Furniture and Frame Conservation Graduate Internship

The department of Conservation and Scientific Research is an integral part of the Museum’s stated purpose to hold its collections in trust for future generations. Members of the department promote the long-term preservation of artworks through development of conservation treatments, study of materials and techniques, scholarly research and documentation. The department follows internationally established standards to document and maintain the aesthetic and physical integrity of works of art through six conservation disciplines, an analytical facility, and close collaboration with collections management colleagues responsible for safe exhibition, storage, transport, and the collections database.

The Furniture and Frame Conservation Lab seeks a third-year Conservation Graduate intern, for up to one year starting September 13, 2024, to assist with the condition assessment of furniture, frames, and other related wooden artifacts, including photographic and written documentation, technical examination, and select scientific analysis. Intern will participate as an integral part of the conservation team in all aspects of the lab’s work, gaining hands-on experience in a variety of activities to further develop conservation skills, with opportunity for in-depth examinations and treatments, research related to the collections, and collaboration with conservators, collections care specialists, and curators. Intern will be expected to carry out tasks in support of the day-to-day operations of the lab. Intern will be supervised by members of the Furniture and Frame Conservation division, which is responsible for the preventative care, documentation, treatment, and display of furniture, frames, and other wooden artifacts.

The intern must commit to work onsite 35 hours per week, within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters), from Sept 13, 2024 through Aug 22, 2025, including attendance at the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course on days to be announced at the orientation.

The intern will be paid at a rate of $19.00 per hour.

As we amplify our efforts toward becoming a truly inclusive institution, ensuring that diversity, equity, and access are lived values, we actively encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply to the program.

Essential Functions:

• Assisting in the conservation of wooden and related works of art in the MFA’s collections
• Conducting and documenting examinations
• Undertaking research necessary to support conservation treatments
• Proposing treatments and executing treatments under supervision
• Preparing written and photographic documentation for exhibitions/loans
• Performing other duties as appropriate

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a recognized graduate art conservation training program that requires an internship specializing in the conservation of Furniture and/or wooden artifacts, (Persons who have graduated within one year prior to start of internship are welcome to apply)
• Ability to work well in a team environment focused on learning conservation skills and techniques
• Excellent hand skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Must be comfortable working in public view
• Previous museum experience desirable
• Previous woodworking experience desirable
• Facility with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database programs (training in use of the Museum’s database system will be provided)
• Ability to perform tasks in professional manner and with discretion when working with confidential records
• Ability to commit to work onsite 35 hours per week, within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters), from Sept 13, 2024 through Aug 22, 2025, including attendance at the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course on days to be announced at the orientation.
• Ability to attend orientation on Fri, Sept 13, 2024, 10am-3:30pm.

How to Apply

*Applications not conforming to these guidelines will not be accepted nor considered.

1. Combine your cover letter and resume into a single document, (Word or PDF)
2. Upload the single documentas your resume via the ADP portal Internships | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ASAP before February 9, 2024.
   1. Also, submit two (2) reports on conservation work projects.
3. *Additionally, one letter of recommendation is required and must be sent separately to conservation@mfa.org by the respective author indicating clearly the applicant’s name and the Furniture and Frame Fall 2024 Internship position.
   1. Please contact conservation@mfa.org with any questions.

*Candidates may apply for no more than two internships per season, and must submit a separate cover letter/resume document is required for each position.