What are the responsibilities and job description for the Kress Fellow, Paintings Conservation position at The Nelson Gallery Foundation?
Where the Power of Art Engages the Spirit of Community
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art invites all people to explore the art in its care, and through its vast collections, the depths, and complexities of human experiences.
We strive to create a sense of belonging, where staff and volunteers can do meaningful work connecting people to art. We create an informed, invested group of staff and volunteers through shared values and open, direct, and respectful communication. We embrace IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Sustainability) in every aspect of our ideals and aspirations, as we believe these values to be paramount to success.
Each staff member and volunteer will embody the institution’s commitments and agrees to exhibit behaviors that align with them. We hold one another to these expectations so that, together, we may know, own, energize and sustain our culture and the institution for generations to come.
KRESS FELLOW, PAINTINGS CONSERVATION
This fellowship opportunity is made possible through the generous support from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation
Start Date of Fellowship: July 1, 2024
End Date of Fellowship: August 31, 2026
End Date of Fellowship: August 31, 2026
Qualification/Minimum Requirement: The fellowship is limited to graduates of graduate conservation programs in the US or Canada, or to US citizens graduating from a graduate-level conservation program abroad.
Conservation Department
The Nelson-Atkins has shown a commitment to the preservation of its collections since it opened in 1933 and hired its first full-time paintings conservator in 1938. Today the fully equipped conservation spaces also include paper, objects and photo conservators, all of whom promote preservation, research and education. Scientific research on the collection is funded by a generous endowment from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Kress Fellowship, Paintings Conservation at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, MO). The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is accepting applications for a two-year fellowship in paintings conservation, 2023-25. The fellowship will focus on technical art history and treatment for publication in the scholarly online catalogue French Paintings and Pastels, 1600-1945: The Collections of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (https://nelson-atkins.org/fpc/). The catalogue, featuring 110 paintings with curatorial and technical essays, was launched in 2020 with four paintings and continues with a serial release of two paintings per month.
Technical entries will be authored by the fellow under the supervision and guidance of the Conservator of Paintings. The fellow will conduct research on the artist’s technique and materials, examine the painting, capture relevant imagery, draft the entry, and incorporate edits. In addition to the catalogue project, the fellow will perform treatment on paintings in need of attention, either prior to their catalogue launch or those works flagged following catalogue research. Additionally, the fellow will participate in a range of museum activities, including loan preparations, such as glazing, stretcher bar lining, and cushioned backings; participating in courier trips; performing incoming or outgoing examinations; environmental monitoring of art storage spaces; and routine dusting of the collection.
Required Education and Experience
- M.A. in Art Conservation from a recognized training program
- Minimum of four years of experience in the field of painting conservation (including training)
- Demonstrated record of treatment
- Exemplary writing and research skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
- Excellent time management and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to best practices and advancing conservation knowledge
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Art Conservation from a recognized training program
- Minimum of four years of experience in the field of painting conservation (including training)
- Commitment to best practices and advancing conservation knowledge
- Strong written and communication skills
- Excellent time management and interpersonal skills
- Critical thinking abilities
- Proficiency using Adobe Photoshop and MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point
- Familiarity with The Museum System (preferred but not required)
Scope
- Examination of 6 paintings (annually) within the European painting collection; writing of technical entries for publication in the forthcoming scholarly collection catalogue, French Paintings 1600-1945: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; capture relevant photography for the catalogue entry
- 1-4 treatments annually
- 1-2 courier trips annually
- Weekly dusting of painting galleries
Compensation
Annual Stipend: $41,860 Benefits
Diversity and Inclusion
The Nelson Gallery Foundation is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, access and success. Our employees and volunteers are among our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees and volunteers invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and achievement as well.
We embrace and encourage our employees’ and volunteers’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make us unique.
Non-Discrimination
The Nelson-Atkins is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art conducts pre-employment background checks as part of our selection process.
Salary : $52,500 - $66,400
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