Description

ABOUT THE MUSEO DE ARTE DE PONCE

Through access to art-based experiences, the Museo de Arte de Ponce pursues to promote discovery, stimulate curiosity, and foster dialogue to enhance the life of its community. It was founded by Luis A. Ferré (1904-2003), a Puerto Rican philanthropist, industrialist and governor of Puerto Rico, who started buying works of art for the Museum by first establishing The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, in 1957.

The Museum opened its doors to the public on January 3, 1959, in a colonial house in Ponce, Puerto Rico. In 1965, the building that is home today to the Museum was designed by the renowned architect Edward Durell Stone. An Annex Building was added in 2010 to expand its facilities and services to the community. The collection of the Museum consists of approximately 4,500 works of art and is renowned for its great examples of Baroque, Pre-Raphaelite and Victorian paintings as well as Puerto Rican and Latin American art.

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1987, the Museo de Arte de Ponce has become an essential institution for the educational development and social transformation of our communities.

ABOUT THE ANTON J. KONRAD CONSERVATION CENTER

The Anton J. Konrad Conservation Center, named after its founder, was established in 1979 to conserve and maintain the Museo de Arte de Ponce’s permanent collection. It has 3,420 square feet and it is divided into 3 service areas: conservation of paintings, conservation of works of art on paper and conservation of sculptures and three-dimensional objects. The Conservation Center was the first specialized space dedicated to the preservation of works of art in Puerto Rico. Today, it lends professional advice to other cultural institutions as well as it actively supports the education of future conservation and museum professionals.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Conservator of Paintings works as a member of the Anton J. Konrad Conservation Center, under the direction of the Chief Conservator and in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. The Associate Conservator of Paintings collaborates with the conservation and restoration of the museum’s permanent collection and those under its temporary custody.  Also, collaborates with condition assessments and conservation treatments for private collections, cultural institutions and other museums, to contribute in the rescue of relevant artistic patrimony.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Associate Conservator of Paintings on is a full-time, exempt position, with a salary range of $40,000 to $60,000 annually. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications.  

BENEFITS

Benefits offerings may differ based on employee status:

• Medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, and organ transplant insurance (fully paid by the Museum).
• Paid time off, including: 15 days of vacation, 12 sick days, birthday day off, funeral leave and 17 museum holidays.
• Short term disability insurance.
• Christmas bonus.
• Relocation fee of $2,000.00.
• 10% discount for staff in Museum Shop.
• Paid memberships for professional associations.
• Free parking space.
• Other benefits may apply.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the conservation and restoration of the museum’s permanent paintings collections and those under its temporary custody (itinerant exhibitions).
• Carry out the evaluation of painting conservation condition of itinerant museum collections and those for loan.
• Collaborate with the good keeping of the equipment and instruments in the painting conservation department and of common Conservation Center physical facilities.
• Carry out general item-by-item surveys.
• Contribute with the short- and long-term conservation and restoration planning of the permanent paintings collection based on the ongoing item-by-item condition assessment.
• Collaborate with condition assessments and conservation treatments for private collections, cultural institutions and other museums, to contribute in the rescue of relevant artistic patrimony.
• Offer public conservation clinics and workshops for museum personnel, collectors, artists, students and the public.
• Provide recommendations for the storage, handling, and display of paintings to ensure their preservation and minimize the risk of damage.
• Collaborate with other members of the conservation team, as well as curators, registrar, education and sustainability.
• Contribute with the development of conservation policies and procedures, including research into new materials and techniques.
• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals and fundraising efforts.  
• Make recommendations to the Chief Conservator for care and treatment conservation requirements of works of art.
• Participate in development and implementation of emergency preparedness, incident and salvage operations.
• Prepare detailed written and photographic documentation of the materials, structure, and condition. Propose conservation treatments including time estimates for works of art for inclusion in object files and TMS.
• Maintain accurate detailed records and prepare written final object treatment reports.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent manual dexterity, as well as exceptional color vision.
• Knowledge of safety aspects of hazardous materials such as solvents, paint fumes and other similar substances.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently to achieve institutional goals and tight deadlines.
• An appreciation for the arts and enthusiasm for furthering the mission of the Museum.
• To be able to stand for more than four (4) hours and to be able to lift a maximum of fifty (50) pounds.
• Highly organized with the ability to implement systems and follow up processes.
• Team player, fair and collegial at all levels.

REQUIREMENTS

Master’s certification in paintings conservation and a bachelor’s degree in art, museum studies, art history, or related field. At least, one (1) year of experience in painting conservation in a museum environment.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications will be accepted only electronically.  Please submit a letter of interest, a CV, a portfolio of recent treatments and their documentation. Documentation should be saved as a single document and sent to: careers@museoarteponce.org   Only qualified candidates will be interviewed. Please reference Associate Conservator of Paintings position opening.   EEO EMPLOYER