Collections Care Specialist, Asian Conservation

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, seeks a full-time Collections Care Specialist to fill a permanent position in the Asian Conservation Studio. Under the direction of the Pamela and Peter Voss Head of Asian Conservation, the Collections Care Specialist will prepare Eastern works on paper for loan, exhibition, and storage.

Essential Functions:

• Assist with projects related to storage and installation of the Asian 2D collection and protect artworks by providing archival housing, promoting systematic methods of organization, and adhering to approved standards for handling, matting, framing, storage, and transport.

• Mat and frame artworks for loan and exhibition.

• Assess matted or framed artworks to ensure hinging and backing materials and all housing materials are of proper quality so that artworks are safe and secure within their frames or housing.

• Evaluate risks and employ safe procedures for removing fragile artworks from their frames, which may be in advanced stages of deterioration.

• Coordinate with curators, exhibition and design staff, registrars, and loan partners, communicating special requirements and costs associated with matting, framing, and installation, to arrive at agreeable methods to display artworks while observing conservation protocols.

• Provide safe transport of Asian 2D artworks within the Museum, for photography, packing and shipping, installation, and storage.

• Perform data entry as required in collections management database, in particular recording object locations and movement.

• Affix acid-free paper hinges directly to artworks with extreme care and precision, and attach artworks within mats to secondary supports or backboards.

• Produce and custom-fit archival “window” mats and select appropriate types of frames or innovate methods of matting and framing to achieve aesthetically-pleasing results while adhering strictly to Museum conservation standards for materials and techniques.

• Assist in preparing cost estimates for mating and framing artworks included in major internal and external exhibitions that involve Asian pictorial works, including photographs and postcards.

• Meet regularly and attend planning meetings with conservators, curators, and other staff to coordinate logistics for installation and dismantling of exhibitions and discuss other relevant factors in order to assist in the timely execution of exhibitions.

• Support the accessioning process for new acquisitions, by preparing them for display at meetings of the Committee on Collections and labeling for storage.

• Coordinate the shipping and receiving of incoming and outgoing loans with conservators, curators, and registrars. Oversee or carry out preliminary packing of unframed works, such as screens, scrolls, and books, in preparation for final packing or crating by shippers. Condition Artsorb cassettes for inclusion in crates as required. Uncrate and/or unpack artworks.

• Maintain stock of supplies, tools, and equipment, and save records regarding purchases with careful attention to keep costs within budgetary allotments.

• Promote maintenance of a clean, safe, and orderly workplace.

• Perform other duties as responsibilities necessitate.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in art related field or equivalent knowledge and experience.

• At least three years of practical experience in art handling and preparation of works on paper, preferably in a museum environment or with a commercial framer whose cliental includes accredited museums.

• Knowledge of inherent vulnerability of paper-based artworks in order to execute appropriate care and handling.

• Comfort with working with high-value artworks.

• Knowledge of conservation concerns, archival materials, and storage and installation standards for works on paper.

• Familiarity with the latest in field practices and techniques.

• Excellent communication and organization skills, and ability to work well under pressure and collaboratively as part of a team.

• Facility with the TMS database preferred.

Salary Range:

Full-Time Salary, 35 hours per week

Salary: $45,070

This position is affiliated with the United Auto Workers Union.

Application materials must be received by June 16, 2023. For consideration, please submit letter of interest and résumé using the online portal. Please contact conservation@mfa.org with any questions.

The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.