Position at Aga Khan Museum

Chief Conservator
Aga Khan Museum
Canada, Ontario, Toronto

Full time, fixed term

Closing Date: August 19, 2013

The Aga Khan Museum (AKM) is an institution devoted to the arts of
Islamic civilizations in all their historic and geographic
diversity. The Museum is scheduled to open in Toronto in the summer
of 2014. The Museum's mission is to inform, educate, and inspire
audiences from all cultures by presenting art created in the Islamic
world throughout the past fourteen centuries, along with current
paths of artistic practice and cultural development.

The permanent collection, assembled by His Highness the Aga Khan,
comprises nearly one thousand works of art covering well over a
millennium of artistic accomplishment by Muslim cultures stretching
from the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghrib, to Southeast Asia and
China. The core of the collection is a superb corpus of works of art
on paper, including manuscripts, single folios, calligraphy and
book-painting, and related documents. The collection also includes
ceramics, metalwork, glass, woodwork, ivory, jewellery, coins and
textiles.

The AKM is seeking an experienced conservator with demonstrable
knowledge of and proficiency in treating works of art from the
Islamic World as its Chief Conservator. Reporting to the Head of
Curatorial Affairs, the Chief Conservator will be responsible for
the physical well-being, preservation, protection and conservation
of the permanent collection, as well as the safety and preservation
of loaned works of art on exhibition and in storage. The Chief
Conservator will establish, equip and maintain the new conservation
laboratory at the AKM. Although preference will be given to a
specialist in paper and manuscript conservation, the Chief
Conservator will have experience in assessing the conservation
requirements of works of art in a variety of media and the capacity
for managing external conservation services as required. The Chief
Conservator will manage the AKM's conservation services and budget,
and will work in collaboration with the Chief Registrar and the Head
of Curatorial Affairs to develop the Museum's long-range philosophy,
strategy and planning for collection care and storage. The Chief
Conservator will work at the highest professional standard in
accordance with a recognized ethical code, such as the American
Institute for Conservation's Code of Ethics and Guidelines for
Practice. As a member of the Museum's curatorial division, the Chief
Conservator will play a crucial role in the development and
implementation of a twenty-first century museum in Toronto with a
major global role.

Key responsibilities include:

Management of Personnel

    Supervision of mount-maker/framer for three-dimensional objects
    and works of art on paper

    Contract and supervise conservators for special projects,
    in-house or external

    With relevant museum staff, supervise art handling and
    installation of works of art for temporary exhibitions, and in
    the Permanent Collection Gallery

    Supervise interns and fellows in conservation

Collection Management

    Participate in the planning and execution of the transfer of the
    collections to the AKM in Toronto

    Develop the strategy and approach to preventive conservation
    measures for the collection

    Maintain and update Museum policies for conservation and
    collection management

    Contribute to the development and maintenance of the Collections
    Management database

    Carry out environmental monitoring and preventative conservation
    activities

    Document and retain documentation for all monitoring activities

    In collaboration with the Registrar and Museum Operations and
    Security, administer emergency management and response plan for
    the collection

Examination and Conservation

    Outfit and maintain new conservation laboratory, selecting
    appropriate furniture and equipment

    Manage the conservation laboratory and use paints, organic
    solvents and other chemicals according to local and professional
    safety codes

    Maintain a safe working environment in accordance with local
    codes and regulations

    Examine, assess, and document the composition and condition of
    works of art, conducting technical examinations and scientific
    analysis, as necessary

    Perform or supervise conservation treatments on works of art, as
    required

    Document and retain documentation in writing and images of all
    conservation assessments and treatments

    Communicate appropriately with key staff members regarding
    treatment proposals and progress

    Examine and assess proposed new acquisitions

    Prepare works of art for exhibition and loan; advise on packing
    and transportation

Outreach

    Prepare grant application and funding proposals for collections
    care, as required

    Disseminate research work in AKM publications and other
    scholarly and popular vehicles

    Respond to public enquiries regarding conservation

Other

    Consult and collaborate with colleagues on museum projects

    Train relevant staff in object handling

    Participate in training schemes, as required

    Undertake other functions and tasks as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

    Master's Degree in Art, Conservation, Material's Science or
    related field from an accredited university.

    At least 10 years hands-on experience and proven skills in the
    practice of paper conservation.

    Knowledge and experience of a wide range of simple to advanced
    conservation treatments and approaches

    Excellent photographic and record-keeping skills

    Excellent working knowledge of common collection management
    database systems

    Significant experience in collections management in storage and
    gallery settings.

    Significant experience with the interpretation of scientific
    analysis

    Demonstrable leadership experience including the management of
    staff and a significant budget.

    Excellent vision, arm and hand dexterity, and a normal range of
    physical movement.

    The ability to lift and carry up to 60 lbs.

Attributes

    Strong museum and conservation ethics

    Strong work ethics, and professional and personal integrity

    Adaptable and dynamic team player

    A strong network of colleagues in the field of conservation

    Exceptional communication skills, oral and written

    Creative and dynamic thinking

    An affinity with the underlining goals and philosophy of the Aga
    Khan Development Network

Applications: Submit curriculum vitae and cover letter to
akm.hr<-at->akdn<.>orgs

Applications will be received until August 19, 2013

Mr. Moyez Jadavji
Head of Operations

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:8
                 Distributed: Thursday, August 8, 2013
                        Message Id: cdl-27-8-041
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