Conservator of Asian Paintings

Job Details

Description

The Cleveland Museum of Art welcomes applications for a full-time Conservator of Asian Paintings specializing in Chinese paintings and prints. Working within the June and Simon K.C. Li Center for Chinese Paintings Conservation, the Conservator of Asian Paintings is responsible for the conservation and preservation of the museum’s Chinese and Himalayan paintings and prints, in consultation with the chief conservator, chief curator, and Asian art curator. This includes their examination, documentation, and treatment for acquisition, storage, exhibition, and loans. The Conservator of Asian Paintings is responsible for determining if treatment is required, making treatment recommendations, and carrying out and/or supervising conservation treatments and preparations for mounting and display. Treatments are typically based on traditional methods and the use of a wide variety of Asian conservation materials but may entail the use of innovative techniques or Western conservation methods when necessary. Treatment may include remedial repair, and remounting, and requires the documentation of treatments by written and photographic documentation. The Conservator of Asian Paintings leads individual treatment and research initiatives and contributes toward efforts made in the context of the museum’s strategic plan and conservation department priorities. They may be required to supervise installations of artworks and to travel to accompany loans to external institutions. They lead and initiate activities in the Li Center according to the Center’s mission, including administrative duties such as ensuring safety compliance, budgeting, project management, supply and equipment ordering, management of staff, and general organization. Most importantly, the Conservator of Asian Paintings mentors, trains, and supervises Li Center fellows and interns. They will continue the Center’s collaboration and professional exchange with colleagues in Asia, Europe and the United States.

The successful candidate will join a convivial, generous, and skilled conservation department consisting of ten conservators, three technicians, and a lab coordinator, along with numerous interns (pre-program to graduate) and fellows. The Conservation team is committed to the mentorship and support of emerging conservators, and regularly hosts pre-program conservation interns, graduate interns, and post-graduate fellows with the support of substantial endowment funds; the Li Center itself has dedicated fellowship and internship funds and consistently hosts at least one fellow and one intern. The conservation team is an active part of the public program and engages regularly with the museum’s visitors, and the Li Center receives regularly VIP and guest delegations from all over the world. The department also has access to the significant resources of the Cleveland Museum of Art, including a dedicated conservation technical imaging specialist and an outstanding library and archive, which is one of the largest in the nation, prioritizes collecting conservation literature, and supports a dedicated research librarian who assists with conservation-specific queries.

About the June and Simon K. C. Li Center for Chinese Paintings Conservation

Established in 2018 with support from June and Simon K. C. Li and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the June and Simon K.C. Li Center for Chinese Paintings Conservation has positioned the CMA as a nexus for both the treatment of Chinese Paintings and the training of qualified conservators. The CMA’s Li Center for Chinese Paintings Conservation develops, educates, and exposes Chinese paintings conservators to knowledge and best practices through an annual endowed residency program for emerging Chinese paintings conservators. The June and Simon K. C. Li Center for Chinese Paintings Conservation is a leader in the field amongst very few peers including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Museum of Asian Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

About The Museum And Its Collection

The Cleveland Museum of Art is known for its Asian art and holds one of the best collections of Chinese classical paintings in the country and outside Asia. Chronicling the development of Chinese paintings from the 10th to 21st centuries, the museum’s collection is highly regarded in the United States, Europe and Asia for its breadth and quality, as well as for the rarity of many individual works. In general, the Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 objects and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. A major renovation and expansion project completed in 2014 has transformed the museum into a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, performing arts and art education. One of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation and free of charge to all, the Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the University Circle neighborhood. The city and surrounding areas contain excellent cultural institutions, outdoor parks, and schools. Cleveland has a robust art and culture scene, including one of the world’s finest symphonies. Local resources and collaborators include Case Western Reserve University with its innovative maker space, think[box], the Cleveland Clinic, and ICA-Art Conservation, which is the nation’s oldest regional lab.

