Associate Conservator of Costumes and Textiles

Philadelphia Museum of Art • Philadelphia, PA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Conservator of Costumes and Textiles will be responsible for the preservation, conservation treatment, research, and presentation of the museum’s renowned textile holdings. This includes global dress and fashion, flat textiles, textile art, tapestries, carpets, and composite works of art from all museum curatorial departments. The role requires outstanding visual and manual aptitudes, strong communication skills, a solid historical and technical understanding of costume and textiles, and the ability to manage the complexities of a large cultural institution.

Requirements

• Graduate degree from a recognized art conservation training program, or equivalent training, with a specialization in textile conservation.
• Minimum of 5 years of postgraduate experience in textile conservation in a museum setting.
• Experience with mannequin dressing.
• Proven ability to plan and execute a variety of complex textile conservation treatments on flat and three-dimensional objects.
• Experience with carrying out IPM in a museum setting.
• Experience working cooperatively with staff at large to meet departmental and institutional goals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Adobe Photoshop.
• Ability to access all public and staff areas of the museum campus, with or without accommodation.
• Ability to move up to 30 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and exceptional fine motor skills.
• Excellent corrected eyesight, color discrimination and spatial perception.
• Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Responsibilities

• Examine, conduct research, and perform conservation treatment on a range of textile-based objects.
• Evaluate and document the condition of works of art requested for loan, exhibition, or acquisition consideration.
• Collaborate with and advise colleagues across the museum on housing, installation, storage, mount-making, handling, packing, and the transport of works of art.
• Conduct technical and historical research to advance understanding of textile objects and as a basis for preservation, treatment, or display decisions.
• Collaborate with conservation scientists on chemical and instrumental analysis and characterization of textile materials.
• Assist in mentoring and training post-graduate fellows, interns, and technicians.
• Maintain the data collection tracking system for the museum's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, and co-ordinate and advise on mitigation activities.
• Work to educate the museum staff about IPM.
• Promote public awareness of the role and work of the museum’s Conservation Division, in part through developing content for presentation and outreach.
• Engage professionally within the fields of costume and textile conservation and history, taking opportunities to publish work and to attend and present at conferences, colloquia, scholar’s days, and the like.
• Pursue continuing education opportunities within the profession to expand and refine knowledge and skills.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Discounts on gift memberships
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Health savings or flexible spending account program
• Retirement savings program with museum match
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level