Collections Care Associate
Description:
Title: Collections Care Associate
Department: Conservation and Registration
Reports to: Objects Conservator and Head Registrar for Collection and Exhibitions
Type of Position: Full-time, salaried/exempt
Position Summary:
The Collections Care Associate will work with the Conservation department to maintain the preservation, care, and overall appearance of the galleries in the historic Gardner Museum palace. As a part of the Conservation team, the incumbent will be an advocate for the collection in working with other museum departments on planning programs and activities in the museum.
The Collections Care Associate will also work as a part of the Registration department team to deinstall, handle and reinstall works from the collection to support the multi-year cross-departmental photography project, and will assist with the coordination and record-keeping for the project. As time permits, the position will support other collection work and object moves for conservation treatment, loans, exhibitions and facilities work.
Responsibilities:
• Manage the overall daily appearance of the historic galleries
• Work with Collection Maintenance Technicians, Conservation Technicians and Facilities staff on collection cleaning schedules, maintaining lights and window shades and other gallery appearance issues
• Work with various departments, including Education, Membership, Horticulture, Marketing, Contemporary, Development and Rental Events on planning programs, tours, events and other activities that are safe and practical for the collection and galleries
• Carry out conservation and collections orientations for new staff, as well as contracted photographers, musicians, and artists who will be working in the galleries
• Review work orders and attend operations planning meetings as a Conservation and Collections representative
• Maintain conservation policy documents for gallery activities
• Provide scheduling, coordination, art handling and communication support to the photography project and, as time permits, other collection projects as assigned by Registrar
• Using the Collection Management Database (EmBark), assist with keeping records of art movements, creating object removal labels, recording project documentation, and performing inventories as they relate to the photography project
• As time permits, assist with other general art handling and collection care activities as part of Registration team
• Carry out matting, framing, re-housing, mount making, packing and unpacking in support of the photography project
• Work collegially with stakeholders from across museum departments
Qualifications:
• A bachelors or masters in Art History, Museum Studies, Studio Art or a related field of study
• Minimum five years experience in art handling, packing and installation
• Experience with matting, framing, re-housing and mount-making
• Knowledgeable with best practice for collection handling and care in museums
• General knowledge of preventive conservation practices
• Experience with developing and implementing policies preferred.
• Good planning, organization and calendar management skills
• Experience with collection management databases preferred; training to be provided
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Ability to advocate for the collection and galleries with confidence and diplomacy
• Sound judgment and ability to work carefully under pressure
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive data
• Respect for deadlines and ability to work within them
• Ability to bend, crouch, and to lift objects up to 50 lbs and work at a height up to 13 feet
• Some collection work may take place during off-hours; willingness to work flexibly as required is necessary
To Apply:
Join our dedicated, talented team of employees, interns and volunteers, who are passionate about the work they do to support the Museum’s mission. To apply for this position, please use the Museum’s online application system, this is our preferred application method:https://isgm.applicantpro.com/jobs/209588.html. Both a cover letter and resume are required.
The Gardner Museum is committed to affording equal opportunities to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disabilities, marital status or sexual orientation. Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. The Museum is proud to embrace the goals of Commonwealth Compact (http://www.umb.edu/commonwealth_compact/about) and pledges to measure its progress toward those goals over time, using the Commonwealth Compact benchmarks.
We receive many resumes and kindly request that you do not call to inquire about the status of your application. Those candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted.
June 01, 2015
The Museum was the creation of Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840-1924) ‘for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.’ Since opening to the public in 1903, the Gardner has served as a center for ideas and life-long learning in its community – a tradition that is kept alive today through an array of interpretive, creative, educational, horticultural, artistic and scholarly programs.
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