Internship: Summer Internships in Ethnographic Artifact and Textile Conservation – Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (Suitland, MD, USA)

Dates of internship: June 5, 2017 – August 11, 2017
The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is offering up to two 10-week internships in ethnographic artifact and textile conservation funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.  The Conservation Laboratory at NMAI’s Cultural Resource Center in Suitland, MD (Metro DC area) is the work site.
Andrew W. Mellon internships focus primarily on the survey and treatment of artifacts for exhibits at NMAI’s facilities in Washington, D.C., and New York City, loans and other ongoing projects.  Candidates who demonstrate a career interest in the conservation of material culture of indigenous peoples of North, South and Central American will be especially welcome to apply. Candidates must be fluent in both spoken and written English. The internships are designed for students currently in or graduated from a graduate program in conservation or practicing conservation professionals. The internships are intended to cultivate practical skills as well as to foster a solid understanding of the contexts of material culture, the philosophies of conservation at NMAI, and the ethics of the conservation profession. Museum programming involves collaboration with Native Peoples in the development of appropriate methods of care for, and interpretation of their cultural materials.
Applications must be completed by midnight, February 1, 2017 (including reference letters).  All applicants will be notified by April 15, 2017.
Application process is via Smithsonian On-Line Academic Appointment system (SOLAA).  For information on application and link to SOLAA visit: nmai.si.edu/explore/collections/conservation/training/#andrew

The 10-week internship includes a stipend.

Recap: ECPN's Digital Tips and Tools for Conservators

Back in June we posted a series of tips to the ECPN Facebook page. Now that school is back in full swing we thought we’d post a reminder. We hope you enjoyed this collection of digital resources! Feel free to contribute your own tips in the comments below.
1: Zotero Bibliography management tool (https://www.zotero.org/)
Zotero allows you to make bibliographies easily and keep track of abstracts (it pulls them directly from some sources) or your own notes. It also helps you to keep track of artworks from museum collections, and you can keep all the relevant information (catalog information, dimensions, conservation history notes) in one place. Zotero is free and if you install it as a plug-in to your preferred internet browser you just click and –ta da!– it magically saves all the bibliographic information for you. You can share collected references and notes with other Zotero users through groups as well.
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Image 1: Desktop Zotero application.
 
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Image 2: Saving an artwork from a museum’s online catalogue using Zotero on an internet browser (Firefox or Chrome).
 
2: Compound Interest has lots of infographics (http://www.compoundchem.com/infographics/) which are great references for chemistry topics. The site has lots of good information on analytical techniques as well as fun chemistry facts and a weekly roundup of chemistry news. Print materials out for your lab!
Some examples of particular interest to conservators:

 
3: With Inkpad Pro or other vector drawing apps, you can make diagrams for condition mapping, mounts, and packing. These apps are generally far less expensive than the PC-based programs they emulate, like Illustrator or Photoshop, and range from free to a few dollars. You can use a stylus on your iPad to trace from photographs and annotate. There are lots of color, line weight, and arrow options, and it’s easy to do overlays. Since the iPad is also smaller and more portable, you can do your condition mapping in the gallery or during installations as well. You can export your final drawings as PDFs and share them through Dropbox or email.
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Images 3-6: Creating a vector drawing and condition map from a photograph using the iPad app InkPad Pro.
 
4: Podcasts
We’d like to highlight one of our favorite podcasts, “Chemistry in its Element” by the Royal Society of Chemistry. There are short episodes about all sorts of interesting chemical compounds. Of particular interest to conservators are podcasts on mauveine, carminic acid, citric acid, calcium hydroxide, goethite, vermillion, and PVC, for example. Episodes are about 5 minutes long each.
(link: https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts)
 
5: RSS feeds for Cultural Heritage Blogs
Using an RSS feed can help you keep tabs on conservation news reported on blogs. We recommend Old Reader, a free replacement for Google Reader (https://theoldreader.com/), to keep track of the many conservation blogs. AIC has a blogroll list that can help you find conservation blogs: look to the right sidebar here on Conservators Converse.
There are too many great blogs to name, but one favorite is the Penn Museum’s “In the Artifact Lab” (http://www.penn.museum/sites/artifactlab/), which is frequently updated with great photos and stories about conservation treatments underway. Another one you might like is Things Organized Neatly (http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/)– not strictly speaking a conservation blog, but definitely has some appeal for conservators!
 
Feel free to add your favorites tips and tools below in the comments!
 
All images courtesy of Jessica Walthew, Professional Education & Training Officer, Emerging Conservation Professionals Network (ECPN).

Internship: Getty Graduate Internships (Los Angeles/Malibu, CA, USA)

Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on December 1, 2016.
Applications for the 2017/2018 internship period are now available.
Getty Graduate Internships are offered in the four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust—the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Research Institute, the Getty Conservation Institute, and the Getty Foundation, as well as in Getty Publications—to students who intend to pursue careers in fields related to the visual arts. Training and work experience placements are available in areas such as curatorial, education, conservation, research, publications, information management, public programs, and grant making.
To find out more and apply online, visit: www.getty.edu/foundation/initiatives/current/gradinterns/index.html

Fellowship: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Science – The Getty Conservation Institute (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Deadline: November 15, 2016.
The Getty Conservation Institute’s (GCI) postdoctoral fellowship is a two-year program designed to provide recent PhDs in chemistry and the physical sciences with experience in conservation science. The 2017-2019 Postdoctoral Fellow will be an integral part of the GCI Science’s Technical Studies research area, and as such will work closely with conservation and curatorial colleagues from across the Getty, gaining experience in cultural heritage research as conducted within a museum environment – http://www.getty.edu/conservation/about/science/index.html.
Applicants should have a recent (2010 or later) PhD in a relevant field, including but not limited to, computer/imaging science, analytical/physical chemistry, optical/electrical engineering or materials science. Experimental research experience and strong instrumental analysis skills are also desirable. Demonstrable aptitude for self-directed learning and for working across academic disciplines is critical, as are excellent written and verbal communication skills. Candidates should have an interest in the visual arts and a serious interest in pursuing a career in conservation science within the museum environment.
The fellowship runs from September 2017 to August 2019. In addition to an annual stipend, the fellow will be provided an annual study trip allowance and generous benefits including travel to, and housing in, Los Angeles and full health benefits.
How to Apply
A completed online application (which includes uploading a Statement of Interest; Doctoral Dissertation Plan or Abstract; Curriculum Vitae; Writing Sample; and Confirmation of Degree) must be received by the deadline. Two Confidential Letters of Recommendation must be sent separately from your recommenders to GCIPostDoc@Getty.edu.
Interested candidates should apply through the Getty’s Job Opportunities webpage: https://jobs-getty.icims.com/jobs/2835/gci-postdoctoral-fellow/job

Fellowship: Conservation Guest Scholars – The Getty Conservation Institute (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Deadline: November 1, 2016.
Application period for 2017–2018 scholar residencies is now open. Apply via The Getty Foundation.
The Getty Conservation Institute’s guest scholar program supports new ideas and perspectives in the field of conservation, with an emphasis on the visual arts (including sites, buildings, and objects) and the theoretical underpinnings of the field. The program provides an opportunity for senior professionals to contribute to the field of conservation by pursuing their research in a focused and interdisciplinary manner at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
To find out more and apply online, please visit: www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/education/scholars/index.html

Health and Safety Survey on Portable Fume Extractors

Conservators frequently rely on filter-based particle and fume extractors to remove or reduce airborne contaminants in their work spaces.  Health and safety professionals often warn about the hazards of using these extractors and even discourage their use for a variety of reasons. However, the Health & Safety Committee recognizes that they may be the only options for conservators working in temporary work sites, studios that are situated inside homes or rented spaces, rooms without windows, or where the building structure cannot be altered. Therefore, the Committee is currently working on a guide to help conservators research, purchase, and safely use portable extractors based on experiences of both conservators and health and safety professionals.

If you have purchased a fume and/or particle extractor, we’d like your feedback on how you rate your particular model and your experiences using an extractor in general. The purpose of the resulting guide is not necessarily to recommend any specific model, but to identify particular features and concerns that will assist conservators in purchasing the correct product for their work and how to use extractors properly.

To contribute to the guide, please complete the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5GWBS6P

Job Posting: Exhibits Conservator at US National Archives (Washington, DC)

The US National Archives is seeking an Exhibits Conservator (GS-13) to serve as the technical expert in the preservation requirements for the exhibition of its archival materials. The Exhibits Conservator will coordinate National Archives exhibits conservation activities, examine and treat National Archives collections, conduct training and make recommendations for exhibit policies, guidance, programs and procedures. The position will be based in Washington, DC. Salary range: $92,145 to $119,794 per year.
Applications are due by 11/7/16. For additional information and specific application information see: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/449339600/ for US citizens (Job Announcement JD1791936TBD) and https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/449160700/ for status candidates (Job Announcement JD1790288TBMP).
Doris A. Hamburg
Director, Preservation Programs (RX)
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
8601 Adelphi Road College Park, MD 20740
doris.hamburg@nara.gov tel 301-837-1785 cell 240-338-9121
www.archives.gov/preservation

Job Posting: Digitization Conservator at US National Archives (College Park, MD)

Job Opening: Digitization Conservator (Digitization) GS-13 at US National Archives
The US National Archives is seeking a Digitization Conservator (GS-13) to serve as the technical expert in the preservation requirements for the digitization of its archival materials. The Digitization Conservator will coordinate National Archives digitization conservation activities, examine and treat National Archives collections, conduct training and make recommendations for digitization policies, guidance, programs and procedures.  The position will be based in College Park, MD. Salary range: $92,145 to $119,794 per year.
Applications are due by 11/7/16.  For additional information and specific application information see: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/448491500/  for US citizens (Job Announcement JD1784356TBD) and https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/448380100/ for status candidates (Job Announcement  JD1783183TBMP).

