Associate/Full Conservator of Textiles

Job Details

Description

The Cleveland Museum of Art welcomes applications for a full-time Conservator of Textiles, at either the associate conservator or full conservator level. The Conservator of Textiles is responsible for the conservation and preservation of the museum’s textile and fashion collection, in accordance with the American Institute for Conservation’s Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. This includes the examination, documentation, and treatment of artworks containing textiles for acquisition, storage, exhibition, and loans. They are responsible for determining if treatment is required, making treatment recommendations, and carrying out and/or supervising conservation treatments and preparations for mounting and display. They lead all activities in the textile lab including administrative duties such as ensuring safety compliance, budgeting, supply and equipment ordering, management of staff, and organization. They co-supervise the Technician for Textiles and Works of Art on Paper, in partnership with the Conservator of Works of Art on Paper. The Conservator of Textiles leads individual treatment and research initiatives and contributes to collaborative efforts led by the Chief Conservator and other senior staff that further conservation and art historical research at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Notably, the successful candidate will assume management of the textile conservation program at an exciting time for the museum, which has just launched a strategic fashion exhibition and collecting initiative and is embarking on a strategic fundraising effort.

The successful candidate will join a convivial, generous, and skilled conservation department consisting of ten conservators, three technicians, and a lab coordinator, along with numerous interns (pre-program to graduate) and fellows. The Conservation team is committed to the mentorship and support of emerging conservators, and regularly hosts pre-program conservation interns, graduate interns, and post-graduate fellows with the support of substantial endowment funds; the textile lab itself has dedicated internship funds. The department also has access to the significant resources of the Cleveland Museum of Art, including a dedicated conservation technical imaging specialist and an outstanding library and archives, which is one of the largest in the nation, prioritizes collecting conservation literature, and assigns a research librarian to assist with conservation-specific queries. The department partners regularly with Philanthropy and has achieved remarkable fundraising success regarding strategic endowments within the past five years.

The internationally renowned textile collection contains about 4,500 textiles from 62 countries that were made over four millennia, from 2000 BCE to the present. The general emphasis is on masterpiece quality rather than comprehensive collections, with the greatest strengths dating from before 1500. The most distinguished areas include textiles from Islamic lands (Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Spain, and Turkey), medieval China, Central Asia, and Italy as well as early lace and Peruvian South Coast textiles. In addition, contemporary fiber art, African art, and fashion are becoming increasingly important. The museum’s leadership recently approved the beginning of an acquisition program for fashion.

The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 objects and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. A major renovation and expansion project completed in 2014 has transformed the museum into a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, performing arts and art education. One of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation and free of charge to all, the Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the University Circle neighborhood. The city and surrounding areas contain excellent cultural institutions, outdoor parks, and schools. Cleveland has a robust art and culture scene, including one of the world’s finest symphonies. Local resources and collaborators include Case Western Reserve University with its innovative maker space, think[box], the Cleveland Clinic, Praxis Fiber Workshop, and ICA-Art Conservation, which is the nation’s oldest regional lab.

For more information on the department please visit https://www.clevelandart.org/conservation

For more information on the museum’s strategic plan, please visit https://www.clevelandart.org/for-the-benefit-of-all-the-people-forever

Requirements And Key Competencies

Bachelor’s degree and completion of a graduate-level course of study in Conservation, or equivalent combination of education and training. The position requires at least four years of post-fellowship experience in conservation. The Conservator must have broad knowledge of museum practices and collections management, a familiarity with the types and materials represented in the museum’s collection of art under their purview, and a strong record of achievement in the field. They should have a demonstrated ability to work independently as well as successfully with others (Museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies) to achieve institutional objectives and fulfill the mission of the museum. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, as is an ability to work with databases, word processing, networking systems, and other computing, diagnostic, and imaging tools that the conservation staff is expected to use on a regular basis. The candidate ideally will have experience managing employees and/or interns.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made. Manual dexterity is frequently required as duties call for the handling of artwork, and operation of tools and equipment. Job duties may entail standing, walking, sitting, occasional climbing, bending, and kneeling. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close, color, and peripheral vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or chemicals and appropriate PPE, training, and safety equipment are provided. Occasional work outside or in satellite locations may be required.

