Cooperative and educational programs for east asian painting conservation
The Hirayama Program for Japanese Painting Conservation was started in 2000. The program’s endowed funding supports a range of projects dedicated to increasing understanding of the materials and methods of traditional Japanese painting production and mounting while broadening awareness of modern preservation and conservation practices in the United States.
The Chinese Painting Conservation Program, initiated in 2001, is devoted to training young professionals and developing cooperative projects to promote the understanding and care of Chinese paintings. Parallel to these efforts is an ongoing and extensive research program dedicated to the technical study of the materials, structure, and deterioration of East Asian painting.
Such programs are vital to the Freer and Sackler Galleries’ efforts to help maintain and advance the rich traditions of Chinese and Japanese mounting and painting conservation in the West. The support for these projects in many ways owes to the strength of the museums’ holdings of more than 4,500 East Asian paintings—one of the greatest collections of Chinese and Japanese paintings outside of Asia—and to the long-established role of the Department of Conservation and Scientific Research.
Hirayama Japanese Painting Conservation Fellowship 2023
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, Department of Conservation and Scientific Research, is pleased to announce the Hirayama Japanese Painting Conservation Fellowship. The fellowship is a full-time (40 hours/week) commitment awarded for one year with a possible extension for a second year. The fellowship carries a yearly stipend of $50,000 along with a yearly $4,000 travel/research allowance. Japanese language training may also be provided. The fellow will be required to maintain health insurance during the fellowship. The fellowship is expected to begin during the second half of 2023.
The fellow will train in the East Asian Painting Conservation Studio (EAPCS), studying the materials and methods of Japanese painting conservation and remounting. The fellowship cultivates practical skills and fosters a solid understanding of the cultural contexts of traditional mounting, conservation philosophy, and the ethics of the conservation profession in general.
The fellow will take part in EAPCS activities, including condition surveys, remedial treatment, and complete and partial remounting to help prepare collections for exhibit or loan. Conservation work may also include preventive conservation for storage and display as well as collaboration with other museum staff members. The fellow will participate in education and outreach activities and will produce outreach materials such as blogs, presentations, and articles.
Applicant Qualifications
Applicants should be recent graduates from a recognized conservation training program or have equivalent training and experience. The best qualified candidates are those interested in pursuing a conservation career specializing in Japanese painting conservation who have a proven record of interest in Japanese art, history, and culture and have English and Japanese language skills. Fellowships are awarded without regard to age, sex, race, or nationality of the applicant.
Deadline
Application must include a letter of interest, a CV/resume, a portfolio of conservation work (1–3 projects), and two letters of recommendation with contact information and must be submitted to dcsr@si.edu no later than March 31st, 2023.
Finalists will be invited to a virtual interview in April and will be asked to present conservation work from their portfolio. The final selection will be made in May.
For questions, please contact dcsr@si.edu.
Mellon Chinese Painting Conservation Fellowship 2023
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, Department of Conservation and Scientific Research (CSR), is pleased to announce the Mellon Chinese Painting Conservation Fellowship. The fellowship is a full-time (40 hours/week) commitment awarded for one year with a possible extension for a second year. The fellowship carries a yearly stipend of $50,000 along with a yearly $4,000 travel/research allowance. The fellow will be required to maintain health insurance through the duration of the fellowship. The fellowship is expected to begin during the second half of 2023.
The fellow will train in the East Asian Painting Conservation Studio (EAPCS), studying the materials and methods of Chinese painting conservation and remounting. The fellowship cultivates practical skills and fosters a solid understanding of the cultural contexts of traditional mounting, conservation philosophy, and the ethics of the conservation profession in general.
The fellow will take part in EAPCS activities, including condition surveys, remedial treatment, and complete and partial remounting to help prepare collections for exhibit or loan. Conservation work may also include preventive conservation for storage and display as well as collaboration with other members of CSR. The fellow will participate in education and outreach activities and will produce outreach materials such as blogs, presentations, and articles.
Applicant Qualifications
Applicants should be recent graduates from a recognized conservation training program or have equivalent training and experience. The best qualified candidates are those interested in pursuing a conservation career specializing in Chinese painting conservation. The applicant should have a proven record of conservation experience, writing ability, and English and Chinese language skills (written and spoken). Fellowships are awarded without regard to age, sex, race, or nationality of the applicant.
Deadline
Application must include a letter of interest, a CV/resume, a portfolio of conservation work (1–3 projects), and two letters of recommendation with contact information and must be submitted to dcsr@si.edu no later than March 17th, 2023.
Finalists will be invited to a virtual interview in April and will be asked to present conservation work from their portfolio. The final selection will be made in May.
For questions, please contact dcsr@si.edu.
