Grainger Associate Vice President of Conservation and Science

Art Institute Of Chicago Conservation And Science Leadership Position

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Responsible for the treatment, research, and long-term preservation of over 300,000 works of art in the Art Institute's collections, the department of Conservation and Science is integral to the museum's mission to safeguard the world's artistic and cultural legacy for future generations. Founded in 1956 with a single painting's conservator, the department has grown to a staff of over 35 specializing in twelve disciplines organized in four divisions:

• Objects and Textiles (including mount making and preventive conservation)
• Paintings and Frames
• Paper, Photography, and Media (including books and Asian paintings)
• Scientific Research

Members of the department contribute to the advancement of the field and the broader awareness of conservation issues through multiple avenues of specialized and societal dissemination, are involved in object-based teaching and scientific research, and actively support the education of future conservation and museum professionals.

Leadership position develops and advances the museum's mission, including outreach, communication, capital programs, and in-gallery and digital initiatives with a focus on conservation and science. Builds the reputation of the Grainger Center for Conservation and Science, including public engagement through the Grainger Gallery and classroom; contributes to national and international dialogue on the care and research of artworks, advancing the museum's leadership in this field. Engages with the public, scholars, students, fellows, and peers to disseminate the research and activities of the department; fosters connections with academic partners; maintains active research and/or treatment profile. Develops and mentors the staff in conservation and science and supports the education of future conservation and museum professionals.

Leadership and Supervision

• Provides key professional, intellectual, and operational leadership for the Conservation and Science department with direct responsibility for the treatment, care, documentation, and object-based research of the collection.
• Steers all activity and programming in the Grainger Center for Conservation and Science, including labs, classroom, and gallery.
• Advises museum leadership on the management and maintenance of the Art Institute collections on conservation and scientific research issues.
• Coordinates conservation activities museum wide and establishes the museum's conservation policies in consultation with the deputy director, Collections and Loans team, curators, and other relevant departments.
• Develops long-range plans for the department concerning staffing, budgeting, equipment, and facilities to meet collection needs.
• Oversees the department's strategic planning, facilities, and operations.
• Directly supervises the directors of each conservation specialty and provides support for all departmental personnel management.
• Uses discretion to organize and monitor work processes, resolve operational issues, and implement new procedures.
• Evaluates performance to ensure direct reports are equipped to perform their roles effectively and efficiently and provides professional development as needed, up to and including all levels of disciplinary action.
• Reviews applicant materials to identify candidates for interviews; conducts candidate interviews; provides recommendations as part of the hiring process.
• Sets priorities for publications, presentation, dissemination, and other research and outreach activities of the department.
• Actively stewards academic collaborations.
• Develops awareness within and outside the museum of the importance and needs of art conservation and object-based research.

Treatment and Collection Care

• Maintains institutional and professional standards for safe handling, storage, installation, packing, and shipping of objects in coordination with the Collections and Loans team, specialists and technicians, and curatorial staff.
• Provides guidance on the environmental needs of the collection in galleries and in onsite and offsite art storage spaces, including for humidity and temperature control, lighting, air quality, and integrated pest management, etc.; works with conservators to manage the quarantine room.
• Oversees condition assessment program; advises curatorial teams and conservation specialty directors on appropriate treatment priorities that use the most up-to-date methods and