The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is now accepting applications for a graduate summer Internship in the Sculpture and Decorative Arts conservation lab. Mentoring future conservation professionals is a priority for the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) and supports VMFA’s strategic plan. The selected candidate will spend ten weeks primarily focused on the preparation and treatment of objects for the upcoming exhibition of the Mellon collection of British and French works of Art. The intern will also have the opportunity to participate in other lab activities such as performing technical analysis, assisting on maintenance of collections on display, collaborating with other VMFA departments, and presenting research to VMFA staff, regional conservators, and the general public. The internship will be held in person at VMFA, strictly following the museum’s COVID safety protocols. A portion of the internship may also be virtual and incorporate webinars, remote learning opportunities, and zoom meetings or lectures.
Qualifications: The successful candidate will have an understanding of the AIC code of ethics and guidelines for practice. They should have some demonstrated experience in conservation treatment, documentation, housing, and handling of three dimensional works of art. The candidate should be
enrolled in an accredited graduate conservation program and have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, studio art, art history, and/or related humanities field.
Application Process: Interested candidates need to apply through the Commonwealth of Virginia job website, which can be accessed via Virginia Jobs. All submissions should include a letter of intent, a résumé, and a list of three references by March 8, 2021. Applicants selected for interviews will be asked to present a portfolio of conservation treatments. Additional Information: There is some flexibility in the start and end dates for the internship between mid-May to mid-August. Candidates selected for interviews should be prepared to discuss their general summer availability during the interview. The intern will be paid $15/hour for the 10-week internship period.
Candidates with questions can contact Volunteer Programs Manager, Kim Frola.