M+ Museum, Hong Kong, looking for conservator of photography

Posted on Mon, 04/03/2017 - 11:40
M+ Pavilion
Impression of the inside of the M+museum when completed in 2019.

Conservator, Photography (Ref: 16183)

A cornerstone of the West Kowloon Cultural District, M+ is Hong Kong’s new museum for visual culture, encompassing twentieth and twenty-first century art, design and architecture, and moving image from Hong Kong, China, Asia, and beyond.

Since 2012, M+ has been presenting diverse public programmes and exhibitions, and is amassing a permanent collection, in the run-up to the scheduled 2019 public opening of the museum building designed by Herzog & de Meuron with TFP Farrells and Ove Arup & Partners HK.

The M+ Pavilion, the first permanent building to be completed in WKCD, will serve as the venue for the exhibitions organised by M+ in the run up to the completion of the main M+ building in 2019.

As part of the development of the team we are aiming to create a substantial Conservation team that will deal with the preventative and remedial conservation of the growing M+ Collection.  The team will encompass various disciplines amongst which painting, objects, paper, photography and time-based media.  For more information about the M+ collection, team and building development, please go to: http://enews.westkowloon.hk/career/conservators.pdf

Reporting to the Senior Conservator, you will be an integral part of a growing conservation team to set up guidelines for the adequate development of preservation and conservation activities within M+ for one of the leading collections on contemporary visual culture in the world. 

You will be responsible for:

  • contributing to the preservation of the M+ collection by participating in a wide range of traditional conservation activities such as producing condition reports and treatment proposals which include thorough documentation, performing treatments according to ethical standard, providing expert opinions on the condition of proposed acquisitions and works planned for loans and exhibitions, conducting environmental monitoring and IPM, and ensuring preventive maintenance necessary for the photographic works in the collection;
  • playing an integral role to the development of conservation policies, procedures, protocols and workflows within the museum;
  • conducting specialised research on the materials and techniques of artists represented in the collection and possibly investigating degradation processes, treatment options and efficacy of treatments;
  • participating in extended conservation / preservation efforts such as developing guidelines for storage and display, best practices for conservation treatment, procedure and the proper care and handling of photographic works in the collection; 
  • playing a leading role in advising and training staff in best practices for the care, handling, display, storage, packing and shipping of photographic works;
  • ensuring all other conservation elements such as mount making, environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, collections emergency preparedness and purchase of laboratory supplies, are considered to the highest possible standard;
  • playing a fundamental role in supporting the planning for the conservation lab of the Conservation and Storage Facility (CSF) of the future museum and engaging as necessary in conservation and preservation-related special projects;
  • communicating on conservation topics, if possible reporting on research results through publications or presentations at professional gatherings, in agreement with the Senior Conservator;
  • keeping current on state-of-the-art conservation/preservation methods and techniques by reading relevant literature and attending presentations, seminars or training; and
  • supervising conservation volunteers or interns as required.

You should:

  • possess a master degree or a diploma from a recognised conservation training programme with a specialization in photographic materials;
  • have at least 5 years of practical postgraduate experience working on photography conservation and with substantial knowledge of traditional and recent photography techniques; institutional / museum experience is preferred;
  • have proven experience treating and documenting a wide range of works to a high standard with full consideration of practical and ethical issues;
  • have the ability to provide specialist advice for storage, transport and installation of works for display;
  • be knowledgeable / interested in modern and contemporary art, architecture and design, photography and film preservation, including materials and techniques, and demonstrate expertise in diverse conservation techniques and theories; familiarity and experience with cultural materials in South East Asia would be advantageous;
  • be an innovative and enthusiastic team player with strong critical thinking and applied problem solving skills;
  • be able to work in a fast paced and continuously challenging environment;
  • be proficient in MS Windows and / or Apple OS platform; and
  • have strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills in English and preferably in Cantonese or Mandarin.

For interested parties, please submit your application along with your CV on or before 17 April 2017 via online application or by mail quoting the reference number, name of the position, expected salary and your availability to: 

Ms Agnes Chan

West Kowloon Cultural District Authority 

Units 608-613, Level 6, Core C, Cyberport 3,

100 Cyberport Road, Hong Kong

Data collected will only be used for job application processing. Applicants not being invited for interview within 4 weeks from 17 April 2017 may assume their applications unsuccessful. 

All related information will be kept up to 24 months and all personal data will be destroyed afterwards. 

For more information 

http://www.westkowloon.hk or contact 

Ms Agnes Chan at 2200-0013