The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) is accepting applications for a 2-Year Post-Graduate Fellowship in Objects Conservation in the museum’s Lunder Conservation Center. The fellowship will focus on the preservation of James Hamptons iconic The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations’ Millennium General Assembly (“The Hampton Throne”).
The Hampton Throne is a multi-media work created by James Hampton between 1950-1964. The work is based on several religious visions that prompted Hampton to prepare for Christ’s return to earth. Hampton created hundreds of individual components from found materials like jelly jars, cardboard, furniture, and metallic foils. Approximately one third of the entire assemblage is currently on display in SAAM’s Folk and Self-Taught Art Galleries while the remaining components remain in storage.
The fellowship will involve preventive maintenance of the components currently on view and a condition survey of all components in storage. The fellow will collaborate with SAAM Object Conservators for the analytical and historical research on the artwork and will collaborate with an advanced-level intern in SAAM’s registration department to catalog the components and perform a condition survey on the stored components. Remedial treatments and interventions to stabilize sections of the artwork will also be included in the scope of the two-year project.
The fellowship is open to U.S. and international conservators with a Master’s degree in conservation from a recognized conservation training program. Candidates must have proficient English language skills (written and spoken). One of the missions of the Lunder Conservation Center is to serve our professional and public communities through outreach and educational programming. Candidates with experience or interest in public programming are encouraged to apply. Experience with Folk and Self-Taught Art and a strong background in preventive conservation is preferred but not required.
The fellowship includes an annual stipend of $42,000, with an additional annual allotments of $4,000 in research expenses and $1,300 towards healthcare. The fellowship begins in October 2022 and is for a term of 24 months. SAAM fellowships are open to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status, marital status, or sexual orientation.
To apply, please submit a statement of interest, C.V., and the names and contact information for two references by email to DWRCLunder@si.edu, with “2022 Hampton Throne Fellowship Application” in the subject line. The deadline for application submissions is close-of-business July 15, 2022. Interviews will be conducted by phone in early August with a final decision anticipated by the end of August.
