The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) seeks a detail-oriented individual for the position of Conservation Technician for Paintings and Collections Care. The successful candidate will join a dedicated conservation team who work closely with BMA staff across multiple departments including curatorial, registration, installation, and exhibitions to examine, research, and care for works in the BMA collection and those on loan to the Museum.
In addition to assisting the Museum’s paintings conservator in providing for the comprehensive needs of pre-modern, modern, and contemporary paintings and their historic frames, the Conservation Technician will assist conservators in other areas of specializations as needed, and carry out preventive conservation and preservation activities across the Museum. The BMA holds a world-class collection of more than 100,000 works of art spanning the ancient world to the present, including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, works on paper, textiles, arts of the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, and contemporary multi-media works.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Work with the paintings conservator to assess, document, and prepare paintings for exhibition, loan, and long-term storage.
- Prepare and fabricate housings, including microclimates, and carry out framing and frame modifications.
- Maintain vendor relationships with suppliers, and order and organize materials and lab supplies.
- Assist other Conservation Department staff in carrying out the Museum’s integrated pest management (IPM) program, and other collections care activities.
- Coordinate and/or assist in the safe handling and movement of art to and from the conservation lab, storage, and the photography studio.
- Perform administrative support for the department, including: processing of payments, ordering office supplies, and maintenance of digital records, photographic documentation, and hardcopy files.
The Conservation Technician for Paintings and Collections Care is a full-time (35 hours per week) exempt position and reports to the Director of Conservation.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Working knowledge of principles and methodologies of museum preservation, as well as the materials, techniques, and technical aspects related to the care and conservation framing of paintings.
- Manual dexterity, and experience in safe handling procedures for sensitive works of art.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across Museum departments, and in multiple conservation specializations, on collections care and preservation projects.
- Ability to work under minimal supervision in areas of expertise (preparation and framing of paintings, museum preservation/collections care).
- Ability to efficiently organize multiple projects, meet deadlines, and exhibit clear verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to perform physical tasks routinely and lift up to 40lbs.
BENEFITS
The BMA is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This is a full-time, permanent position with a starting salary of $42,500 per year. We offer a generous benefits package. For this exempt position we offer medical, dental, vision, prescription, 403b retirement plan, long term disability, flexible spending account, museum and restaurant discounts, and reduced fee gym membership. We also offer accrued vacation, holidays, personal days, floating holidays, and sick days.
APPLY
Please send cover letter and CV/resume via email to HR@artbma.org with “Conservation Technician for Paintings and Collections Care” Last Name and First Name in the subject line.
Incomplete application materials will not be accepted.
