Description

Andrew W. Mellon Fellow, Interdisciplinary (Regular, Full-Time)

Conservation Center

Reporting to the Senior Conservator, Paintings the Andrew W. Mellon Interdisciplinary Fellow will liaise between two departments, working with conservators and curators to appropriately examine, document, and treat artworks both onsite and offsite. This position splits between Conservation treatment work in the Paintings lab and a research project with Arts of the Ancient Americas. The interdisciplinary research project between the Conservation Center and Art of the Ancient Americas will involve a comparative study of stucco-painted ceramics from Teotihuacan and the Maya area. Any new findings are to be published and presented within the field. 

Responsibilities: 

• Performs conservation treatments on a variety of media from the Museums’ permanent collection
• Examines works of art to determine condition and need for treatment, collaborating with paintings, objects, paper, and textiles conservators
• Writes and reviews condition reports for works of art for exhibitions, outgoing loans, and new acquisitions.
• Provides advice on environmental conditions for works of art in storage, in transit, and on display
• Conducts research as necessary to determine appropriate conservation treatments
• Performs pertinent treatment on works of art and accessories with a focus on preventive conservation
• Uses digital tools and databases to organize and update information in databases, including but not limited to condition reports and photographs
• Collaborates within the Conservation Center and Museum staff on various levels as it pertains to works of art and preservation
• Works with conservation and curatorial teams to apply technical analysis, observations, and art historical research to authenticate and better understand the dating, location of origin, functions, and artistic traditions behind certain ancient American stucco-painted ceramics objects
• Investigates the postfire materials and technologies used to paint and decorate Mesoamerican ceramics using non-invasive and minimally invasive scientific techniques
• At the supervisor’s request, coordinates with other departments and remains informed on loans, transit of art, exhibitions, and permanent collection loans, keeping the supervisor informed
• Travel to and from Museum locations across Los Angeles as needed
• Performs other duties or special projects as assigned
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time.

Requirements

Qualifications: 

• Master’s Degree in Paintings Conservation or equivalent conservation treatment experience
• Experience conducting research
• Strong interest in the art history of Indigenous American cultures
• Great communication and collaboration skills