Associate Conservator, Paintings

Associate Conservator, Paintings (Regular, Full-Time)

Conservation Center

Reporting to the Senior Conservator, Paintings the Associate Conservator has a broad range of responsibilities, and requires expertise in the examination, preservation, treatment, and interpretation of paintings. 

Responsibilities: 

• Assesses paintings for treatment and makes recommendations to the Senior Conservator for discussion and approval with Curatorial departments.
• Cleans paintings using various techniques including traditional solvents as well as aqueous and dry-cleaning methods.
• Restores lacunae with various types and methods of filling and inpainting.
• Undertakes surface treatments such as applying appropriate coatings when determined to be necessary.
• Recommends and performs structural treatments such as tear repair and lining.
• Remains current with research in the conservation field to promote conservation treatments of the highest current standards.
• Interacts with the Science and Photography sections to analyze and document paintings before and during treatment.
• Evaluate and recommend the best preservation circumstances for paintings in the Museum and its storage areas.
• Writes comprehensive examination reports, treatment proposals, and final reports that explain findings and procedures to Sr. Conservator to review and to curators and other professionals, as well as interact with curators and other professionals as treatment progresses.
• Writes reports for possible acquisitions which explain technical aspects and judgments of conditions reviewed by Sr. Conservator, which can be fully understood by conservators, curators, and other individuals, including donors.
• Collaborates with other departments such as Curatorial, Registrar, Art Handling, and Collection Management in the planning and undertaking of exhibitions and loans which may require recommending treatments, environmental specifications, and conditions for safe transit and display of the artwork.
• Included in the duties of exhibitions and loans is the accurate preparation and review of condition reports for incoming and outgoing exhibitions and loans, and the possibility of courier duties.
• Proposes annual budgets with Sr. Conservator for the treatment of paintings along with the necessary supplies, equipment, and personnel.
• Helps to oversee schedules and deadlines and contributes to upkeep of spaces.
• Conducts tours and gives lectures; publishes and presents research with contributions to professional journals, collection catalogs, and social media.
• Practices all safety standards and regulations concerning workplace, tools, and materials such as solvents, and follows local and LACMA safety guidelines while ensuring that others do the same.
• Performs other duties or special projects, as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.

Benefits:

• The expected annual salary for this Los Angeles, CA based position is $78,000.00 – $83,000.00, subject to change, and the position is eligible for LACMA’s comprehensive benefits package, including pension plan. 
• LACMA is committed to providing its employees with valuable and competitive benefits as a core part of a strong overall employee experience.

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program.

• Experience in the conservation of paintings, preferably with extensive museum work.

• Demonstrated skill in the examination, analysis, documentation, and treatment of paintings.

• Knowledge of and experience in cleaning, inpainting, tear repair, linings, and surface treatments of paintings should be shown in a portfolio of work accomplished in the past.

• Art history background with expertise in the visual evaluation and appreciation of paintings and they should have demonstrated their knowledge of science and its application to the study of artworks, artist materials, and techniques, in reports and publications.

• Familiarity with standard analytical equipment and more advanced analytical methods practiced with Conservation Science.

• Experience with exhibition planning and loan requests and their related documentation, review, budgeting, scheduling, and coordination within and outside of the museum.

• Well-informed in art preservation and in emergency preparedness and procedures.

Candidates at Assistant Level, encouraged to apply as well 

*Please provide a writing sample, documentation of a Conservation treatment or link to a published article