Milwaukee Art Museum Job Description Position Title: Conservation Specialist-Mount Maker & Framer Job: Full Time, non-exempt, hourly Supervisor: Senior Conservator Date: 2/2023 Deadline: March 24th, 2023. Union Minimum Rate: $20.43/hr Apply at https://mam.org/involved/jobs.php General Purpose: The primary responsibility of this position is to design and fabricate custom supporting mounts for objects following the Museum’s established practices. Secondary responsibilities include custom frame artworks for exhibition, storage, and travel. Install objects in galleries both inside cases and on gallery walls or pedestals. Collaborate with conservators, couriers, curators, designers, facilities, preparators, registrars, and vendors to facilitate appropriate mounting specifications. Education/Experience Requirements:
High school diploma.
Art handling knowledge and experience.
Minimum of 2 years framing / mount-making experience – specifically related to the display of fine art.
Basic mathematical abilities for accurate measurement, instrument readings, and the calculation or ratio implementation of formulae.
Advanced woodworking skills: proficient in using power and hand tools including power saws, routers, compressors, sanders, drills, hand chisels, gouges, carving tools, planes, files, numerous clamp designs, as well as the sharpening, maintenance and basic repair of all tooling.
Glazing skills: accurate and safe cutting of glass, acrylic, and poly-carbonate panels for the glazing of artworks or components of storage containers. Ability to identify the various materials and their qualities.
Metal fabrication skills: including accurate measurement using precision micrometers, scales, calipers, etc.; soldering with electric iron and gas flame; metal forming and shaping by filing, shaping, drilling and basic use of machine shop tools; basic heat treating and annealing of steel and brass.
Painting skills: advanced use of brush, aerosol, and air-brush with either oil or acrylic paints.
Administrative skills: maintaining paper and electronic files pertaining to frame shop work. Basic computer skills and photography experience for image generation in the documentation of fabrication methods and processes. Procurement, safe storage and maintenance of all frame shop tooling and supplies.
Duties & Responsibilities: Mount-Making / Framing: (60%)
Prepares artworks for exhibition including framing and construction of mounts
Fabrication and modification of permanent collection frames; conceives and builds new frames for display when needed
Design and fabrication of mounts for three-dimensional artworks, including the mastery of power and hand woodworking and metal fabrication tools, soldering and welding and custom finishing to wood and metal surfaces.
Manages inventory and maintenance of standard sized exhibition frames for works on paper and associated materials required for framing / mounting works of art (matboard, Plexiglas, Moulding stock)
Knowledge and adherence to all safety standards and protocols regarding the Museum’s shop and equipment. Documentation and review of protocols annually.
Collection Maintenance: (20%)
Assists in daily gallery monitoring including the visual inspection and maintenance of exhibition spaces and storage areas.
Dusts and lightly cleans collection objects as needed under the direction of the Associate Conservators
Maintains an inventory of tools, equipment and supplies for collections maintenance; submits requests for supplies and materials as needed
Knowledgeable in the use of TMS for data entry supporting conservation initiatives as directed by the Senior Conservator and in coordination with the Collections Database Administrator
Project Assistance: (20%)
Assists conservators and art preparators in the handling of art when needed
Performs light preparatory work for conservation projects under the direction of the project conservator
Advises on the installation of artworks regarding mounting for purposes of display
Assists in art movement to/from storage locations; updates electronic records as appropriate
Physical Requirements:
Lift 50 pounds
Have excellent mobility and hand/eye coordination
Close, distant, color, peripheral, depth perception and focused vision.
DEAI Statement The Milwaukee Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer. The Museum recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We are committed to recruiting, developing, compensating, and retaining professional staff that reflect our community. We aspire to be a diverse workplace where talented people want to come, stay, and do their best work. We stand committed to the work ahead, informed by our community, which we will support with our best thinking, our deepest empathy, and the courage to embody the convictions shared in our Strategic Direction. MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM 700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202 mam.org
Please contact MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM directly with any enquiries.