CAREERS - Williamstown + Atlanta Art Conservation Centers

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We will advertise for current open positions at both our Williamstown + Atlanta locations on this page. If no positions are available at this time, we will archive your CV and application materials for future reference.

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CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS

Associate/Assistant Objects Conservator

Williamstown, Massachusetts

May 2024

The Williamstown + Atlanta Art Conservation Center seeks a motivated Associate or Assistant level Objects Conservator to join our team at our Williamstown, MA location.

The Williamstown + Atlanta Centers are nonprofit regional conservation centers that provide conservation expertise and treatment for collections belonging to 57 member institutions, nonprofit, corporate, and private stewards in the Southeast and Northeast regions. Our state-of-the-art conservation facility in Massachusetts was designed by Pritzker Prize architect, Tadao Ando, and is located the Stone Hill Center on the campus of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, adjacent to Williams College campus.

You would be joining a team of multi-disciplined objects conservators, technicians, and interns that work on a wide range of objects and work collaboratively with the conservators and technicians in the Furniture and Frames Conservation Lab. The selected candidate will also work with colleagues in W+AAAC’s paper, paintings, objects, and analytical departments both in Williamstown and Atlanta developing a cross-disciplinary, collaborative approach to treatment and care. The conservation staff is supported by our in-house imaging specialist and a talented administrative team. W+AACC’s analytical laboratory and relationship with the Williams College Chemistry Department provide the opportunity to integrate technical analysis into conservation methodology. W+AACC’s close relationships with the Clark Art Institute and Williams College Art Museum provide opportunities for in-depth interaction with curators and scholars of all specializations. Please see past issues of Art Conservator for examples of what our community of conservators have been working on and the scope of projects that come through the Center. Also see the list of 57 member institutions, for which W+AACC provides a full spectrum of conservation expertise. The selected candidate for this position will report to the Head of the Objects Conservation Department, Hélène Gillette Woodard.

Education and professional development are integral to our mission. Our conservators teach for the joint Clark Art Institute/Williams College Graduate Program in Art History, provide mentorship to graduate and pre-program conservation interns, and host a variety of conservation programs. The successful candidate will demonstrate an interest and experience in education and outreach.

Duties of this position:

Work with the current Head of Objects Conservation
- Applicants must demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of conserving a wide variety of fine art, sculpture, decorative and ethnographic artworks with a broad understanding of object conservation in organic and inorganic materials.
- Complete several hours of work per day toward W+AACC projects.
- Work with colleagues in other specializations and oversee interns and volunteers.
- Work closely with the Furniture and Frames Conservation Lab staff.
- Participate in interdepartmental projects.
- Design and perform examinations and conservation treatment of a wide range of objects.
- Perform onsite work which may involve examinations, treatments, and consulting.
- Design/perform surveys, institutional assessments, and consultations.
- Conduct research to understand objects and support recommended treatment protocols.
- Manage and oversee subcontractors as needed.
- Communicate with stewards regarding projects, in concert with administrative staff.
Interact professionally with a broad range of people regarding collection stewardship, conservation, and preservation, both in person, over the phone, and via electronic means
Collaborate with conservation and collection professionals to develop and perform conservation and preventive care activities.
Represent W+AACC in meetings with other professionals, potential clients, and donors.
Participate actively in W+AACC’s education programs – mentoring, teaching, leading tours.
Design and implement education and mentoring programs.
Remain current with theoretical discourse, best practice, and innovation in the field.

Applicant Requirements:

A Master’s degree in conservation is preferred but equivalent education and experience will be considered.
1-5+ years of post-graduate conservation experience is required
Active membership in the American Institute for Conservation
Demonstrated versatility in performance of techniques and materials used in conservation.
Experience with integrating technical analysis into treatment methodologies.
Excellent communication, time management, and interactive skills for frequent collaboration on projects with other departments and member professionals
The ability to travel to onsite projects in the surrounding region and beyond, as required.
The ability to work on scaffolding indoors and out, stand for prolonged periods, lift 40lb.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Possess existing credentials permitting legal work in the United States.

Compensation + Benefits:

The starting salary for the assistant level is $53,000. The starting salary for the associate level is $57,000. The salary offered will be commensurate with experience.
An excellent benefits package is offered including health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 403b with 5% employer match, holidays, vacation sick, and personal days.
A professional development allowance of $1,000 and five research days are provided for workshops and conferences. Half of the cost of membership in the American Institute for Conservation is also provided.

Applications should include a letter of interest, a portfolio demonstrating three treatments that address the requirements of the position, and a CV. Please send applications to Michelle DeRose at [email protected]. Applications are requested as soon as possible. Interviews will begin as qualified applications are received. The position will remain open until filled.

Inquiries regarding the position can be directed to Hélène Gillette Woodard ([email protected]) or Julie Reilly at ([email protected]).

