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Destination Canadian Art
Contemporary Art
Changing Exhibitions

401 Riverside Drive West
Windsor, ON N9A 7J1

Gallery Hours:
Open today from 11 am - 5 pm

About

Job Opportunities

Photography by: Frank Piccolo, Windsor, ON, GXZ Design Inc.

Art Windsor-Essex has a vacancy in the position of:

Conservator/Assistant Preparator

Reporting to the Head, Programs and Collection, the Conservator/Assistant Preparator supports the Senior Preparator as needed with the installation and de-installation of exhibitions and with the arrival and departure of exhibitions and loans related to the Gallery’s exhibition program. The Conservator/ Assistant Preparator is also responsible for examination, documentation, and conservation of objects in the permanent collection and in the care of Art Windsor-Essex (AWE), monitoring and making recommendations regarding the environmental system, and maintaining the conservation laboratory. The Conservator/Assistant Preparator also provides contract services to private, corporate, institutional and government collections as assigned.

Exhibition Preparation

  • Assists with the installation and de-installation of exhibitions
  • Assists with the matting, framing, packing, shipping, and receiving of artworks
  • Identify and record changes in the condition of objects on display and provide recommendations and guidance to ensure care and safety of objects (exhibition, loan and travel of objects including safe handling, display, mounts, matting and framing, and methods of packing and crating)
  • Prepares condition reports on incoming/outgoing exhibitions and loans as directed

Conservation

  • Responsible for the conservation laboratory and ongoing maintenance
  • Examine, assess, prioritize treatment needs, and conserve works in the Permanent Collection and in the care of the Art Windsor-Essex
  • Monitor and assess weekly environmental graphs on a daily basis
  • Identify and record changes in the condition of objects in storage, and provide technical guidance and recommendations to ensure care and safety of objects (ex. storage)
  • Responsible for external conservation services to the public, private sector, and other public institutions as a revenue resource for the Gallery. Meet with clients, examine works, provide analysis of treatment needs, provide an estimate of cost, perform and document condition

Collections

  • Examine objects in the Permanent Collection and in the care of AWE, documenting the condition, digitally, physically, and where appropriate, photographically, and tracking changes to condition and treatments and communicating issues and needs to the Head of Programs and Collection
  • Analyzes, recommends, and schedules routine maintenance of permanent collection objects
  • Provide technical advice to the Curatorial team on conservation issues which could arise with potential acquisitions
  • Provide guidance and recommendations to staff on best practices for handling and condition reporting

Administration and other

  • Develops and monitors conservation budget with the Head of Programs and Collection, and monitors billing and invoicing for external conversation services
  • Maintains Occupational Health and Safety standards with regard to Conservation and Preparator work, with the Senior Preparator
  • Assists in the development of policy and procedures regarding collection management and conservation as it relates to objects in the permanent collection or in the care of Art Windsor-Essex, including disaster plans and security plans (regarding issues with HVAC system, gallery lighting, current weather, building shutdowns, etc.)
  • Other duties as assigned

Education and certifications required:

  • Masters in Art Conservation or a combination of work experience, life experience and education
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Valid Scissor Lift license

Qualifications:

  • Five years of relevant experience
  • Knowledge of preparing works of art for display, including cleaning frames, matting frames, and hanging exhibitions
  • Knowledge of designing, fabrications, construction, and installation of museum exhibits
  • Knowledge of artistic material and processes, as well as display and lighting techniques
  • Familiarity with the operation of electronic devices and digital technologies used by artists in exhibition context
  • Fluency in Microsoft Office (SharePoint, Teams, Excel, Word, Outlook)
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, artists, and the general public, and to work independently
  • Demonstrated organizational skills, communication skills, and attention to detail

COMPENSATION

Start: $24.64/hr
After 6 Months (900 Hours): $25.88/hr
After 1 Year (1,800 Hours): $27.12/hr

*This classification is part of Art Windsor-Essex’s Collective Agreement with The Canadian Union of Public Employees

Please submit your letter of interest and resume to Thomas Boucher in confidence by August 5, 2022

Art Windsor-Essex
Attention: Thomas Boucher, Manager of Operations
401 Riverside Drive West
Windsor, Ontario
N9A 7J1
Email: tboucher@agw.ca

Posting Date: July 12, 2022

Art Windsor-Essex is committed to employment equity and supports building a skilled and diverse workforce. Members from the following designated groups (Women, Indigenous, Visible Minorities, Persons with Disabilities and Sexual Minorities) are encouraged to apply and to self-identify.