Blogs

Associate Conservator of Paintings (Pittsburgh, PA, USA)

By Paid Job Ads posted 01-24-2020 10:58

  
Associate Conservator of Paintings
Andy Warhol Museum – Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh, PA
Req #363

 

The Warhol is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, and a collaborative project between Carnegie Institute, Dia Art Foundation, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Plans to house The Warhol in Pittsburgh were announced in 1989, and the museum opened its doors during a 24-hour celebration on May13, 1994. Originally built in 1911 as a distribution center for products sold to mills and mines, The Warhol was redesigned by architect Richard Gluckman and features seven floors of gallery and exhibition space as well as an underground level that houses The Factory education studio and the conservation lab. 

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.  

As ASSOCIATE CONSERVATOR OF PAINTINGS, you will examine paintings, write treatment proposals, and execute approved treatments on paintings in the Andy Warhol Museum collection, for various needs as directed by supervisor, including preparation for exhibitions and loans, collection surveys, and long-range preservation planning. 

This is a Full-Time Opportunity and you will be eligible to participate in the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh comprehensive benefits program.

TO APPLY:  Visit http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/opportunities; Click Search Jobs; Locate Requisition #363 – Associate Conservator of Paintings; Click Apply; Complete On-line application.  If you wish to include a portfolio, links to works and/or a cover letter along with your resume/CV, save the documents as ONE file and upload the .PDF accordingly.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
 - Advanced degree in art conservation with specialization in contemporary paintings;
 - Minimum 5 years’ experience of work in painting restoration;
 - Specific experience working with acrylic paintings on canvas is required;
 - Preference will be given to candidates with direct experience treating work by Andy Warhol. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
 - Knowledge of modern and contemporary art history and techniques, including familiarity with the work of Andy Warhol;
 - Specific knowledge of acrylic, casein and tempera paints required;
 - Demonstrable skill in appropriate treatments for paintings on canvas, including surface cleaning, inpainting, repairing tears, dents, flaking paint, cracks, and delamination, as well as assessment and treatment of canvases through lining and restretching paintings, as supported by portfolio of work;
 - Strong written and verbal communication skills;
 - Ability to meet tight deadlines;
 - Knowledge of MS Office suite and TMS database a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Position requires bending over a worktable, sitting or standing for long periods; some repetitive motion is expected.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Reviews paintings requested for loan or exhibition. Identifies requested works that require conservation treatment and makes recommendations of works that should not travel based on in-depth examination of works. Drafts treatment proposals, including timelines and anticipated costs, and submits proposals to Director of Collections and Registration in a timely fashion.
- Plans and executes major and minor treatments of two- or three-dimensional painted artworks in the collection including cleaning, addressing structural problems, and compensating for losses.
- Performs routine dusting on paintings, both on display and in storage.
- Develops and updates comprehensive conservation records on painted artworks in the collection, including photographic documentation. Assists with writing condition reports for traveling works.
- Supports incoming exhibitions and loans by completing condition reports as needed, and addressing any change in condition to loaned works as appropriate.
- Oversees the stretching/unstretching and rolling/unrolling of oversized paintings in the collection.
- Provides advice on safe environmental conditions, handling, packing, installation and storage conditions and materials for two- or three-dimensional painted artworks. With registrars, updates training manuals, trains new staff on AWM’s in-house handling guidelines, and provides annual refresher training for staff.
- When necessary, accompanies traveling exhibitions and loans as courier or to oversee installation of fragile works.
- Responds to incidents that impact the collection.
- Undertakes research projects and testing on materials and techniques used by Andy Warhol, such as identifying paint types and specific preservation needs for each.
- Other activities and projects as assigned by supervisor.

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment:

  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
  • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
  • FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check

Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.
Starting salary range $35-45K.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

#job 

Permalink