Position at Musical Instrument Museum

Conservator
Musical Instrument Museum
Phoenix, AZ

Closing Date:  March 15, 2013

MIM seeks a creative and highly motivated professional to fill the
position of Conservator in Phoenix, Arizona. The successful
applicant will participate in the preparation of the museum's
collection of musical instruments and other objects for exhibition,
conduct restoration as necessary, contribute to activities related
to the collection's preventive care, and assist with installation of
objects.  Treatments by the Conservator focus on the stability and
appearance of the instruments for exhibition purposes. Treatments
are carried out in a visible laboratory that is an important part of
the guest experience. Procedures designed to improve playability or
acoustic quality of select instruments will also be carried out by
the Conservator or external consultants as appropriate.

This position reports to the Head of Collections and works closely
with Registration, Curatorial, and Exhibits staff. Salary is
competitive. This is a regular full-time position and compensation
includes benefits.

Primary Responsibilities

    Examine, document, and treat musical instruments, costumes, and
    other items from the museum's collection in preparation for
    exhibition.

    Restore instruments as deemed appropriate by the Conservator and
    the Curator.

    Assist with the installation of instruments and other objects in
    the galleries and with the unpacking, condition examination, and
    installation of incoming loans.

    Formulate, develop, and implement conservation and preservation
    protocols and treatments for the collection.

    Advise other MIM staff as to whether instruments should be
    acquired, exhibited, or loaned.

    Determine the best course of conservation for the objects in the
    collection depending on whether they will be viewed, played, or
    become part of the education collection.

    Perform preventive and restorative treatments on other
    institutions' musical instruments as MIM develops collaborative
    relationships with other institutions.

    Maintain relationships with Conservation and Collections teams
    in museums across the globe that house significant collections
    of musical instruments.

    Conduct training for and oversee work of various team members on
    object handling, minor treatments, IPM, and cleaning.

    Develop and oversee an emergency preparedness plan for the
    museum.

    Prepare grant applications to assist with the housing and
    conservation of collections.

    Maintain ongoing presentations on monitors to provide
    information to guests regarding current treatments in the
    visible lab.

    Carry out testing of materials proposed for use in storage and
    exhibition; assist with IPM activities and with monitoring
    environmental conditions in storage and in the galleries.

    Purchase equipment and supplies for the Conservation Laboratory.

    Assign and oversee work of external conservators as appropriate.

Qualifications

    The ideal candidate must bring energy, vision, enthusiasm, and
    resourcefulness to this important position. An ability to act
    quickly and with great judgment is paramount. Exceptional
    organizational, negotiation, problem-solving, and communication
    skills are also required.

    Advanced degree in conservation or equivalent combination of
    experience and education.

    At least five years of museum and conservation management
    experience.

    Ability to solve problems, work collaboratively with a larger
    team, and excel in a high- performance culture.

    Experience in the conservation of decorative arts, wooden
    objects, or ethnographic objects.

    Practical knowledge of digital photography and processing, as
    well as the management of digital images.

    Current authorization to work in the United States.

    Experience in the restoration, making or playing of musical
    instruments is desirable.

Filling this position is a priority for MIM. Finalists will be
invited to present a portfolio of completed projects during the
interview.

Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and
curriculum vitae in one merged document by following the link below:

    <URL:https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=3742941>

Katie Anderson
Head of Collections
MIM-Musical Instrument Museum
4725 East Mayo Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85050
480-478-6000
Direct:480-478-6012
Mobile: 480-862-9294


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:38
                 Distributed: Sunday, February 17, 2013
                       Message Id: cdl-26-38-031
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