Conservator of Costumes and Textiles

Philadelphia Art Museum

At the Philadelphia Art Museum, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

The Conservator of Costume and Textiles will perform conservation examinations and treatments on the museum’s collection of textiles, including tapestries, carpets, woven and embroidered fabric, costume, contemporary fiber art, architectural textiles, and composite works of art from all museum collections. The museum has major holdings of American, European, South Asian, and East Asian works of art, including Contemporary Art, Design, Craft, expanding collections of African and African Diasporic Art.

The Conservator will work independently and collaboratively to conduct research to gain further understanding of materials and techniques used by artists, manufacturers, and fabricators. They will serve as an integral member of the museum’s conservation staff and assume leadership in activities relating to exhibitions, installations, loans, preventive care of the permanent collections and building, and professional and public engagement.

The Conservator will maintain the data tracking system for the museum’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, and works with the Facilities and Operations Division, curators, and gallery maintenance staff to plan for and establish systems and long-term goals for the prevention and mitigation of insect infestations.

How You Will Contribute

• Examine, conduct research, and perform conservation treatment on a range of objects which contain fiber, including costumes, textiles, fiber art and multi-media objects.
• Evaluate and document the condition of works of art requested for loan, exhibition, or acquisition consideration.
• Advise on housing, installation, storage, mount-making, handling, packing, and the transport of works of art.
• Collaborate with conservation scientists in chemical and instrumental analysis and characterization of materials of works of art.
• Carry out analysis and evaluation of artworks using techniques such as xradiography, microfade testing, and visible, fluorescence, and polarized light microscopies.

• • Work collaboratively across departments for exhibition planning, emergency planning, building care and maintenance, and capital projects.
  • Mentor and train conservation junior staff, post-graduate fellows, interns, and technicians.
  • Lead and participate in ongoing preservation activities to contribute to the preventive care of museum collections, including environmental monitoring, IPM, storage planning, and materials testing.
  • Maintain the data collection and tracking system for the museum’s IPM program. Collaborate with conservation colleagues, the Facilities and Operations Division, curators, and gallery maintenance staff to plan for and establish systems and long-term goals for the prevention and mitigation of insect infestations. Work to educate the museum staff about IPM.
  • Participate as a member of the Conservation Division in a range of institutional initiatives and functions, as well as in professional and public engagement. These may include museum committees, staff presentations, and teaching and conferences.
  • Assist in the administration of the Costume and Textiles Conservation Department including development of budget, annual report of highlights, fund-raising, grant-writing, record keeping, and maintenance of chemical inventory and safety protocols.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Your background and experience include:

• Graduate degree from a recognized Art Conservation training program, or equivalent training, with a specialization in textile conservation.
• Minimum of 10 years of postgraduate experience in the field.
• Significant experience in textile conservation at an advanced level of responsibility in a museum/collection setting
• Proven ability to plan and execute a variety of complex conservation treatments, and experience with a wide range of collections.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and liaise and communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated visual, manual, and scholarly aptitudes. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.