Contemporary Art Conservator

Constantine KSA are looking for a Contemporary Art Conservator on behalf of the Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU)

Contemporary Art Conservator

Experience: Minimum 3 years
Department: Archaeology, Conservation and Collections
Contract: 1 year (possible extension for another 1 year)
Hours: Full-time
Reporting to: Art Conservator, Lead
Location: AlUla, Saudi Arabia – Royal Commission for AlUla

Background
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is embarking on a long-term plan to develop and deliver a sustainable transformation of the region, reaffirming it as one of country’s most important archaeological and cultural destinations and preparing it to welcome visitors from around the world. RCU’s development work in AlUla encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting the ambitious commitment to cultivate tourism and leisure in Saudi Arabia, outlined in Vision 2030.

Collection Section, Archaeology, Conservation
The Collection Department manages the RCU Collections and Collections on loan to the Commission. The Departments role is to manage, preserve and enable access to RCU collections in both physical and digital format. The Department carries out RCU legal responsibilities for the care and management of its collections, for the benefit of the public, now and in the future. Its collections s include art, archive, archaeological and library collections and the facilitation of RCU programs of acquisitions, exhibitions, displays, loans and international touring. Collection Department comprises three sections: Collection Management, Conservation and Acquisition.

Conservation
The Conservation Section provides specialist conservation services to support the programme and the long-term care of the collection. The areas include: Heritage Objects (Archaeology Objects), Contemporary and modern artworks including sculptures and installations inclusive of public art; paper and photographs (archival and documents); natural history, time-based media; conservation science and preventive conservation.

Purpose of the Job
To provide support, to the Lead Contemporary Arts Conservator on the Contemporary Arts Conservation Program and to support other conservation programs within the team. To ensure that all RCU managed artworks are fully condition reported and have full conservation documentation as per RCU guidelines and code of ethics.
The condition and conservation maintenance reports also include storage and/or exhibition recommendations (environmental parameters, installation guidelines, maintenance, packing, shipping, etc.) and to guide the long-term maintenance of the Collections.
To provide support and expertise for RCU Conservation Program, as well as work flexibly across other programs as required. To care for and treat art works along and contribute to the development of work programs, procedures, and workflows for the preservation of the works of art in RCU collection.

Main Activities/Responsibilities

Technical Examination, Research, Treatment and Documentation of Art Objects inclusive Public Art installations

•  Assess and analyse the structure and condition of works of art, using a full range of specialist techniques.
• Apply conservation procedures to formulate treatments ensuring high standards of preservation and presentation; use innovative solutions to solve complex problems.
• Produce preparation, treatment, and maintenance documentation for mixed media artworks.
• Create and update records on the RCU collection management system (CMS) and associated Conservation Maintenance system.

Collections Care and Preventive Conservation Activity

• Liaise with both conservation and art handling technicians to ensure works are safely packed and installed. Create case specifications and design specialist storage.
• Active involvement in the design, development, and implementation of long-term collection care procedures, including packing, transport, storage, display and installation.
• Undertake preventive conservation such as environmental monitoring, integrated pest management and events management.
• Support the division activity and implement Health & Safety measures.
•  

Support for RCU Programs
 

• Participate in RCU acquisitions programs and support other program teams as required; provide advice and recommendations on all aspects of care and use of the collection.
• Provide accurate time and cost estimates for your activities.
• Co-ordinate projects and organize/deliver conservation input on time and within budget.
• Provide display specifications and recommendations for safe transport, handling, installation, and display of works of art for RCU sites and acquisitions programs, advising staff as required.
• Undertake condition checks, preparation, treatment, and associated activity in support of programs. Devise maintenance schedules for works on display; monitor and undertake maintenance duties.

Public and Professional Activities

• Keep up to date on current approaches and best practice within Art Conservation through continuing professional development.
• Support knowledge and expertise sharing within the Conservation department.
• Support learning activities and initiatives; contribute to lectures, tours and publications.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Recognised Professional qualification in Contemporary Art Conservation or equivalent experience.
• Experience assessing condition and preparing artworks for exhibitions, display (including public art), acquisitions and loans, providing accurate time and cost estimates and appropriate documentation.
• Proven experience documenting and conserving a wide range of objects of art (contemporary and modern) to a high standard, an understanding of a broad range of conservation methods to formulate appropriate treatments with full consideration of practical and ethical issues.
• Demonstrable analytical and problem solving skills where complex conservation challenges arise.
• Understanding of the long-term care issues within Art Conservation and ability to provide expert advice for their preservation.
• Proven experience-providing advice for packing, storage, transport, installation of complex artworks.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrable organisational, time-management and planning skills with the ability to work well under pressure and prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively within a large and complex organisation, as part of a team or alone.
• Good end-user IT skills, including image processing and database software to document artworks.
• An understanding of the principles of equality and diversity in relation to conservation and the ability to apply these in practice at work.

Desirable:

• Minimum 3 Experience working in a museum or gallery.
• Evidenced Experience working with paintings and contemporary artworks.
• Flexibility to travel and work out of hours, in KSA and to undertake international travel