The mission of MIM: MIM enriches the world community by collecting, preserving and making accessible high quality musical instruments, images and music from every country in the world. We celebrate our world’s diverse musical cultures and foster global understanding by engaging our guests with a world class interactive experience, a welcome and fun environment, dynamic programming and exceptional musical performances. For more information visit our website at www.MIM.org
Position Description
MIM seeks a creative and highly motivated professional to fill the position of Conservator in Phoenix, Arizona. The successful applicant will participate in the preparation of the museum’s collection of musical instruments and other objects for exhibition, conduct restoration as necessary, contribute to activities related to the collection’s preventive care, and assist with installation of objects.
Treatments by the Conservator focus on the stability and appearance of the instruments for exhibition purposes. Treatments are carried out in a visible laboratory that is an important part of the guest experience. Procedures designed to improve playability or acoustic quality of select instruments will also be carried out by the Conservator or external consultants as appropriate.
This position reports to the Head of Collections and works closely with Registration, Curatorial, and Exhibits staff. Salary is competitive. This is a regular full-time position and compensation includes benefits.
Primary Responsibilities

  • Examine, document, and treat musical instruments, costumes, and other items from the museum’s collection in preparation for exhibition.


  • Restore instruments as deemed appropriate by the Conservator and the Curator.
  • Assist with the installation of instruments and other objects in the galleries and with the unpacking, condition examination, and installation of incoming loans.
  • Formulate, develop, and implement conservation and preservation protocols and treatments for the collection.
  • Advise other MIM staff as to whether instruments should be acquired, exhibited, or loaned.
  • Determine the best course of conservation for the objects in the collection depending on whether they will be viewed, played, or become part of the education collection.
  • Perform preventive and restorative treatments on other institutions’ musical instruments as MIM develops collaborative relationships with other institutions.
  • Maintain relationships with Conservation and Collections teams in museums across the globe that house significant collections of musical instruments.
  • Conduct training for and oversee work of various team members on object handling, minor treatments, IPM, and cleaning.
  • Develop and oversee an emergency preparedness plan for the museum.
  • Prepare grant applications to assist with the housing and conservation of collections.
  • Maintain ongoing presentations on monitors to provide information to guests regarding current treatments in the visible lab.
  • Carry out testing of materials proposed for use in storage and exhibition; assist with IPM activities and with monitoring environmental conditions in storage and in the galleries.
  • Purchase equipment and supplies for the Conservation Laboratory.
  • Assign and oversee work of external conservators as appropriate.


Job Requirements

The ideal candidate must bring energy, vision, enthusiasm, and resourcefulness to this important position. An ability to act quickly and with great judgment is paramount. Exceptional organizational, negotiation, problem-solving, and communication skills are also required.

  • Advanced degree in conservation or equivalent combination of experience and education.
  • At least five years of museum and conservation management experience.
  • Ability to solve problems, work collaboratively with a larger team, and excel in a high- performance culture.
  • Experience in the conservation of decorative arts, wooden objects, or ethnographic objects.
  • Practical knowledge of digital photography and processing, as well as the management of digital images.
  • Current authorization to work in the United States.
  • Experience in the making or playing of musical instruments is desirable.

This is a full-time opportunity with excellent benefits! Filling this position is a priority for MIM. Finalists will be invited to present a portfolio of completed projects during the interview.