Assistant Conservator, Costumes & Textiles; One

Assistant Conservator, Costume & Textiles (One-Year Contract)

The Museum of the City of New York fosters understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the world’s most influential metropolis. It engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the city’s past, present, and future. Founded in 1923, the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) showcases the city’s unique stories and cultural treasures. The country’s first and largest city museum, MCNY presents immersive exhibitions and programs at the intersection of history, popular culture, and art to 200,000 people annually, including 30,000 students and educators, fostering shared identity, civic pride and engagement, and social cohesion for New Yorkers.

MCNY has been recognized as one of the leading museums in New York City by publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and the New York Times, with Time Out New York awarding MCNY “Best Museum” in New York in 2021.

The Museum of the City of New York holds one of the most significant collections of costumes documenting New York City's social and fashion history from the 18th through 21st centuries. Reporting to the Senior Collections Manager of Costume & Textiles, the Assistant Conservator will treat and prepare works for exhibition from the costume and textile collection with a specific focus on late 19th century to early 20th century.

Core responsibilities include examination, condition reporting, treatment planning and execution, mannequin dressing, and preventative care. The Assistant Conservator will also contribute loan preparations, incoming loan review, and acting as a courier with artwork as needed. This is a one-year full-time position.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Examine objects and document conditions in TMS Collections.
• Determine treatment plan in consultation with Senior Collections Manager.
• Perform conservation treatments to stabilize objects for photography, loan, or display.
• Perform material analysis as needed.

• Prepare and dress MCNY and loaned objects for display.
• Create custom display mounts from ethafoam or fosshape as needed.

• Rehouse and update object storage as locations are accessed.
• Record, update, and maintain accurate data in TMS Collections including object measurements, medium, description, condition, and constituents, as objects are accessed.
• Perform storage and housekeeping tasks as needed, including vacuuming and integrated pest management checks.
• Ensure safe handling of art and proper maintenance of conservation equipment, supplies and workspace.

• Review and document condition of incoming loans and new acquisitions as needed.
• Prepare documentation including condition reports for outgoing loans as needed.
• Create specialty travel mounts for 3d objects traveling on loan.
• Act as courier for outgoing loans, domestic and international, including travel and dressing, as needed.
• Work closely with Senior Collections Manager to determine priorities, goals, and deadlines to meet the exhibition and loan requirements.
• Maintain clear communication with colleagues about ongoing priorities, goals, and project status.
• Cultivate a collaborative and thoughtful work environment that yields success and productivity.

• Occasionally supervise interns, volunteers, and visiting scholars as needed.

Additional Duties as assigned

A successful candidate will have:

• Master's degree from a recognized conservation training program with textile and/or costume as a focus.
• A minimum of three years of post-graduate experience as a conservator;
  Museum experience preferred.
• Proven expertise in the treatment and preservation of costume and textiles including principles, techniques, and ethics, with experience treating historic garments.
• Exemplary manual skill and ability to perform treatments in an efficient manner to meet the demand of the exhibition and loan schedules.
• Knowledge of fashion history with a specialized understanding of textiles, construction techniques, and changing silhouettes of late 19th to early 20th century fashion.
• Proven skill at creating, modifying, and dressing mannequins…