Conservation Apprentice, Photo Conservation [End-Dated]

The Metropolitan Museum of Art•New York, NY

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Conservation Apprentice in the Photograph & Time-Based Media Conservation Department at The Met offers an emerging conservator, who plans to pursue a degree in a conservation graduate program, the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an active and welcoming conservation lab. You will be introduced to the technical history of photography, deterioration processes, and preventive conservation approaches. This training will be put into immediate practice through examination, documentation, and preventive conservation of photographs in the newly acquired Artur Walther Collection gift. You will collaborate with conservators, collections managers, a collections specialist dedicated to the same project, technicians, photographers, and curators to assist with the intake of this acquisition of approximately 6,500 photographs. At the conclusion of this one-and-a-half-year position, you will have gained considerable conservation experience to strengthen their application for a conservation graduate program. This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 1.5 Years

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a related field such as chemistry, physics, art history, studio art, or a combination thereof
Commitment to pursue a career in conservation
Excellent hand skills and attention to detail
Communication skills that facilitate teamwork and the ability to work across museum departments
An interest in sharing knowledge and skills through attending and presenting at conferences and collaborating on publications
Ability to work independently and in collaboration with a wide variety of Museum colleagues
Professional competence with basic computer programs, such as Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, Adobe Creative Cloud, and a familiarity with or willingness to learn collection management systems, such as TMS and Conservation Studio
Work will be conducted between both the Met-5th Ave and offsite Art storage.
Willingness and ability to learn and implement new software as necessary
Excellent organizational skills essential
A continuous drive to gain new skills and knowledge

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of current imaging techniques is desirable but not essential
Basic familiarity with current research and developments in the field
Experience in a museum or private conservation practice is desirable, but not essential.
Knowledge of a language other than English is a plus but not required

Responsibilities

Write and photograph documentation of works of art
Processing of digital images, including labeling and the addition of metadata
Engagement with ongoing conservation activities related to the examination, storage and exhibitions of works of art.
Participate in general lab maintenance including organizing workspaces, preparing materials and tools, preparing paste, cutting blotters and poly web sheets.
Conduct in gallery & storage preventative conservation recording, including, light levels, and climate records.
Process data entry into TMS Conservation Studio (The Museum System) database, including conservation reports, digital images, and analytical or other scholarly information
Handling framed and unframed artworks in off-site storage and on-site at the museum
Assist in the construction of conservation-quality housings
Other related duties as assigned

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
Free financial-planning services
Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
25% discount for staff in Museum shops
A subsidized staff cafeteria
Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions