department” in the subject line.

 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Call For Nominations: 2015 Spotlight Award (The Society of American Archivists)

The Society of American Archivists Spotlight Award Subcommittee invites nominations for the 2015 Spotlight Award.
This award “recognizes the contributions of individuals who work for the good of the archives profession and of archival collections, and whose work would not typically receive public recognition.”  Nominees do not have to be members of SAA.  Please share this message as you think appropriate.  I hope you will consider recognizing a colleague (or yourself!) in this way.  Additional information about the criteria and process is found below.
Purpose and Criteria for Selection:
Established in 2005, the Spotlight Award recognizes the contributions of individuals who work for the good of the archives profession and of archival collections, and whose work would not typically receive public recognition. The nominee(s) should have achieved distinction in one or more of the following ways:
*   Participating in special projects.
*   Exhibiting tireless committee or advocacy work.
*   Responding effectively to an unforeseen or pressing need or emergency.
*   Contributing innovative or creative ideas to the profession.
*   Performing extraordinary volunteerism.
*   Quietly but effectively promoting the profession.
Eligibility:  Awarded to an individual archivist or a group of up to five archivists who have collaborated on a project. Preference is given to archivists working in smaller repositories, especially those without institutional support for professional activities.
Nomination Requirements:  A completed nomination form, downloadable at http://www2.archivists.org/sites/all/files/Spotlight-Award-Form.rtf.
Sponsor and Funding:  The Society of American Archivists Foundation.
Prize:  A certificate and complimentary registration (for up to five individuals) to the SAA Annual Meeting occurring in the year in which the award is presented.
Submission Deadline and Nomination Form:  Deadline: February 28, 2015.  Please complete the nomination form (http://www2.archivists.org/sites/all/files/ Spotlight -Award-Form.rtf) and email it along with any applicable supporting documentation to awards@archivists.org with the subject line “Spotlight Award.”  Attachments should not exceed 5MB.
Alternately, nominations may be mailed.  Materials must be postmarked by February 28, 2015, and should be sent to:

Spotlight Award Committee

Society of American Archivists

17 North State Street, Suite 1425

Chicago, IL 60602-4061

 
Please visit http://www2.archivists.org/recognition for a list and explanation of all of the awards offered by SAA.
The above information and a list of past recipients is available  at http://www2.archivists.org/governance/handbook/section12-spotlight.
 
 

Changes Afoot: Connecting to Collections Becoming Connecting to Collections Care

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JOIN US, Thursday,  January 29, 1 – 2:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time

As of January 1, the management of the Connecting to Collections online community passed from Heritage Preservation to the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC). The features that you, the collections community, have enjoyed over the years – online forums, links to vital resources, and a free series of webinars – will continue. FAIC welcomes your thoughts on how Connecting to Collections can continue to serve your needs in the coming years.
This highly interactive, free webinar will introduce you to some changes that will be coming, give you the opportunity to meet us, and will offer you the opportunity to provide guidance on what webinar topics might be of most use, how the forums can be even more responsive to your needs, and what additional resources you might like to see.
Why Participate?
This is your first opportunity to meet the new team and to let us know what you have liked and found especially valuable about Connecting to Collections and to let us know how you would like to see this program grow. We welcome your feedback and want your ideas on how best to serve this community in the future.
Presenters include:
Eryl Wentworth, FAIC and AIC Executive Director
Eric Pourchot, FAIC Institutional Advancement Director
M. Susan Barger, FAIC C2C Coordinator
To register, please go to:
http://www.connectingtocollections.org/changes-afoot-connecting-to-collections-becoming-connecting-to-collections-care/