The National Music Museum (NMM) at the University of South Dakota invites applications for a Conservator, a permanent, twelve-month position to commence July 1, 2022. The successful candidate, working in close collaboration with the NMM’s curatorial staff, will conduct technical examinations and assess the condition of musical instruments and other artifacts in the Museum’s collections. The conservator will maintain a continuous preventive conservation program, including performing and supervising environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, and object housing/rehousing. Working within a policy of minimum intervention, the Conservator will execute conservation treatments to stabilize the condition of objects and undertake restoration, when desirable, with continuous record keeping. The Conservator will teach in the Museum’s graduate program in the History of Musical Instruments when the program restarts in Fall 2023, participating in the development and execution of the curriculum and assisting with the supervision of Graduate Assistants and Interns working on Conservation projects. Conservator will work with an exhibition design team to prepare instruments for exhibit, including the supervision of professional mount making. Top priority for the NMM is the preparation and mounting of approximately 700 instruments for the reopening of permanent galleries. The Conservator will also be responsible for arranging, equipping, and maintaining a new Conservation Lab in the expanded museum complex, as well arranging a smaller satellite Lab in the Center for Preservation and Research. The Conservator may also have opportunity to publish, present, and actively participate in professional organizations, especially pertaining to advances in preservation and conservation.
Terminal or Masters degree in conservation, musical instrument restoration, or closely related field required. A minimum of seven years of conservation experience required, with at least three years post-degree preferred. Excellent communication skills required. Two years in a supervisory role desired. Teaching experience preferred. Previous working knowledge of musical instrument materials and technology is strongly preferred. Experience in using collection management software is essential.
Salary commensurate with experience.
Applications accepted online only at https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu. Submit a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, and a digital portfolio containing three treatment reports of diverse media, including assessment, proposal, and execution of projects (with photo documentation). Questions about the online submission process can be directed to:
Monica Tiahrt, College of Fine Arts
Dean’s Office, USD
605-658-3445
Apply online at https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu/postings/27628. For application assistance or accommodation, call 605-658-3660. EEO.
Categories: Job Postings