Position at Art Institute of Chicago

Photography conservator
Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest and most
prestigious fine art institutions in the world.  It incorporates the
museum, which is visited by millions of people every year who enjoy
our distinguished collections, and The School of The Art Institute,
which ranks as one of the top independent colleges in the United
States and abroad in art and design.  The Art Institute's
outstanding reputation is based not only on its collections,
facilities, and academic programs, but also on its team of dedicated
professionals.  The Art Institute offers a variety of occupations
for various skill levels, which in turn contributes to the diverse
activities of the organization.  As a result, The Art Institute
prides itself on effective, efficient, and productive operations.

We are actively seeking a conscientious individual who will be
responsible for establishing the appropriate conservation methods of
storage, handling, analytic examination, identification, framing,
display, and transport for all photographic material in the museum's
collections, as well as all photographic materials loaned to the
museum for study, evaluation, or exhibition. Responsible for
scientific research that will improve knowledge of the photography
collections at the Art Institute. Responsible for the maintenance
and management of the photography conservation and preparation
laboratory and related equipment.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

    Expertly supervises or executes all conservation, restoration,
    analytic examination, or preparatory measures on any
    photographic materials in the museum's collections or archives,
    as well as any photographic material loaned to the museum for
    study, evaluation, or exhibition. Supervises handling of
    photographs and installation measures taken by the Assistant
    Conservator for Framing and Preparation.

    Establishes conservation standards for storage, handling,
    display, analytic examination, and transport of any photographic
    material in the museum's collections or archives, as well as any
    photographic material loaned to the museum for study,
    evaluation, or exhibition. Advises curatorial and conservation
    colleagues, as well as staff at the School of the Art Institute
    of Chicago if necessary, in the care and handling of
    photographic materials.

    Researches and supervises research in the conservation,
    restoration, and analytic examination of photographic materials.
    Publishes and lectures on such research. Regularly communicates
    with professional colleagues and actively participates in
    professional organizations concerning the conservation of art
    and photography.

    Trains and mentors the Mellon Foundation Fellow in Photography
    Conservation. Supervises the Fellow's treatments, research, and
    scholarly development. Together with the Mellon Fellow, trains
    any assistants or interns in the Photography Department in
    procedures for identification and examination of photographic
    materials.

    Manages and maintains the photography conservation and
    preparation laboratory as well as the temperature and humidity
    equipment for the storage vaults. Purchases equipment and
    supplies for the laboratory and storage vaults.

    Prepares or supervises preparation of all condition reports,
    statements of policy on handling, housing and storing,
    exhibition, and shipping of all photographic materials. With the
    Registrar, checks or supervises the checking of all condition
    reports against actual objects returned from loan exhibitions or
    against objects on loan to the museum for study or exhibition.

    Responsible for the functioning of the Department of Photography
    in the absence of the Department head

Requirements include:

    Advanced degree in the conservation of photographs and 8 years
    postgraduate experience.

    Experience involving major responsibility for a significant
    museum collection of photographs is preferred.

    Fluency in written and spoken English is also required.

Please apply online to:

    <URL:https://csweb.artic.edu/recruit/applyjob.html>

The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access
employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce.

Steven Charless
Membership Associate
American Institute for Conservation
1156 15th St., NW
Suite 320
Washington DC 20005
202-661-8066
Fax: 202-452-9328


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:7
                 Distributed: Wednesday, July 31, 2013
                        Message Id: cdl-27-7-034
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