Director of Conservation, The Chinati Foundation Job Summary:
The Chinati Foundation is seeking a Director of Conservation to manage the conservation of the museum’s significant collection of permanent installations of contemporary art. The Conservation Department is responsible for the long-term preservation of artworks by thirteen artists set within 34 buildings over 340 acres in the Chihuahuan high desert of Far West Texas. The Director of Conservation oversees the safekeeping and conservation of all works and will manage an active and influential program of treatments and research, including technical and materials analyses. Due to the particular circumstances of installations at the Chinati Foundation, the position requires routine physical maintenance of the artworks in the often extreme environmental conditions of the Chihuahuan high desert. These conditions provide the opportunity for focused and in-depth research in the field of contemporary art as well as in the work of the specific artists represented in the collection. He / She also oversees department staffing, hiring, performance reviews, and budget. The successful candidate will have a Master’s Degree and/or Ph.D. degree, ten years’ experience as an objects conservator, a record of successful treatments and professional publications, and proven ability as a manager. Frequently liaising with other departments at the Chinati Foundation, he / she will have the reputation and skills to initiate collaborations and build partnerships internationally. The individual will consult with other institutions as appropriate on their conservation needs including the Judd Foundation and will conduct negotiations regarding loans, transports and treatments where required. He / she will contribute to researching, developing, and overseeing innovative methodologies for long-term preservation of works of art in support of the Chinati Foundation’s unique standing in the field of contemporary art. The Director of Conservation will report to the Director of the museum and work closely and collaboratively with the departments of Facilities, Administration, Visitor Services, and Education. Major Job Responsibilities: Manages a conservation department of three, including a conservation assistant and an intern, nurturing staff development, soliciting and supervising interns and reviewing job performances Provides expert opinion about the condition of all works in the permanent collection including condition assessments and documentation of the works of art Works with the Director of Facilities, Foreman and maintenance staff in regards to maintenance and improvement of all buildings and structures comprising the Chinati Foundation Conducts routine physical maintenance of the permanent collection, often in extreme environmental conditions Manages loans of works of art for special exhibitions including preparation of loan contracts and organization of transports in collaboration with other departments Advises on the presentation of works of art for special exhibitions while overseeing and facilitating their safe installation Develops and oversees best practices for conservation treatment and the installation of works of art in the collection Works collaboratively with the Director, department heads and all staff to further the programs and mission of the Chinati Foundation Provides guidance in regards to the safekeeping of the artworks to museum staff including Visitor Services, housekeeping, and security Administers department budget Qualifications: MA in conservation or equivalent degree preferred 10+ years experience in conservation Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Background in chemistry and physics and knowledge of fabrication methods for 3-dimensional objects in diverse media Proficiency in MS Office, email and basic office software Managerial and diplomatic skills Scholarship and publications A record as an effective communicator, networker, and team player, who thrives in a highly collaborative, dynamic environment Positions Supervised Conservation Assistant Conservation Intern Compensation Commensurate with experience and abilities. Benefits: employer-provided health insurance, employer sponsored 403(b) plan, flexible work environment, and generous time off. Candidates should send cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and three references to the Director of the Chinati Foundation, P.O. Box 1135 Marfa Texas 79843. For more information visit www.chinati.org <http://www.chinati.org/>. The Chinati Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. THE CHINATI FOUNDATION The Chinati Foundation is a contemporary art museum founded by the artist Donald Judd (1928-1994) in the small, remote community of Marfa, Texas. Chinati occupies 34 buildings on 340 acres of a former military base called Fort D.A. Russell, amid the austere, vast beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert. Here, as Judd intended, the interplay of art, architecture and the land form a cohesive, intensely thoughtful whole, where the isolation and openness of this rugged country and the presence of the sky enhance the experience of the museum and its works. The museum’s collection includes permanent installations by artists Carl Andre, Ingólfur Arnarsson, John Chamberlain, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Roni Horn, Ilya Kabakov, Richard Long, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, David Rabinowitch and John Wesley. In addition, the permanent installation of a new work by Robert Irwin, opened to the public in July 2016. The museum's annual operating budget is $2.3 million, and capacity has grown at an annual rate of 7-10% over the last five years. Chinati has an endowment that is currently valued at $13.2 million. In 2017, Chinati will complete a master plan for the conservation, restoration, maintenance, and development of the museum’s entire collection and complex of 34 buildings situated on 340 acres of high desert grassland. The Chinati Foundation organizes special exhibitions, which either focus on aspects of the work of artists represented in the permanent collection or feature the work of artists linked to Judd’s interests. The museum also sponsors arts and education programs, including artists’ residencies, college and university internships, children's art classes, international symposia (the proceedings of which are published), seminars, performances, concerts and other annual celebrations. The museum publishes an award-winning annual newsletter, which chronicles its activities and has become one of the most respected publications of its kind in America. Attendance continues its 30% annual growth rate. This past year, over 35,000 visitors came to view the collection. ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Archives through August 2016 at http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/ Archives from September 2016 onward at https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
