Position at Cincinnati Art Museum

Assistant/Associate Textiles Conservator
Cincinnati Art Museum

The Cincinnati Art Museum has an opening for the Assistant/Associate
Textiles Conservator in the Conservation Department.

Responsibilities: Working under the direction of the Chief
Conservator, the Textile Conservator is responsible for the
conservation and preservation of textile works of art and fashion in
the Art Museum's collection in accordance with the AIC code of
ethics.  The Textile Conservator's focus is on textiles and fashion
and assists with related collections such a tapestries and textile
components in collages and paintings as well as furniture. The
Textiles Conservator oversees all activities in the textile lab
including the examination and documentation of textile and fashion
and related collections to determine materials and methods of
fabrication and assess condition.  S/he is responsible for
determining if treatment is required in consultation with the
fashion arts and textile curator, and making treatment
recommendations, carrying out and supervising conservation
treatments.  Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

    Examines textiles, costumes and artifacts with textile
    components, assesses condition, prepares examination reports,
    arranges for and assists with photographic documentation, and
    proposes and performs treatment for the textile based
    collection. Prepares examination reports to provide, media and
    support descriptions; assessment of 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 and support identification, age,
    structure and stability, and to help determine the outcome of
    various treatment options.

    Carries out treatments in order to stabilize and restore, as
    possible, the physical and/or visual integrity of the textile
    based collection. Treatment may include, but is not limited to,
    performing structural stabilization techniques, vacuuming,
    dry/wet cleaning, mounting costumes on period mannequins and/or
    building customized mounts, and determining appropriate mounts
    for textiles.

    Schedules and manages the workflow through the textile
    conservation lab in consultation with the fashion arts and
    textile curator and chief conservator. Includes, supervising
    conservation technicians and conservation interns and fellows.
    Arranges for purchase of lab supplies and equipment within
    departmental budget.  Keeps lab organized and clean.

    Evaluates media, supports and conditions of all potential
    acquisitions of textiles, fashion, tapestries and textile based
    works of art and prepares a thorough written report documenting
    findings.  For new acquisitions provide recommendations for
    future housing, storage, handling, display and travel.  Confirms
    authenticity as necessary.  Works closely with curators in these
    evaluations.

    Examines textiles, costumes, tapestries and textile based works
    of art to determine if they can be loaned safely to outside
    organizations; examines works of art upon their return to the
    museum. Advises the curator, conservation technicians,
    registrars/art handlers, and packer on loan requirements,
    including travel and display recommendations, which are passed
    on to the borrowing institution.  As necessary confers with
    chief conservator about special requirements and colleagues from
    borrowing institutions to make sure Cincinnati Art Museum
    guidelines for loan can be met. Examines loan objects not
    belonging to the museum and documents the condition accordingly.

    Advises curators and other Art Museum personnel on the
    maintenance of a proper environment for the optimum preservation
    of the textile collection, museum-wide. Includes: monitoring
    environmental conditions in museum galleries and storage areas
    of costumes, textiles and similar materials. Makes
    recommendations for the safe display of textiles including
    recommendations for light levels, temperature, relative humidity
    and handling precautions. Makes appropriate storage mounts
    and/or supervises others.  Makes period hair for exhibition.
    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 textile based artwork
    to other museum employees who handle artwork.

    Conducts research relevant to the field of textile conservation,
    with a focus on the Cincinnati Art Museum collection and
    exhibitions including textile based collection materials.  As
    appropriate and as possible publishes results and/or presents
    information in a lecture.  Publications may include online
    publication features.

    Participates in exhibition preparations as needed.  Includes
    attending planning meetings and contributing to public events.

    Courier works of art from the collection to outside institutions
    as approved by the chief conservator and as regular work
    schedule allows.  Travels to assess condition of possible
    acquisitions of textile based collection.

    Assists with work in Art Museum galleries, including the
    installation of textiles, costumes, tapestries and other textile
    based materials and special exhibitions, and the handling of
    emergency situations as needed.

    Performs and/or participates in special projects for chief
    conservator and/or director such as participation in larger
    institutional projects such as: disaster planning, database
    review, and strategic planning.

    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 textile based collections.
    Keeps chief conservator up-to date with activities in the
    textile lab with monthly reports and one-on-one meetings.
    Confers with chief conservator about any changes in textile lab
    staff and work requirements and informs chief conservator as
    soon as possible of any conflicts that interfere with work
    flow/schedule or which may affect proper procedures and
    preservation practices.

    Enters all findings and written documentation in museum
    database. Ensures the photographic documentation related to the
    conservation of the textile based collection is properly labeled
    and stored.

    Pursues professional development opportunities by attending
    conservation workshops and meetings. This ongoing education
    should be accomplished on an annual basis if work schedule
    permits, but is also contingent on the departmental budget.

    Assists in the maintenance and use of analytical equipment.
    Participates as possible in training related to the use and
    maintenance of this equipment, specifically the use and proper
    registration of the beta plate.

    Educates the public on the field of conservation.  Conducts
    classes and tours and gives lectures as required.

    Answers questions and advises outside callers as needed.

Requirements:

    Bachelor's degree and completion of a graduate-level course of
    study in Conservation, or equivalent education and training. The
    position requires at least three years of post fellowship
    experience in textile conservation. The successful candidate
    must have a broad knowledge of museum practices and collections
    management, a familiarity with the types and materials
    represented in the museum's collection of textiles and fashion,
    and a strong record of achievement in the field.  S/he should
    have a demonstrated ability to work independently as well as
    successfully with others, e.g., 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, and other
    computing tools that the staff is expected to use on a regular
    basis.

    The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
    Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
    disabilities to perform the essential functions. Manual
    dexterity is frequently required as duties call for the handling
    of artwork, and operation of tools and equipment.  The employee
    must also be able to communicate effectively and work
    successfully with others.  Job duties entail standing, walking,
    sitting, occasional climbing, bending and kneeling. Specific
    vision abilities required by this job include close, color, and
    peripheral vision.

A cover letter, resume, and professional references should be
submitted to:

    Human Resources Department
    Cincinnati Art Museum
    953 Eden Park Drive
    Cincinnati OH 45202-1596
    Fax: 513-639-2932
    humanResources<-a t->cincyart< . >org

No phone calls please.

Deadline to apply: July 31, 2011.

The Cincinnati Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer and is
strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment
where a variety of backgrounds, cultures, orientations, ideas, and
talents can flourish.

Jennifer Hart
Director of Human Resources
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-639-2921
Fax: 513-639-2932

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:7
                  Distributed: Tuesday, July 19, 2011
                        Message Id: cdl-25-7-014
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