General Responsibilities

• Communicates regularly with Chief Conservator to ensure workflow is manageable and on track and that the highest museum standards are being realized in the care of the collections.
• Examines artworks, assesses condition, prepares examination reports, arranges for photographic documentation, and proposes and performs treatment for works of art in the collection. Prepares examination reports to provide descriptions of media; assessment of artist’s techniques; assessment of condition problems; requirements for handling, storage, exhibition, and travel as well as recommendations for treatment. As necessary, proposes and carries out additional analysis to identify materials and techniques of fabrication used in works of art already in the collection and for works being considered for acquisition. A variety of analyses and tests may be performed to determine media identification, age, structure, and stability, and to help determine the outcome of various treatment options.
• Carries out treatments and mounting to stabilize and conserve, as possible, the physical and/or visual integrity of the work of art. Supervises other treatments carried out in the lab. Must be familiar with advanced conservation treatment strategies, techniques, and materials. Collaborates with mount makers and production on the design and fabrication of mounts for textile objects as needed for display and loan.
• Manages, leads, budgets, and assists in fundraising for multi-year, large-scale conservation analysis and treatment projects, accomplishing all targeted goals, and coming in on or under budget.
• Schedules and manages the work priorities set forth by Chief Conservator and other senior staff.
• Maintains awareness of new developments in equipment and tools and consults with Department head before the purchase of lab supplies and equipment. Keeps lab organized and clean, with all hazardous materials properly labeled and stored. Ensures that all objects are returned to storage promptly once work is completed.
• Mentors and supervises interns, fellows, and junior conservation staff, including technicians, and takes an active part of the hiring and selection process for junior staff and intern/fellows in their lab.
• Evaluates the media and conditions of all potential acquisitions of artworks and prepares a thorough written report documenting findings. For new acquisitions, provides recommendations for future mounts, housing, storage, handling, display, and travel. Confirms authenticity as requested and possible. Works closely with Curators in these evaluations.
• Examines artworks to determine if they can be loaned safely to outside institutions; examines works of art upon their return to the museum. Advises Curators, Conservation Technicians, Registrars/Art Handlers, and Packer on loan requirements, including travel and display recommendations, which are relayed to the borrowing institution. As necessary, confers with Chief Conservator and Preventive Conservator about special requirements, and colleagues from borrowing institutions, to ensure CMA guidelines for loans can be met. Examines loan objects not belonging to the museum and documents their condition accordingly.
• Acts as a physical and/or virtual courier for works of art from the collection to outside institutions as approved by the Chief Conservator and as regular work schedule allows. Travels to assess the condition of possible museum acquisitions.
• Advises Curators and other museum personnel on the maintenance of a proper environment for the optimum preservation of artworks, museum wide. Includes ensuring environmental conditions are monitored in museum galleries and storage areas and preparing artworks for storage. Makes recommendations for the safe display of a vast and varied collection of materials including recommendations for light levels, temperature, relative humidity, and handling precautions. When problems are found, investigates the best course of action to correct the problem. Participates in updating art handling guidelines and teaching proper handling of artworks to other museum employees who handle artwork.
• Conducts research relevant to the field of conservation, with a focus on the CMA collection and exhibitions including artworks relevant to the Conservator’s specialty. As appropriate and as possible, shares results and/or presents information in lectures or in publications, which may include e-publications and content for social media and the internet.
• As budget allows, pursues professional development opportunities by attending conservation workshops and meetings on an annual basis.
• Assists with work in museum galleries, including the installation of artworks, special exhibitions, and the handling of emergencies or other situations as needed, including possibly during evenings and/or weekends.
• Participates in exhibition preparations as needed. Includes attending planning meetings and contributing to public and fundraising events.
• Educates the public on the field of conservation and carries out other outreach efforts. Conducts classes and tours and gives lectures as required. Most notably, works with Case Western Reserve Faculty (CWRU) faculty to augment their course curriculum in art history and museum studies through on-site visits and practical sessions in the conservation labs. Participates in the Joint Program in Art History with CWRU, particularly in the Physical Examination of Works of Art course in which numerous visits to the conservation labs take place. Teaches classes for CMA’s Public and Academic Engagement programs.
• Leads and/or participates in special projects for Chief Conservator and senior staff.
• Participates in fundraising activities as requested by Chief Conservator and senior staff.
• Enters all findings and written documentation in museum’s proprietary database, deploying strategic content to the museum’s public website and DAMS as appropriate. Ensures the photographic documentation related to the conservation of artworks is properly labeled and stored. Ensures all artworks located in lab are tracked and have locations in museum database. Maintains inventory in Athena for 200 textile mounts and stores those mounts. Creates conservation content relating to textile collection for collections online platform on website, including writing conservation statements, uploading conservation images, and writing brief captions for each uploaded image.
• Assists in the maintenance and use of analytical equipment. As possible, participates in training related to the use and maintenance of this equipment.
• Answers questions and advises museum associates and private collectors on conservation and preservation questions when requested by the Curators, Chief Conservator, and Registrar, and assists other outside callers as needed.
• Demonstrates commitment to the leadership and organizational values as articulated in the museum’s strategic plan
  
  

Specialized Responsibilities Related To CMA’s Fashion Initiative

• Sources, orders, maintains textile and fashion mount stock (including mannequins and dress forms) in consultation with Design/Production and Curatorial.
• Mounts garments in period- and conservation-appropriate methods for display and photography, including participating in the museum’s photogrammetry initiative.
• In collaboration with Collections Management and Exhibition teams, assists in the management of the installation of fashion exhibitions and ensures aesthetic and preservation quality of mounting by managing/assisting contractors.
• Working with Collections Management, co-develops methods for storing fashion, which is a new collecting area.
  
  

Other Responsibilities

• Upholds the professional standards of their field and always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and will protect and enhance its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Aspires to excellence in all aspects of their work and serves as a model for others.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Suggests methods for improvement for job responsibilities and professional growth.
• Adheres to all CMA protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.
  
  

Salary

Full-time work is 35 hours per week, although occasional overtime might be necessary, for example, when traveling for work.

Associate Conservator: starting from $65,000/year

Full Conservator: starting from $80,000/year

Application Procedure

Application materials will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For consideration, please submit the following materials in English. PDF format is strongly preferred, and please be sure to include your last name in the title of each document.

• A letter stating your interests and intent in applying for the position, including your desired position rank (associate or full) and applicable experiences
• Curriculum vitae
• Online portfolio (preferred) or examples of examination and treatment reports with images
• Contact list for five professional references
  
  

Full-time Benefits Include

• Partner level membership to CMA
• Free, unlimited admission to select Cleveland Museum of Art ticketed exhibitions (two adult member tickets per visit, subject to availability)
• 50% off admission to select ticketed exhibitions for members' guests
• Free admission to select ticketed exhibitions for unlimited children, 17 and younger, when accompanied by a member
• Priority registration and discounts for museum art classes for adults and children
• 20% discount in the museum store
• 10% discount in the museum restaurant and café
• Annual subscription to Cleveland Art members magazine
• Free Garage Parking
• Your employment relationship with the museum qualifies you for free or discounted admissions to other cultural institutions such as the Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Zoo, etc.
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Voluntary Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• HSA
• FSA