Conservation Assistant, Costume and Textiles
Job Summary
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Conservation Assistant, Costume and Textiles to join the RISD Museum. The Conservation Assistant, Costume and Textiles is an integral member of the department providing vital support to the museum’s textile collection.
The Conservation Assistant communicates and collaborates with other departments across the museum, with a focus on collections preservation, object movement, student mentorship, and supporting the textile conservator in charge on conservation treatments and preparing objects for exhibition and loan. This position works in close collaboration with members of the Costume and Textiles department, as well as with curators across museum disciplines, registrars, and installation staff. The successful candidate will recognize and value diversity as a central to excellence.
We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.
Essential Functions:
- Under guidance of the textile conservator, and in collaboration with curators, registrars and preparators, assist with the ongoing care and preservation of the Costume and Textiles collection, with a focus on collaboration and inclusive, ethical care.
- Implement and maintain collections care and storage improvements. Reorganize and rehouse objects with a focus on preservation and access.
- Assist textile conservator with preparing work for gallery rotations, exhibitions, and loans, including condition reporting and mount making. Assist with exhibition installation, maintenance, and deinstallation.
- Assist textile conservator with conservation treatments, documentation, and related reports. Develop toward independently and actively engaging with conservator(s) and curator(s) to research, design, and carry out conservation treatments.
- Assess and record condition of new acquisitions; work with conservator and curator to implement appropriate storage for these items; ensure that new locations are tracked in the database.
- In consultation with departmental conservator(s) and curator(s), and in collaboration with the Curatorial Assistant for Costume and Textiles, support day-to-day collections care, with a focus on facilitating access to the collection.
- Prepare objects for museum photography sessions and mount/dress textiles and garments as needed.
- Pull collections objects from storage for class and open hours visits; return objects to storage.
- Alongside departmental staff, provide day-to-day oversight, guidance, and instruction to interns and work study students as needed and oversee them in collections care tasks and in handling of the collection.
Additional Functions:
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Participate in the larger field and the museum profession through such activities as lectures, written contributions, and attendance at symposia, and professional workshops and meetings.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field including but not limited to Textiles or Conservation.
- Collaborative, teamwork approach
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- High attention to detail and ability to multitask and work independently.
- Ability to effectively perform work with a lens of and sensitivity to diversity and inclusion.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
- Prior museum conservation experience desirable.
Union:
No
Work Schedule:
35 hours per week; 12 months per year
Employment Status:
Full-time; Non-exempt; Regular
Hiring Range:
$23 – $24.30/hour
Work Modality
On-Campus
Documents Needed to Apply:
Resume (Required)
Cover Letter (Required)
Apply Online: https://risd.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/RISD/job/XMLNAME–Term–Conservation-Assistant–Costume-and-Textiles_R-01585-1
Categories: Job Postings