The National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, is pleased to announce four short-term internships that will provide training in minimally invasive methods for tear repair and single thread bonding for painted canvases. Made possible with generous support from the Getty Foundation through its Conserving Canvas initiative, the internships will focus on The Nebulae, an early modern folding screen by Robert Winthrop Chanler. The complexity of the screen format and the range of damages it has sustained will make for a unique and rich training opportunity and will foster the exchange of knowledge and skills related to the structural treatment of paintings. Working with a project conservator, project fellow, and NGA staff, interns will assist with the ongoing treatment of the screen.
The internships are designed for early-career painting conservators in North America that are currently enrolled in or have recently graduated from a recognized conservation training program or equivalent experience. The internships will be non-concurrent and can begin as early as June 2025 and should end during the summer of 2026. Each internship can be up to nine weeks long, although shorter internships will be considered.
Applicants will not need to have prior experience in tear mending but will demonstrate a commitment to the care of paintings and have a strong interest in the structural conservation of paintings on canvas. The grant provides for a stipend of $25.26 per hour which is $9,093.60 for a nine-week internship, and a local transportation subsidy for commuting. Additionally, a modest one-time-cost-of-living stipend of $300 will be provided to assist with expenses such as travel and accommodation during your internship.
Applications must be submitted at cl@nga.gov with the subject line “Conserving Canvas Internship” and include the following: a statement of interest with proposed dates, a current CV, and two letters of recommendation from conservation professionals familiar with the applicant’s work. The National Gallery is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work force. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for the position without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, or any other protected status. The National Gallery offers equal opportunity and treatment to all who apply. For administrative reasons, the National Gallery is unable to accept candidates requiring the National Gallery to sponsor them for a nonimmigrant visa order to accept the appointment. Applications must be received by February 21, 2025.Individuals wishing to hear more about the project are encouraged to contact Jay Krueger (J-krueger@nga.gov) or Sue Ann Chui (s-chui@nga.gov).
