Job Listing: NEH | Works on Paper Specialist

Virginia Museum of Fine Art - Richmond, VA

Closes - Posting may close after ten (10) business days. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by 11:55pm on July 1st, 2024.

Title - NEH | Works on Paper Specialist

Compensation - $48,000 

This position offers Commonwealth of Virginia employee benefits, such as 12 paid holiday, health benefits and more. VMFA staff also enjoy agency benefits like free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, and discounts at Amuse Restaurant, Best Cafe, and VMFA Shop. 

Job Type - full-time; faculty, exempt

Apply - Interested individuals must submit an online application via the Commonwealth of Virginia job application site: https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/jobs/neh-works-on-paper-specialist-richmond-virginia-united-states.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check.

Please submit three (3) references. Provide full name, phone number, and email address. References may be attached in a separate document in the “other” field in the portal; or they may be included with the resume or cover letter. Professional references are preferred. Other reference types will also receive consideration. References should be able to attest to your knowledge, skills and abilities, especially qualifications relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Summary - 

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is seeking a collaborative, detail-oriented and experienced Works on Paper Specialist to support a three-year project to catalog and digitize the Frank Raysor bequest of 7,655 works on paper.

The Works on Paper specialist is responsible for cataloguing and carrying out the daily collection management functions related to the completion of a NEH grant by developing and overseeing the workflow process, which includes:

• object identification and retrieval, including verification of object location and generation of object lists using the museum’s collection database (TMS).
• creating new object records and/or verifying or supplementing extant object records using the museum’s collection database (TMS). Records will include maker information, title, date, measurements, inscriptions and identification of any other relevant marks or attributes.
• coordinating and documenting the movement of artwork to and from the Assistant Photographer/Digitization specialist.
• rehousing objects as needed into new folders and boxes and flagging objects in need of conservation treatment.
• coordinating curatorial review of object records and conducting object, artist, exhibition and/or provenance research as necessary.

This position is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Responsibilities - Ideal candidates have experience handling and cataloging works on paper, art historical training in the history of European or American art, and a desire for hands-on experience working with an important collection of works on paper. The Raysor Collection encompasses works on paper made in Europe and North America from the late 15th through the 20th centuries. The collection is especially strong in 17th-century prints, including extensive holdings of the work of Wencelaus Hollar, and work associated with the Etching Revival.

Qualifications - 

Master’s degree in art history or museum studies
Prior experience cataloguing works on paper
Familiarity with data entry in collections management systems (preferably The Museum System) and Microsoft Suite
Strong written communication skills
High attention to detail
Ability to follow protocols in handling delicate works of art with care

Additional Considerations

Graduate level coursework, research, or curatorial experience in the history of printmaking, preferably with a focus on American or European art from c.1500-1945
Ability to identify a range of printmaking processes
2 years cumulative experience cataloguing works on paper, including prints
Reading knowledge of French, German, Italian or Dutch

Diversity and Inclusivity at VMFA

Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. As an extension of the museum’s mission to enrich the lives of all, we are passionately committed to opening the museum’s doors to people from all backgrounds, including all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities.