Conservator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture – Philadelphia Museum of Art
Listing Start Date: April 16, 2025Expires: June 16, 2025n
Obtain more information and apply on the museum’s job page.
How You Will Contribute
The Conservator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture will perform conservation examinations and treatments on the museum’s collection of sculpture, decorative arts, installation art, outdoor sculpture, architecture, and other collections in a wide range of materials including ceramics, glass, metal, stone, wood, polychrome wood, plastics, leather, lacquer, other organic materials, and composites. The museum has major holdings of American, European, South Asian, and East Asian works of art, including Contemporary Art, Design, time-based media, and outdoor sculpture, and with expanding collections of African and African Diasporic Art.
The Conservator will work independently and collaboratively to conduct research to further understanding of materials and techniques used by artists, manufacturers, and fabricators. They will serve as an integral member of the museum’s conservation staff and assume leadership in activities relating to exhibitions, installations, loans, preventive care of the permanent collections and building, and professional and public engagement.
The Conservator establishes long-term goals and strategic planning for the conservation gallery maintenance program, overseeing the Supervisor of Conservation Gallery Maintenance and a team of part-time gallery maintenance technicians who carry out routine collection maintenance in galleries on weekly or established periods as required.
Specifically, you will:
- Examine, conduct research, and perform conservation treatment on a range of artworks that fall into the broad category of objects conservation, which includes ceramics, glass, metal, stone, wood, polychrome wood, plastics, lacquer, leather, other organic materials, composite objects, architectural materials, and installation art.
- Evaluate and document the condition of works requested for loan, exhibition, or acquisition consideration.
- Advise on housing, installation, storage, mount-making, handling, packing, and transport of works of art.
- Collaborate with conservation scientists in chemical and instrumental analysis and characterization of materials of works of art.
- Carry out analysis and evaluation of artworks using techniques such as x-radiography and visible, fluorescence, and polarized light microscopies.
- Work collaboratively across departments for exhibition planning, emergency planning, building care and maintenance, and capital projects.
- Mentor and train conservation junior staff, post-graduate fellows, interns, and technicians.
- Lead and participate in ongoing preservation activities to contribute to the preventive care of museum collections, including environmental monitoring, pest mitigation, storage planning, and materials testing.
- Establishes long-term goals and strategic planning for Conservation Gallery Maintenance. Supervise and provide guidance for Supervisor of Conservation Gallery Maintenance and associated team of Conservation Gallery Maintenance technicians. Establish priorities, advocate for and help coordinate resources and budget development. Lead hiring and personnel considerations for team.
- Participate as a member of the Conservation Division in a range of institutional initiatives and functions, as well as in professional and public engagement. These may include museum committees, staff presentations, and teaching and conferences.
- Assist in the administration of the Decorative Arts and Sculpture Conservation Department including development of budget, annual report of highlights, fund-raising, grant-writing, record keeping, and maintenance of chemical inventory and safety protocols.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Your background and experience include:
- Graduate degree from a recognized Art Conservation training program, or equivalent training, with a specialization in objects conservation.
- Significant experience in objects conservation at an advanced level of responsibility in a museum/collection setting.
- Proven ability to plan and execute a variety of complex conservation treatments, and experience with a wide range of collections.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and liaise and communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a team, prioritize projects with multiple stake holders, and understand and interpret the role of Conservation Gallery Maintenance in a large museum.
- Demonstrated visual, manual, and scholarly aptitudes. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.