Associate Conservator of Objects and Sculpture

Job Summary:

The Harvard Art Museums

Ever since their founding, The Harvard Art Museums —the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum and Arthur M. Sackler Museum—have been dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. Displayed in galleries that mix not only media but schools of art, the collections at Harvard are celebrated and interrogated within a larger story of artistic expression and historical and contemporary issues. The diverse collection is among the largest in the United States. Through research, teaching, professional training, and public education, the museums strive to advance the understanding and appreciation of art.

The Associate Conservator of Objects and Sculpture reports to the Assistant Director and Head of Objects Lab, Straus Center for Conservation and serves as an integral part of the collaborative Objects Lab team. The Associate Conservator demonstrates achievement, expertise, and initiative in conservation treatments, preventive care, research, and publications relating to the preservation of three-dimensional objects, artist materials and techniques. The Associate Conservator participates in outreach and produces scholarly work demonstrating originality and conservation expertise for three-dimensional objects in all media. The Associate Conservator is responsible for practicing and developing these areas in support of the mission of the Harvard Art Museums, while abiding and promoting the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Institute of Conservation of Artistic and Historic Works.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Collections

• Performs condition reports, surveys, examinations, and treatments for three-dimensional objects for the Harvard Art Museums, University Loans, and occasional outside clients. Collections span a broad range of cultures and time periods from ancient to contemporary. 

• Prepares accompanying written and photographic documentation, estimates, correspondence, and condition reports for exhibitions, loans, and acquisitions.

• Serves as lab point person for exhibitions, loans, and projects as assigned.

• Performs preventive care for objects, including dusting, integrated pest management, housing, microclimate maintenance and monitoring.

• Reviews and makes recommendations for loans out and accompanies works of art as courier when needed.

• Participates in collections emergency planning and response.

• Follows regular health and safety training programs and is responsible for complying with University guidelines, including the safe use of certain controlled or hazardous substances. 

Administrative

• Participates in planning and preparing budgets for lab activities, exhibitions, and special projects.

• Collaborates with and maintains good working relations with conservation scientists, conservators, curators, and other museum staff.

• Participates in the selection, supervision, and instruction of a conservation fellow. 

• Assists in the maintenance of the lab and photo studio, including supplies, records, and equipment.

• May serve as lab point person for health and safety issues. 

• Practices and promotes the Guidelines for Practice and Code of Ethics as established by the AIC.

Teaching

• Mentors and instructs casual employees, fellows, or students as appropriate.

• Participates in teaching, including undergraduate and graduate courses on artists’ materials and techniques, and the technical examination of art. 

• Advises and trains museum staff in the best practices for the care, handling, display, storage, and packing and shipping of objects.

Research

• Stays current with professional philosophies, procedures, and practices in the conservation field through participation in professional organizations, publications, and attendance at meetings, workshops, and seminars.

• Initiates and collaborates on interdisciplinary technical research relevant to museum collections and projects.

• Publishes or presents findings in national and international publications and conferences.

 

Institutional

• Works with and provides content for Communications, the Division of Academic and Public Programs, Curatorial, and Institutional Advancement, and other departments as needed. Builds positive and productive working relationships with art museums, university, and external colleagues.

• Presents public gallery talks and participates in programming as requested. 

• Supports Collections Management’s operation of Art Study Centers and Curricular Galleries.

• Leads and participates in tours for various interest groups.

 

Working Conditions:

Physical Requirements:

 

Work is conducted in a conservation lab setting. Manual dexterity in conservation treatments and object handling is required. Ability to move through a multi-story museum building. Local travel to other Harvard University sites. Possible domestic or international travel.