Temporary (1 year) internship or assistant paintings conservator position in Chicago
Listing Start Date: May 15, 2025Expires: July 15, 2025n
Reanda Art Conservation is looking for a temporary assistant conservator or pre-program intern (up to one year term, with possibility of extension).
Who We Are
Reanda Art Conservation, LLC (RAC) is a trusted painting conservation business in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago (www.savingtheart.com). RAC is owned and led by paintings conservator Daniela Leonard who trained in Italy, England and the Netherlands, and spent seven years working as a fellow and assistant conservator in museums in the Midwest. She founded RAC in 2018 with the intention of providing high-quality conservation treatments and condition assessments of paintings, as well as consultation for storage, display, and transport.
Our clients include institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Milwaukee Art Museum, as well as local foundations and private collectors. This is a small, but growing business with a vision of becoming a regional center for art conservation in the Midwest that promotes cultural heritage work worldwide. We are looking for candidates who are not only interested in gaining experience in private practice, but who can play an active role in shaping and improving the business.
Job Description
Assist staff with conservation treatments and documentation in the studio and off site. There will be some flexibility in selecting projects based on skill and interest, including surface cleaning, varnish removal, consolidation and structural work. We are currently working on a large number of 17th and 18th century Peruvian paintings, but regularly undertake treatments on modern and contemporary artworks.
The selected candidate will also perform backend work that may include researching artist and conservation materials and methods, creating mock-ups, preparing conservation materials, and organizing files and supplies.
Skills and Experience We Are Seeking
Please consider applying even if you do not have all of the experience we are looking for. Resumes will be kept on file.
- Experience performing conservation treatments (preferably on paintings), including surface cleaning, varnish removal, filling, inpainting, varnishing, and structural repairs.
- Attention to detail, manual dexterity and patience.
- Ability to listen and follow directions, and to express ideas/questions clearly and directly.
- Experience with examining artworks to identify condition issues.
- Ability to perform research and write coherent reports.
- Experience working in private conservation practice or for a small business.
Expectations
This is a friendly and casual work environment, but we perform high quality work for trusted clients and require professionalism in the services we provide. We expect:
- Overall mindfulness and respect of our staff, studio, and equipment.
- Enthusiasm about conservation and the work we are performing.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
- Ability to follow instructions, but with a willingness to share experiences, opinions or concerns, and to ask questions (we are not looking for rote compliance or rogue independence).
- Awareness of time on task.
- Conscientiousness of client and studio confidentiality.
Most of all, you will be assessed by your level of engagement and whether you show up consistently and put in effort to perform your best work.
What we offer
The RAC studio is located in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, full of restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and boutique businesses off of the Brown Line L-train and a number of bus lines.
Regular studio hours are 9am-5pm with one hour lunch (not paid) and two 15 minute breaks (paid). We use Teamwork to track progress on projects and to track hours. There is some flexibility for performing research and written work remotely. Agreeing to a part-time schedule may also be possible.
The pay rate depends on experience: $16.20/hr for pre-program, $20/hr for recent graduate.
Commuting expenses on public transportation are reimbursed. PTO is accrued by hours worked, but there is flexibility in taking time off (pre-program interns do not receive PTO). We are not able to provide paid holidays or health insurance at this time. This is a temporary employment position that is covered by workers compensation insurance.
There is occasionally a friendly dog in the office. Please consider this before applying.
How To Apply
Please send a CV with at least 2 references, a cover letter that includes information about what you hope to gain by working at Reanda Art Conservation, and an idea of your availability to help@savingtheart.com. This position will remain open until filled.
This position is only open to those who are already able to work legally in the United States. We do not have the ability to secure student or work visas.