Caring for contemporary art requires problem-solving that diverges from traditionally prescribed conservation activities. The SFMOMA Conservation Fellowship provides immersive training in the conservation of contemporary art, building upon SFMOMA’s strengths in collaborative practice and engagement across many disciplines, including artists and their representatives. In addition to performing technical examination and treatment on works in the museum’s collection, the Fellow will delve into the non-traditional methods that are employed in creating and caring for contemporary works of art. Effective documentation of these methods will also be explored, since compiling information about artists’ materials, processes, and intentions may be among the most important contributions conservators of contemporary art can make toward future care of collections.
In keeping with the nature of contemporary art, this two-year Fellowship is designed to initiate constructive dialogue among department conservators (including paper, paintings, objects, photographs, and time-based media). A primary supervisor will be selected based on the Fellow’s area of interest and prospective projects. Together they will develop a structure for the two-year term which highlights two main streams of focus: a self-directed research project related to departmental, division, and museum programming and goals, and immersive training in core museum activities including exhibitions, acquisitions, loans, and holistic collection care.
The ideal candidate is an emerging conservator interested in contemporary art conservation and is excited to investigate how activities across the preservation-restoration spectrum manifest expansively when caring for complex artworks in a museum environment. Given our upcoming programming, we are looking for a candidate who has demonstrated a strong interest in the holistic care of one or more of the following: design, electronic/time-based media, paintings/painted surfaces, preventive care, and three-dimensional objects. We are actively exploring how documentation is a pathway to create a more inclusive and accessible community and would love for our new team member to join us in exploring alternative methods to communicate our practice.
Centering social justice values rooted in creating a more inclusive, diverse, sustainable, and compassionate community is core to the work that we collectively do at SFMOMA. To facilitate this, we are committed to fostering a work environment where all team members feel comfortable sharing and growing through the reciprocal exchange of information.
Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, Temporary (2 years)
Pay Rate: $54,000/year, $2,000/year travel and research stipend, and benefits
The Fellowship in the Conservation of Contemporary Art begins on Monday, September 11, 2023.
Job posting open date: 12/29/22
Job posting closing date: 1/31/23
For additional information or to apply visit the SFMOMA posting here: https://jobs.lever.co/sfmoma/956439b7-d44b-49f7-8dbf-194a558cb67a
SAN FRANCISCO, CA /CONSERVATION-FELLOWS /FELLOWSHIP/ HYBRID
Photo credits: SFMOMA/Richard Barns