Job Summary:

The Harvard Art Museums - the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum and Arthur M. Sackler Museum - have been dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. The Associate Conservator of Objects and Sculpture reports to the Assistant Director and Head of Objects Lab, Straus Center for Conservation and serves as an integral part of the collaborative Objects Lab team.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Collections

• Performs condition reports, surveys, examinations, and treatments for three-dimensional objects for the Harvard Art Museums, University Loans, and occasional outside clients.
• Prepares accompanying written and photographic documentation, estimates, correspondence, and condition reports for exhibitions, loans, and acquisitions.
• Serves as lab point person for exhibitions, loans, and projects as assigned.
• Performs preventive care for objects, including dusting, integrated pest management, housing, microclimate maintenance and monitoring.
• Reviews and makes recommendations for loans out and accompanies works of art as courier when needed.
• Participates in collections emergency planning and response.
• Follows regular health and safety training programs and is responsible for complying with University guidelines.

Administrative

• Participates in planning and preparing budgets for lab activities, exhibitions, and special projects.
• Collaborates with and maintains good working relations with conservation scientists, conservators, curators, and other museum staff.
• Participates in the selection, supervision, and instruction of a conservation fellow.
• Assists in the maintenance of the lab and photo studio, including supplies, records, and equipment.
• May serve as lab point person for health and safety issues.
• Practices and promotes the Guidelines for Practice and Code of Ethics as established by the AIC.

Teaching

• Mentors and instructs casual employees, fellows, or students as appropriate.
• Participates in teaching, including undergraduate and graduate courses on artists' materials and techniques, and the technical examination of art.
• Advises and trains museum staff in the best practices for the care, handling, display, storage, and packing and shipping of objects.

Research

• Stays current with professional philosophies, procedures, and practices in the conservation field through participation in professional organizations, publications, and attendance at meetings, workshops, and seminars.
• Initiates and collaborates on interdisciplinary technical research relevant to museum collections and projects.
• Publishes or presents findings in national and international publications and conferences.

Institutional

• Works with and provides content for Communications, the Division of Academic and Public Programs, Curatorial, and Institutional Advancement, and other departments as needed.
• Presents public gallery talks and participates in programming as requested.
• Supports Collections Management's operation of Art Study Centers and Curricular Galleries.
• Leads and participates in tours for various interest groups.