The Conservator will report to the Director, Curatorial & Collections. The role will contribute to the smooth operation, acquisition support and delivery of exhibitions, loans and events of Singapore Art Museum (SAM), as well as other requirements as assigned from the Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC), in assisting with conservation related tasks and activities (operational and administrative) by coordinating with both internal and external parties involved in accordance with procedures and project timelines. Relevant in-house training will be provided to the successful candidate.

DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTIONS AND WORK LOCATIONS:

Artworks and artefacts are part of the National Collection and are under the custody of the National Heritage Board (NHB), Singapore. NHB preserves, presents and promotes the cultural heritage of Singapore, for the purpose of education, nation-building and cultural understanding.

HCC is an institution of NHB with purpose-built facility for the storage and conservation of all artworks and artefacts under the care of NHB. The collections include socio-historical, cultural, ethnographic, modern and contemporary artwork materials. HCC Conservation Services is constituted by a team of over 30 conservators and comprises 5 specializations: objects conservation, paintings conservation, paper conservation, textiles conservation and conservation science.

The conservator will be working under the supervision of the head of objects conservation section at HCC, 32 Jurong Port Road, Singapore 619104 and director for curatorial and collections at SAM, 39 Keppel Road, #01-02 (exhibition galleries) & #03-07 Tanjong Pagar Distripark (Corporate Office), Singapore 089065, according to project needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Carry out conservation assessments, documentation and treatment on artworks and artefacts according to HCC procedures, instructions and guidelines for exhibitions, loans and events for SAM. 
• Active involvement in exhibition planning and commissioning of new works including installation, de-installation, packing and storage and documentation. 
• To work with collection managers in the setting up of documentation systems to manage information on artist materials, interviews, installation requirements, display requirements, history of past uses, conservation records, storage requirements, resource planning for recurring access useful for sustainable preservation strategies. 
• To provide advice on preventive care, specialised mounting techniques and environmental settings for short- or long-term display of artefacts/artworks. 
• To review temporary and permanent display at SAM upon request to ensure the stability of artefacts and eventual maintenance needs. 
• To provide advice on transport, handling and display requirements whenever necessary. 
• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas prior to meetings and notes/minutes of said meetings. 
• To provide supervisory responsibility to assigned reportee/s (if any). 
• Any other ad hoc duties and projects assigned. 
• May be involved in conservation study or research projects and associated dissemination of results to various types of audience with different levels of expertise.
  
   

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Candidate should have a Bachelor, Honors’ or a Master’s degree in Conservation from a recognized training institution, with 6 to 8 years of relevant practical experience primarily in conserving contemporary works of art. Specialization in object conservation is appreciated. Experience in variable media preservation and conservation, including digital media, is an advantage.
• Proven ability to carry out comprehensive and complex conservation treatments/projects based on documented decision-making process involving risk assessment, careful ethical consideration and proper collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, while demonstrating a high degree of manual dexterity and technical knowledge whenever required.
  
• Ability to carry out comprehensive treatments with a high degree of manual dexterity and aesthetic sensitivity. 
  
• Conserves diverse object types and not limited to contemporary works of art.
  
• Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
  
• Be a strong team-player and works collaboratively and collegially with diverse stakeholders, including but not limited to curators, conservators, exhibition team, artists, collections managers, conservation scientists and designers.
  
• Familiarity and experience with contemporary artistic practices in Southeast Asia is preferred.
• Institutional experience in the conservation and preservation of contemporary art is preferred.
  
• Possesses initiative, with the ability to multitask, organise and prioritise work within a given timeframe.
  
• Ability to work unsupervised, as well as within a team. 
  
• Ability to adapt in a multilingual and multiracial environment. 
  
• Keep up to date with current conservation development through self-directed learning and training. Evidence of continual professional development is strongly desirable.
  
• Ability and experience to coach and impart conservation skills and knowledge effectively.
  
 

 

Please send your application to hr@singaporeartmuseum.sg. We regret that only short-listed candidates will be notified.