Assistant photographic conservators help conserve photos.
Photography conservation assistants, also known as assistant conservators or associate conservators, assist specialists in the conservation, repair and archiving of photographic prints and negatives. Most conservation assistants are employed by institutions that collect and display art, such as museums, universities and galleries. The job description of an assistant will vary depending on the needs of the organization, but most perform a similar set of functions.
Function
Conservators of photography are responsible for maintaining an institution's photographic collection. Because photographic prints and negatives can become dirty and degraded over time, they must be carefully preserved. Dirty photographs must be carefully cleaned, while torn or damaged photographs must be restored to the best condition possible. Assistant conservators, who generally have less experience than full conservators, will help their superior accomplish tasks that demand less skill and care.
Duties
According to descriptions of the position provided by the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin, photographic conservation assistants perform many of the same duties as their superiors. This includes properly examining, documenting, exhibiting and housing photographic materials, as well as monitoring the environment in which they are stored. This position can also entail completing activities not directly related to conservation, such as checking on photographs that have been loaned to other institutions.
Education/Skills
Most conservation assistants are required to have a bachelor's or a master's degree in art conservation. In additional to a knowledge of restorative and preservative techniques, an understanding of art history is also beneficial. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, all assistant curators must remain abreast of developments in the field by reading relevant professional publications, speaking with colleagues and attending conferences.
Compensation
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of an archivist in 2008 was $45,020, with the middle 50 percent earning between $34,050 and $60,150. A photography conservation assistant for the Museum of Modern Art receives $60,000, plus benefits, while an assistant with the Harry Ransom center receives $36,000.
Potential
Positions as assistant photographic conservators can lead to promotions to full conservators when positions become available and after they have gained more experience. While many photographic conservators will hold degrees specifically in photographic conservation, some will have experience or education in conserving other materials as well, such as painting, sculpture and film. These generalists will have a better chance of moving in conservation positions whose duties are not limited to the care of photographs.
