Pre-Program Conservation Intern (Summer 2025)

Job Title: Pre-Program Conservation Intern 

Department: Conservation

Reports to: Director of Conservation

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time, Temporary 

Availability: Summer 2025, June 02, 2025 – August 8, 2025

Schedule: 37.5 hours, Monday-Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm

Hourly Compensation: $15.00

Deadline to Apply: January 24, 2025 at 12:00pm EST

WHO WE ARE: Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus. Around 25,000 works of art represent American and European painting, the history of art in glass, ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian works, Asian and African art, medieval art, sculpture, decorative arts, graphic arts, and modern and contemporary art.

Thanks to the benevolence of its founders, as well as the continued support of its members, TMA remains a privately endowed, non-profit institution and opens its collection to the public, free of charge. TMA seeks to become the model art museum in the United States for its commitment to quality and its culture of belonging. This vision and the ways in which it is operationalized are established in the Museum’s Strategic Plan as well as its integrated Belonging Plan.

At the Toledo Museum of Art, we are dedicated to fulfilling our mission and our commitment to cultivating an organizational culture where every individual feels valued, inspired, respected, and empowered. We believe fostering such a culture requires everyone to work daily at positively enhancing the experience of our team members. We hope all interested in employment here will strive to elevate our mission and our culture!

AREAS OF INTEREST: Art Conservation, Studio Art/Art History/Chemistry

SUMMARY: This on-site, 10-week internship is intended for individuals focusing on a career in art conservation to gain conservation experience. Working with the Museum's Director of Conservation, Associate Objects Conservator, Associate Conservator for Textile-Based Collections, Conservation Technician, and Works on Paper Conservation Assistant, the Summer intern will gain a wide range of conservation experience participating in all departmental activities. This may include condition reporting works of art, rehousing projects, treating both outdoor and indoor sculptures, and contributing to the museum’s preventive conservation and exhibition installation programs. General conservation concepts will be taught, including conservation ethics, preventive maintenance procedures, risk management, textile and object related treatment procedures and materials, matting and framing of works of art on paper, and more, depending on the interest of the successful candidate. Conservation activities performed will be commensurate with experience. The intern will be able to add their work experience in written and photographic form to their portfolio for application to a conservation program once the internship is complete.

RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to the Director of Conservation and receives instruction from the Associate Objects Conservator and Associate Conservator of Textile Based Collections. Works with other members of the Conservation team including Works on Paper Conservation Assistant, Conservation Technician and Conservation & Curatorial Affairs Coordinator. Collaborates with various departments from across the museum. Interns may also have the opportunity to collaborate with Summer 2025 interns from other departments.

REQUIRED: Candidates must have completed or be near completion of their undergraduate conservation requirements for application to a graduate conservation masters’ degree program. Experience in studio art/art history/chemistry is required.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND ABILITIES:

• Candidates intent on pursuing a career in art conservation who need requisite conservation experience, is necessary.
• Candidates must have completed or be near completion of their undergraduate conservation requirements for application to a graduate conservation master’s degree program.
• Experience in studio art/art history/chemistry is required.
• Experience working in conservation with conservators in an institutional setting or with a conservator in private practice is highly desired.
• As the work involves the use of tools on artwork, the individual must be self-motivated, able to follow directions implicitly, have good hand skills, and be detail oriented.
• The intern must be able to wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, and dust masks.
• Must be able to write reports using Microsoft Word. Experience with Microsoft Excel and museum computer database systems such as The Museum System (TMS) and Articheck is a plus.
• Proficiency with photography, digital cameras, and Photoshop is preferred.
• Must be fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Valid driver's license preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Ability to work in an outdoor environment and weather conditions during the peak of summer in Toledo, Ohio. If working outdoors, must be comfortable handling power tools and equipment and be able to stand, sit, and crouch for long periods of time. Must be comfortable climbing ladders, working on scaffolding (not fearful of heights), and carrying equipment ca. 15-20 pounds. When working indoors, it is a standard open concept office work environment shared with co-workers, with related phone, computer and printer noise; position requires the ability to operate a computer, camera, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine, printer, and phone system; the person in this position may be required to communicate with other staff, the public, or outside scholars and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Applicants should work well in a collegial team environment focused on learning conservation skills and techniques.

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH JANUARY 24, 2025: Posting will be closed at 12:00pm EST on January 24, 2025. A receipt will be sent to your e-mail once your application has been fully submitted.

EXPECTED INTERVIEW TIMELINE: Interviews will take place in February 2025. Candidates selected to move forward in the process will receive an invitation through e-mail to interview.

SELECTION/OFFER TIMELINE: Offers will be made to final candidates in February or March 2025. Selected candidate will be required to pass a background check.

The Toledo Museum of Art provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes. The Museum is committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are treated equitably and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workplace. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at jobs@toledomuseum.org or (567)-666-0387.