For more information on the department please visit https://www.clevelandart.org/conservation

For more information on the museum’s strategic plan, please visit https://www.clevelandart.org/for-the-benefit-of-all-the-people-forever

Requirements And Key Competencies

• Required: Bachelor’s degree and completion of a graduate-level course of study in Conservation, or equivalent combination of education and training, along with at least ten years of post-graduation or post-apprenticeship experience working as an Asian Paintings Conservator
• Required: a thorough knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of Asian painting conservation and experience in their application
• Required: a solid foundation in the history and properties of pigments, papers, silks, dyes, and other materials used in Asian works of art, as well as knowledge and use of specialized tools and established conservation techniques
• Required: a demonstrated ability to work successfully with others, e.g., Museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies to achieve institutional objectives and fulfill the mission of the Museum
• Required: excellent written and oral communication skills
• Required: an ability to work with databases, word processing, networking systems, and other computing tools that the staff is expected to use on a regular basis
• Required: good English language speaking and writing skills
• Preferable: speaking, reading, and writing ability in Chinese
• Preferable: experience managing employees and/or interns
• Preferable: a broad knowledge of museological practices and collections management, a familiarity with the types and materials represented in the museum’s collection of Asian paintings, and strong records of achievement in the field
• Preferable: awareness of general conservation concepts and the American Institute for Conservation ethical code
  
  

Note: The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Manual dexterity is frequently required as duties call for the handling of artwork, and operation of tools and equipment. Job duties may involve standing, walking, sitting, occasional climbing, bending, and kneeling. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close, color, and peripheral vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and the risk of radiation, though appropriate training, PPE, and safety equipment are provided. Occasional work outside or in satellite locations may be required.