About W+AACC

W+AACC’s mission is to protect, conserve and maintain heritage objects from all cultures; to provide examination, treatment, consultation, and related conservation services for member institutions and other non-profit organizations, corporations, and individuals; to conduct educational programs with respect to the care and conservation of works of art and objects of cultural interest; to participate in the training of conservators; to promote the importance of conservation and increase the awareness of the issues pertinent to collections care; and to conduct research and disseminate knowledge to advance the profession.

Our conservation and preservation work touches upon objects from all cultures, all times, all geographies, and all belief systems. It is imperative that W+AACC conduct its work within an environment that transcends any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, disability, or protected class. At W+AACC, all perspectives are relevant, vital, and welcome in the development and implementation of the best solutions to conserve, preserve, and share our visual material culture.

Associate or Assistant Paintings Conservator

Atlanta, Georgia

May 2024

The Williamstown + Atlanta Art Conservation Center (W+AACC) seeks a motivated Paintings Conservator at the Associate or Assistant level to join our team at our Atlanta Art Conservation Center in Georgia.

You would be joining a team with one other paintings conservator to work on paintings that vary widely in age, style, and size. Local collections prominently feature artwork by 20^th century African American artists, but AACC also regularly treats Old Master paintings, murals, and contemporary art. The selected candidate will also work with Atlanta’s four paper and objects conservation professionals and Williamstown’s 15 paper, paintings, and objects conservation professionals in developing a cross-disciplinary, collaborative approach to treatment and care. Work is supported by a conservation analytical lab in Williamstown and close relationships with key academic laboratories to integrate technical analysis into conservation methodology. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with museums, academic institutions, private collectors, and the public. Paintings conservators at AACC regularly perform structural work (i.e., lining, relining, tear repair), surface cleaning, varnish removal, filling, and retouching.

Outreach and professional development are integral to our mission as a regional center. The successful candidate will demonstrate an interest and experience in education and preservation outreach. Please see past issues of our Art Conservator publication to see what our community of conservators has been working on and the scope of projects that come through W+AACC.

Duties of this position:

Design and carry out examination and conservation treatment on a wide range of paintings.
Design and perform collection surveys, institutional assessments, and consultations.
Complete several hours of work per day toward W+AACC projects.
Perform onsite work which may involve examinations, treatments, and consulting.
Collaborate with other conservation and collections professionals in developing and performing treatments and preventive care activities.
Conduct research to understand objects and support recommended treatment protocols.
Communicate with stewards regarding projects, in concert with administrative staff.
Manage and oversee subcontractors as needed.
Participate in interdepartmental projects.
Interact professionally with a broad range of people concerning conservation and preservation, both in person, over the phone, and via electronic communications.
Actively participate in W+AACC’s education programs and leading tours; participate in planning and implementing a new regional collection care outreach program.
Work with colleagues in other specializations and oversee interns and volunteers as needed.
Represent W+AACC in meetings with other professionals, potential clients, and donors.
Remain current with theoretical discourse, best practice, and innovation in the field.

Applicant Requirements:

A Master’s degree in conservation is preferred but equivalent education and experience will be considered.
1-5+ years of post-graduate conservation experience.
Active membership in the American Institute for Conservation.
Demonstrated versatility in performance of techniques and materials used in conservation.
Experience with structural repair, including lining.
Experience with the use of aqueous and solvent-based surface cleaning techniques.
Experience with integrating technical analysis into treatment methodologies.
Excellent communication, time management, and interactive skills for frequent collaboration on projects with other departments and member professionals.
Ability to travel to onsite projects in the surrounding region and beyond, as required.
Ability to work on scaffolding indoors and out, stand for prolonged periods, lift 40lbs.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Possess existing credentials permitting legal work in the United States.

Compensation + Benefits:

The starting salary for the assistant level is $53,000. The starting salary for the associate level is $57,000. The salary offered will be commensurate with experience.
An excellent benefits package is offered including health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 403b with 5% employer match, holidays, vacation sick, and personal time off.
A professional development allowance of $1,000 and five research days are provided for workshops and conferences. Half of the cost of membership in the American Institute for Conservation is also provided.

To Apply send a letter of interest, a portfolio demonstrating three treatments that address the requirements of the position, and a CV to Jamie Cassavoy at [email protected]. Applications are requested as soon as possible. Interviews will begin as qualified applications are received. The position will remain open until filled.

Inquiries regarding the position can be directed to Julie Reilly at [email protected] or Amanda Kasman at [email protected].

About the Center:

The Williamstown + Atlanta Centers are non-for-profit regional conservation centers that provide conservation expertise and treatment for collections belonging to member institutions, organizations, nonprofit and corporate collection stewards, and private individuals that do not have their own conservation resources. Our state-of-the-art conservation facility in Atlanta is located in an offsite facility of the High Museum of Art.

Our conservation and preservation work touches upon objects born of all cultures, all times, all geographies, and all belief systems. It is imperative that W+AACC conduct its work within an environment that transcends any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, disability, or protected class. At W+AACC, all perspectives are relevant, vital, and welcome in the development and implementation of the best solutions to conserve, preserve, and share our visual material culture.