Art Conservation Summer Intern (Graduate Level)

Position Title: Art Conservation Summer Intern (Graduate Level) 

Location: Carnegie Museum of Art (Oakland), 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh PA, 15213 

Department: Art Conservation, Carnegie Museum of Art

Internship Duration: 10 weeks: Start and end dates are targeted for June 2 – August 8, 2025. Some flexibility based on the intern’s academic schedule may be accommodated.

Reports To: Ana Alba, Associate Painting Conservator 

Compensation: This internship offers a fixed stipend of $3,750.00 USD. Eligible candidates must have US Work Authorization and be approved to receive payment/stipends from a US employer. 

Application Deadline:  5 PM on Monday, April 21, 2025. An offer will be extended by early May.

To Apply: Please complete an application on Handshake. Send resume, cover letter, and optional recommendations to: volunteers@carnegiemuseums.org by 5 PM on April 21. Interviews will begin in late April, with an offer intended to final candidate by May 9th. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Must be authorized to work in the US and receive payments, compensation, and/or stipends from an employer.
• Must be able to work on-site 30-40 hours per week, reporting from 9:30am to 5:00pm.
• Must be currently enrolled in an Art Conservation graduate program
• During museum registration and onboarding, the final candidate will obtain Pennsylvania Act 153 clearances, including Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police criminal history report, and FBI fingerprinting clearance. This process is facilitated by the Volunteer & Internship Office.

Primary Functions: 

The intern will work closely with the Associate Paintings Conservator to participate in regular activities of the conservation lab as well as to select and complete a research and/or treatment project based on object(s) in the CMOA collection. Projects proposed for the graduate student are selected based on both the identified learning aims of the student and the conservation priorities of the museum. Extent of conservation work to be completed is determined with consideration to the intern’s limited internship period (10 weeks), with an emphasis to select objects and projects that are beneficial to both the student and the institution. 
The intern will also be assigned regular tasks including but not limited to gallery maintenance, condition checks of works on view, lab maintenance and organization, photo-documentation of treatments, and preventative conservation (environmental monitoring and integrated pest management). The aim of this internship is to develop skills relevant to future employment in art conservation and preventive care activities.

Skills to be Learned: 

Conservation related technical writing, training in our data management software, training in our imaging and photo documentation software, hands-on treatment skills through conservation bench work, identification of conservation issues on a wide variety of collection materials, analytical equipment training, as necessary. The candidate will also gain experience working in a busy, exhibition driven conservation laboratory and interacting with various collection related colleagues when necessary. 

Training Methods: 

Assisting and advising directly with conservation treatments, reviewing testing techniques and results to determine the most appropriate course of treatment, proofreading conservation reports

Internship Qualifications: 

The intern will assist in conservation treatments required prior to the reinstallation of Scaife 4 and Scaife 6 in late October. Possible conservation projects include the surface cleaning of Jiro Yoshihara’s White Painting, 58.69, a conservation survey of our works by artist Stilinović to be included in the Scaife 13 reinstallation, and the stabilization of Thomas Moran’s Cleaning in the Mountains, 2014.16.  The intern will also be responsible for regular gallery checks and maintenance, dusting and retouching of works on view. 

The intern will produce conservation records for each treatment performed on CMOA collection objects that will document research, conditions, treatments, and materials used, as is conducted for all projects in the CMOA Conservation Lab. The results of research/treatment projects will be summarized and disseminated in the form of a presentation, poster, publication, or other method.

Education and Experience: 

The successful candidate should be presently enrolled in a graduate level conservation program and have prior experience in report writing, documentation and previous experience working in a conservation laboratory or private practice.  The candidate should have an interest in pursuing painting conservation as their area of specialization post-graduation. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Candidates should be detail-oriented, organized, and self-motivated.   Experience in using Capture One or Camera Raw a plus but not necessary.  Interest or experience in researching and the treatment of modern and contemporary works would be beneficial. 

Physical Requirements: 

Ability to lift 25 lb. if necessary. 

Principal Accountabilities:

• Assisting the Associate Painting Conservator –20%
• Conservation Treatment– 40%
• Report writing/ documentation– 30%
• Getting familiar with the museum and attending all staff or general meetings– 10%

Important Information: 

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh requires all incoming volunteers and interns to register with the Volunteer Office and complete the full suite of PA Act 153 clearances before starting a position with Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. This process will take place during official museum registration and onboarding facilitated by the Volunteer Office.