Internships at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Conservation technician internships
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Each year the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden implements an
outdoor sculpture maintenance program.  For the 2014 season, the
Museum is offering several paid and unpaid conservation technician
internships to assist with the outdoor sculpture program along with
the activities in the contemporary art conservation laboratory. The
Sculpture Conservation Internship is designed for candidates who are
seriously considering a graduate level degree in conservation or who
are currently enrolled in an accredited art conservation degree
program. These participants will receive a hands-on introduction to
outdoor sculpture conservation and the unique considerations of
conservation in a contemporary art collection.

Internship Scope: The conservation interns will carry out a variety
of sculpture conservation treatments on the outdoor sculpture and
the indoor contemporary art collections, document sculpture
treatments through treatment reports and digital documentation,
learn the properties and application of a wide range of conservation
materials, and utilize specialized tools and analytical equipment in
the performance of their daily duties.  In addition to treating and
examining artwork, the intern will participate essential routine
tasks such as conducting gallery inspections, monitoring
environmental conditions in the collection spaces, and maintaining a
clean work space.

Outdoor Sculpture Collection Maintenance: The Hirshhorn Museum has
more than seventy sculptures situated throughout its sculpture
garden and plaza areas.  The objects, which range in size from three
to more than sixty feet in height, are made from a variety of
materials including stone, bronze, iron, aluminum, and steel. The
outdoor sculptures receive annual maintenance conservation
treatments that may include detergent washing, the application of
protective surface coatings, repainting, and structural repairs.
This work is performed mostly outdoors, is strenuous, and often
requires working in very hot and humid conditions.

Qualifications: The team of interns is assembled to include a wide
range of experience levels, providing an equal opportunity to
candidates with differing backgrounds in conservation.  However, an
interest in outdoor sculpture and/or contemporary art conservation
should be exhibited by the candidate in his or her application
materials.

Internship Duration: As the outdoor sculpture maintenance season
spans from May to October, the 12-week full-time internships are
roughly divided into two sessions: the first session commences in
May 2014; the second in late July 2014 with actual start dates
dependent upon the schedules of the successful candidates.

Stipends: The internship positions can be highly competitive and
only two of the applicants may be awarded a $4000 stipend for a
12-week full-time internship. Candidates should specify in their
application if they wish to be considered for an unpaid position if
they are not selected for the first round of paid internships.

Application Process: Applications must be completed online at

    <URL:https://solaa.si.edu>

no later than Friday, February 14, 2014.  The cover letter should
indicate preference of session dates and whether the candidate
wishes to be considered for the unpaid internship. Any questions
about the internship should be directed to Gwynne Ryan
<ryangw<-a t->si< . >edu>

To learn more about the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
collections and programs, please visit hirshhorn.si.edu


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:30
                Distributed: Wednesday, January 29, 2014
                       Message Id: cdl-27-30-035
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