C2CC Webinar 10/20/16: Caring for Archives: Fundamentals for Everyone

Join us next week for a Connecting to Collections Care webinar, Caring for Archives: Fundamentals for Everyone, with Fletcher Durant. Thursday, October 20, 2016, 2:00 – 3:30 EDT. It’s free!
Does your institution have an archive? Is it maintained for research, exhibitions, or just the records and papers that mark the history of your institution? How do you care for your archives? Or, don’t you? Whether your archives are carefully curated or simply grew over the years, what is the best approach to preserving those important materials and how does their preservation differ from other collections that you have under your care?
This webinar will cover the basics of archives preservation within a framework of risk management. Some issues discussed will be familiar to other areas of collection care, while others will speak to the particularities of archival collections. Topics will include: storage environments, housings, care and handling, collection surveys, security, integrated pest management, disaster planning, and digital preservation.
http://www.connectingtocollections.org/caring-for-archives/

ECPN Fall Webinar Announcement – Emerging Leaders in Conservation: Developing Leadership Skills as an Early-Career Professional

The Emerging Conservation Professionals Network (ECPN) is pleased to introduce our next webinar, “Emerging Leaders in Conservation: Developing Leadership Skills as an Early-Career Professional,” which will take place on Thursday, October 27th from 12-1 pm (EST).
We are delighted to welcome three guest speakers to explore this topic. Our presenters have varied backgrounds and represent different career stages, but each has displayed great leadership aptitude: International Institute for Conservation (IIC) President Sarah Staniforth, who recently co-taught the workshop at the Winterthur Museum, “Learning to Lead: Training for Heritage Preservation Professionals,” in April 2016; Paper Conservator Michelle Facini from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, a Fellow of AIC who has formerly chaired the Book and Paper Specialty Group; and Molly Gleeson, a Project Conservator in Objects Conservation at the Penn Museum, Professional Associate of AIC, and former chair of ECPN.
The presenters will briefly introduce theoretical information pertaining to leadership styles, discuss why it can be important to cultivate leadership skills, and consider what it means to be a leader at any stage of your profession. The speakers will also draw from their experiences to discuss specific instances in their careers that have required leadership skills. Finally, we will be discussing strategies for early-career professionals to cultivate leadership skills and provide information on additional resources for individuals who would like to learn more.
Attendance is free and open to all AIC members. To register to watch the webinar, please visit our registration website. If you are unable to view the program on October 27th, or are not a member of AIC, the full video will be recorded and uploaded onto the AIC YouTube Channel.
We would like to hear from you with any questions up until the morning of the webinar. Please feel free to email ecpn.aic.webinar@gmail.com or submit questions as comments to this post. These questions will either be answered during a Q&A session or follow-up blog post or session.
Please read on to learn more about the speakers:
SARAH STANIFORTH was elected President of the International Institute for Conservation (IIC) in January 2013. Sarah is a Fellow of IIC, the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Society of Arts. From January 2011 – June 2014, Sarah was Museums and Collections Director at the National Trust. She was Historic Properties Director from 2005-2010 and Head Conservator from 2002-2004, and she joined the National Trust in 1985 as Adviser on Paintings Conservation and Environmental Control.  Sarah studied easel paintings conservation at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She has also written and lectured extensively on preventive conservation for collections in museums and historic houses; some of this work is recorded in the National Trust Manual of Housekeeping and Historical Perspectives on Preventive Conservation. Sarah was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year’s Honours 2015.
MICHELLE FACINI is an American Institute of Conservation Fellow, the former Chair of the Book and Paper Specialty Group, and a paper conservator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She has a forthcoming publication describing Degas pastels on tracing paper and has presented research in the past on the preservation of oversized artworks and the materials and techniques in illuminated manuscripts. Michelle regularly collaborates with curators and conservation scientists, as well as conservation colleagues, globally. She received her Masters of Science in art conservation from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program and has worked at the National Archives and Records Administration. She participated in fellowships and internships with the British Museum, the California Palace of the Legion of Honor and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
MOLLY GLEESON is the Schwartz Project Conservator at the Penn Museum. Since 2012, Molly has worked in the museum’s open conservation lab, “In the Artifact Lab: Conserving Egyptian Mummies.” She has worked as conservator for the University of Pennsylvania’s excavations in South Abydos, Egypt since 2015. Prior to joining the Penn Museum Conservation Department, she worked on contract in Southern California and as a Research Associate on the UCLA and Getty Conservation Institute feather research project. She completed her M.A. in 2008 at the UCLA/Getty Master’s Program in the Conservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Materials. She is an American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Professional Associate and is a co-chair of AIC’s Archaeological Discussion Group (ADG).