Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in Media Conservation

Posted on Thu, 02/02/2017 - 09:15

(September 2017- August 2020)

The Conservation Department at The Museum of Modern Art is pleased to offer a two-year fellowship in Media Conservation, starting September 2017.   Working as part of the media conservation team, and responsible for the preservation of the audio, film, performance, software, and video-based artworks in the collection, the fellow will be involved in a variety of activities, including acquisition, exhibition, collection care, research, and projects related to media conservation. 

The fellow is strongly encouraged to present and publish the results of their research and projects.  The fellowship also provides an opportunity to acquire comprehensive training in media conservation in a museum setting.

Fellowship activities involve collaboration across departments at the Museum, including Audio Visual, curatorial, Exhibition Planning and Administration, Information Technology, and Collection Management and Exhibition Registration.

This postgraduate fellowship is the second to be offered in a series of three overlapping fellowships within a larger four-year Media Conservation Initiative. The fellow will have the opportunity to participate in the planning and preparation of workshops and peer forums, which form part of the Media Conservation Initiative at MoMA.

Please note: the first two years of the fellowship will be at MoMA with the possibility of a third year at a related institution.

Minimum requirements: Master’s degree in conservation or related discipline, such as audiovisual archiving and preservation, computer science, film/television production, or information science, and familiarity with the AIC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Preferred qualifications: Candidates will ideally possess one or more of the following:

  • Prior experience in the conservation of time-based media artwork.
  • Experience with condition- assessing media works (video, film, software, etc.) using various hardware and software tools (GUI, command-line).
  • Experience characterizing and documenting media formats and complex installations.
  • Understanding of digital-preservation principles and practices.
  • Familiarity with the installation of time-based media artwork.

Stipend: $45,000 plus benefits and vacation, with $3,775 for research and travel.

Candidates must submit a statement of interest, a current CV, and a list of references, to jobs@moma.org, no later than March 1, 2017.  Please reference the position title in the subject line.

The Museum of Modern Art is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.

The Museum of Modern Art’s Media Conservation Initiative is made possible through a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.