GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
The Department of Asian Art is working on a capital project to renovate and reorganize two art storerooms. The collection of Asian Art comprises more than 36,000 objects, including painting, works on paper, sculpture, decorative art, and metalwork, of which, 9,000 are stored in the two affected storerooms. The project requires a complete reassessment of art storage housing and needs, with a significant amount of assessment and rehousing prior to the start of art movement to a temporary art storage location prior to construction.
As the Collections Specialist, Object Storage you will be a key member of the collections team reporting to a Collections Manager and working closely with the department's Senior Manager, collections managers, conservators, art handlers, and other Met staff to assess and rehouse the art stored in these storerooms during the enabling work and during the renovation of the storerooms.
This position requires a high degree of knowledge of collections care, particularly the evaluation and construction of collection storage and housing, art handling and movement, as well as the ability to work closely with other team members.
This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 1 Year
Please include a portfolio or photo examples of art rehousing or comparable work you have independently completed with your application.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Plans and implements the fabrication of new storage housing under the guidance of the collections team and conservators.
Assists with support and protection for all artworks during transportation and in storage.
Work with team to develop a plan for the movement of artworks to a temporary art storage location onsite during the enabling phase for the storeroom refurbishments, as well as for the layout of collection within new storeroom footprint.
Works with art handlers to assist in the move to temporary storage location.
Monitors and updates collection-move data, such as dimensions, locations, components, etc., into The Museum System (TMS), collection management software working with other members of the Collections Team.
Photographs objects for documentary purposes and performs basic post-production on images for upload to the NetX Digital Asset Management System.
Will be required to work and oversee teams in multiple locations.
Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
BA degree required; MA in Museum Studies, Conservation or Collections Management preferred. Significant experience with rehousing museum collections will be considered in lieu of MA.
Minimum 3 years working with fine art collections in a storage setting required, preferably in a museum setting.
Excellent hand skills, attention to detail, and ability to produce consistent results.
Intermediate knowledge of archival materials and best practices in collections care.
Formal or on-the-job training and experience in handling and moving 3-dimensional artworks required, familiarity with fragile composite objects preferred.
Demonstrated ability to create storage supports and containers for 3-dimensional works of art required.
Ability to work independently and in collaboration/coordination with collections, conservation, curatorial, and administrative staff.
Basic documentary photography skills.
Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds, work on ladders and in awkward spaces.
Excellent organizational, management, and communication skills required.
Proactive task management required.
Familiarity with the following software preferred: collection management software with a strong preference for TMS, Adobe Suite, Photoshop and Microsoft Ofce Suite.
COMPENSATION RANGE:
Pay Range: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 / Annually
The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.