Internship at Smithsonian Institution Archives

The Smithsonian Institution Archives' Center for Archives
Conservation (SCAC) and the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives
(EEPA), National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) seek a Conservation
Intern for a short-term project, treating twenty-seven unique
photographic albums. The albums range in date from c.1890 to c.1930,
and hold upwards of 3,000 unique print images for which the EEPA
does not hold negatives. They comprise twenty-seven types of binding
structures and many types of photographic process including albumen,
gelatin, salt, and cyanotype prints and photographic process
commercial postcards.

Based on a prior survey, treatment will include: surface cleaning;
stabilization of print attachments; interleaving; structural repair
of album bindings; disbinding of irreparable albums; creation of
custom housings; retrofitting current housings. The Intern will
assess the albums on an item level, categorize and prioritize
treatment goals, write treatment proposals and a project management
timeline to standards of treatment agreed on by SCAC and NMAfA
Conservation, and submit them for curatorial approval by EEPA.

The candidate should have knowledge of: historic photographic
processes and album structures; theory, standards and ethics of
conservation treatment practice and collections preventative
conservation; photographic archive conservation and decision-making
in conservation treatment.  The candidate should be able to perform
basic rare book conservation functions under supervision of the SCAC
conservator at the new Archives Conservation Laboratory in downtown
Washington DC (estimated operational June 2007). The project is
expected to be completed over 10 weeks between June 15 and August
24, 2007 based on a 40 hour week. The stipend amount is $4000. There
is no health insurance or housing associated with this position.
Short-term housing lists can be made available.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume detailing relevant
experience in rare book and/or photographic conservation treatment
by February 23, 2007, which will be followed by a notification for
portfolio request/review and telephone interviews. The selected
candidate should be able to provide evidence of proficiency in the
above qualifications through a portfolio presentation, interview and
two to three academic and professional references. Demonstrated
interest in photographic materials, archives, and African history is
preferred. Third and fourth year students of conservation degree
programs or equivalent, and graduates who will be within 6 months of
their graduation date at the start of the internship may apply.
Non-U.S. citizens with current visas must be eligible to accept
stipends; applicants with visa questions are encouraged to apply
early.

Applications may be emailed or physically sent to

    Nora Lockshin
    Paper Conservator
    Smithsonian Institution Archives
    MSC E2111
    4210 Silver Hill Road
    Suitland MD 20746-2863
    301-238-1232
    lockshinn [at] si__edu


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:38
                Distributed: Wednesday, February 7, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-20-38-028
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