Organization: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Costume Institute Country: United States Location: New York, NY
Position Level: Experienced (Non-Manager) Education: Master's Degree Position Type: Full Time Temporary
Description
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES: The Costume Institute's collection represents over 35,000 examples of fashionable dress and accessories for women, men, and children, from the fifteenth century to the present. The goals of The Costume Institute’s collection are to represent and maintain a comprehensive timeline of costume from the eighteenth century forward, and to be a collection of “masterworks,” examples of dress of the highest technical artistry with an exemplary aesthetic, and, if after 1850, by a designer of lasting significance. The Collections Management Assistant’s (CMA) primary function is to provide essential support in all Collections functions particularly in the production of storage mounts for preventive care of the headwear collection. The CMA is responsible for object tracking, organization, and overall maintenance under the direct guidance of the Associate Collections Manager.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
• Work directly to sort, prepare, pack, and place objects in both on and offsite storage following preventive storage principles
• Main support function is to create optimized storage mounts for headwear and miscellaneous objects as assigned
• Secondary support function is to participate as needed in the ongoing assessment initiative directed by the assessment Associate Collections Manager including research, organization, and object packing
• Maintain and monitor accurate object locations in TMS through regular object inventory and auditing
• General collection handling and maintenance
• Participate in ongoing Collections initiatives including object labeling, collection organization, and object vacuuming as required
• Object pulls and put backs for exhibition, loan, study, or photography
• Other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience and Skills:
• Minimum 1 year of experience working in a collection containing costume and textile artifacts
• Experience with costume handling, packing, transport and storage
• Demonstrated hand skills through storage mount creation or similar; sewing
• Object organization and tracking skills
• Close attention to detail
• Familiarity with The Museum System or similar object databases
• Strong computer skills with familiarity of Microsoft Excel
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Exemplary teamwork skills
• Ability to lift 30-40 pounds
Knowledge and Education:
• MA degree in Museum Studies, Costume History, or a related degree
• Thorough comprehension of preventive collection maintenance and care
• Strong understanding of conservation guidelines for costume
• Comprehensive knowledge of costume history and research practices
THIS POSITION HAS AN END DATE OF 6/30/2019
Application Instructions / Public Contact Information
Send resumes and Cover letter to Careers@metmuseum.org with " Dept-The Costume Institute-Collections Management Assistant " in subject line. Application deadline August 31, 2017
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