General Responsibilities

• Communicates regularly with department head to ensure workflow is manageable and on track and that the highest museum standards are being realized in the care of the collections.
• Examines Asian paintings, assesses condition, prepares examination reports, arranges for photographic documentation, and proposes and performs treatment for Asian paintings in the collection. Prepares examination reports to provide descriptions of materials used in fabrication; assessment of condition problems; requirements for handling, storage, exhibition, and travel, as well as recommendations for treatment. As necessary proposes and carries out additional analysis to identify materials and techniques of fabrication used in works of art already in the collection and for works being considered for acquisition. A variety of analyses and tests may be performed to determine media and support identification, age, structure, and stability, and to help determine the outcome of various treatment options.
• Carries out treatments to stabilize and restore, as possible, the physical and/or visual integrity of Asian paintings. As such, the Conservator applies general knowledge of conservation methods, materials, techniques, and mounting styles. They are responsible for the selection of the most appropriate materials, procedures, and methods for the treatment of scrolls and screens, including: the removal of lining paper from paintings on silk and paper; making paper and silk patches; preparing pastes, glues, and other materials; preparing papers and silks for linings and mountings by dyeing silk and paper to an appropriate color; trimming and pasting paper sheets together; cutting silk for mountings; applying new backings; compensating for damage or loss; and other required treatments. Major treatments may entail working in close collaboration with the conservators at other institutions or bringing in outside specialists as necessary. If work is to be carried out on artwork that is not the specialty of the conservator, then the conservator is required to work with the department head and/or chief conservator and curator responsible for that object to find and oversee a suitable conservator for the treatment. Works with senior staff on complex conservation projects and takes the leadership role in planning and directing appropriate projects.
• Evaluates media, supports and conditions of all potential acquisitions of Asian Paintings and prepares a thorough written report documenting findings. For new acquisitions provides recommendations for future mounts, housing, storage, handling, display, and travel. Confirms authenticity as requested and possible. Works closely with curators in these evaluations.
• Examines Asian paintings to determine if they can be lent safely to outside organizations; examines works of art upon their return to the museum. Advises the curator, conservation technicians, registrars/art handlers and packer on loan requirements, including handling, travel, and display recommendations. As necessary confers with chief conservator about special requirements for loan. Examines loan paintings not belonging to the museum in comparison with prior condition reports and writes reports and documents the condition of non-CMA Asian paintings for those without documentation.
• Acts as a physical and/or virtual courier for works of art from the collection to outside institutions as approved by the chief conservator and as regular work schedule allows. Travels to assess condition of possible museum acquisitions.
• Advises curators and other museum personnel on the maintenance of a proper environment for the optimum preservation of the collection of Asian paintings, museum-wide. Includes monitoring environmental conditions in museum galleries and storage areas and preparing Asian paintings for storage. Makes recommendations for the safe display of Asian paintings including recommendations for display cases, installation, light levels, temperature, relative humidity, and handling precautions. When problems are found, investigates the best course of action. Trains other staff members who handle the collection in the proper handling of materials in this part of the museum’s collection.
• Conducts research relevant to the field of Asian paintings conservation, with a focus on the CMA collection and exhibitions including objects. As appropriate and as possible shares results and/or presents information in lectures or in publications, which may include e-publications and content for social media and the internet.
• Mentors and supervises interns and fellows in their lab and takes an active part of the hiring and selection process for more junior staff and intern/fellows in their lab.
• Consults with department head before the purchase of lab supplies and equipment. Keeps lab organized and clean with all hazardous materials properly stored and labeled.
• As budget allows, pursues professional development opportunities by attending conservation workshops and meetings on an annual basis.
• Assists with work in museum galleries, including the installation of works of Asian paintings and special exhibitions including Asian paintings, and the handling of emergency or other situations as needed, including possibly during evenings and/or weekends.
• Participates in exhibition preparations as needed. Includes attending planning meetings and contributing to public events.
• Educates the public on the field of conservation and carries out other outreach efforts. Conducts classes and tours and gives lectures as required. Most notably works with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) faculty to augment their course curriculum in art history and museum studies through on-site visits and practical sessions in the Asian Paintings Conservation lab. Participation in the classes that involve the relationship between the CWRU graduate art history program and CMA conservation department is required.
• Performs and/or participates in special projects for the chief conservator and senior staff.
• Participates in fundraising activities as requested by the chief conservator and senior staff.
• Enters all findings and written documentation in the museum database. Ensures the photographic documentation related to the conservation of Asian paintings is properly labeled and stored.
• Assists in the maintenance and use of analytical equipment, as requested. Participates in training related to the use and maintenance of this equipment.
• Answers questions and advises museum associates and private collectors on conservation and preservation questions when requested by the curators, chief conservator, and registrar, and assists other outside callers as needed.
  
  

Salary: Starting from $85,000/year. Full-time work is 35 hours per week; occasional overtime might be necessary.

The position comes with a generous package of benefits, listed below.

Application Procedure

Application materials will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For consideration, please submit the following materials in English. PDF format is strongly preferred, and please be sure to include your last name in the title of each document.

• A letter stating your interests and intent in applying for the position, including your desired position rank (associate or full) and applicable experiences
• Curriculum vitae
• Online portfolio (preferred) or examples of examination and treatment reports with images
• Contact list for three professional references, indicating how you know them and their relationship with you
  
  

Full-time Benefits Include

• Partner level membership to CMA
• Free, unlimited admission to select Cleveland Museum of Art ticketed exhibitions (two adult member tickets per visit, subject to availability)
• 50% off admission to select ticketed exhibitions for members' guests
• Free admission to select ticketed exhibitions for unlimited children, 17 and younger, when accompanied by a member
• Priority registration and discounts for museum art classes for adults and children
• 20% discount in the museum store
• 10% discount in the museum restaurant and café
• Annual subscription to Cleveland Art members magazine
• Free Garage Parking
• Your employment relationship with the museum qualifies you for free or discounted admissions to other cultural institutions such as the Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Zoo, etc.
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Voluntary Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• HSA
• FSA