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Contract Museum Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sealaska

SHI - Collections & Curatorial Manager

Juneau, AK · On-site

$57K - $70K/yr

... contracts as needed; assist with budgeting. * Respond to object inquiries, conduct research and ... A proven interest in collections management, conservation, museum studies, or related professions.

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How much do contract museum conservation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract museum conservation in the United States is $20.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $22.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Museum Conservator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Museum Conservator, you need a solid background in conservation science, art history, and hands-on experience with artifact preservation, typically supported by a relevant degree or certification in conservation. Familiarity with tools like microscopes, spectrometers, and specialized conservation software is essential for assessing and treating diverse materials. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills set exceptional conservators apart, especially when collaborating with museum staff or clients. These competencies ensure the effective preservation of cultural heritage, adherence to ethical standards, and successful project outcomes within defined timeframes.

What is the difference between Contract Museum Conservation vs Contract Art Conservation?

AspectContract Museum ConservationContract Art Conservation
CredentialsTypically requires conservation certifications, degrees in conservation or related fieldsSimilar credentials, often requiring art conservation certifications and specialized training
Work EnvironmentMuseums, cultural institutions, conservation labsArt galleries, private collections, conservation labs
Employer & IndustryMuseums, cultural heritage organizationsArt collectors, galleries, private clients
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing roles in cultural heritage preservationIndividuals interested in art-specific conservation work

Contract Museum Conservation and Contract Art Conservation share similar credentials and work environments, both focusing on preserving cultural or artistic assets. The main difference lies in their focus: museum conservation emphasizes heritage preservation within institutions, while art conservation centers on individual artworks, often in private settings.

What are contract museum conservators?

Contract museum conservators are professionals who work on a temporary or project basis to preserve and restore objects, artworks, and artifacts in museums. Unlike staff conservators, they are hired for specific projects or periods, providing specialized expertise for conservation tasks such as assessment, cleaning, stabilization, and repair. They often work independently or with conservation firms and may serve multiple institutions. Their work is vital in ensuring the long-term preservation of cultural heritage items according to ethical and scientific standards.

What are some typical challenges faced by contract museum conservators when working on short-term projects?

Contract museum conservators often face challenges such as quickly adapting to new institutional protocols, handling diverse collections within limited timeframes, and balancing the need for thorough documentation with project deadlines. Because contracts are often project-based, conservators may need to coordinate closely with curators, registrars, and other staff to ensure conservation treatments align with exhibit schedules and institutional priorities. Flexibility, strong communication skills, and efficient project management are key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring successful outcomes.
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Contract Museum Conservation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Museum Conservation job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $43,215 per year, or $20.8 per hour.
Associate Director for Provenance Research and Object Histories (Museum Curator), IS-1015-14

Associate Director for Provenance Research and Object Histories (Museum Curator), IS-1015-14

National Museum of Asian Art

Washington, DC • On-site

$143K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Description
OPEN DATE: April 16, 2026                    
CLOSING DATE: June 15, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite  
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/High Risk
Open to all qualified applicants 
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). 
 
Conditions of Employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk.
  • Complete a Probationary Period
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art opened in 1923 as America’s first national art museum and the first Asian art museum in the United States. It now stewards on of the world’s most important collections of Asian art, with works dating from antiquity to the present. The museum also hosts an unparalleled collection of 19th- and early 20th-century American art.
Through an ambitious program of collecting, conservation, exhibitions, programming and research, both onsite and online, the museum serves as a global and national resource for understanding the arts and cultures of Asia and their interaction with America, past and present. By presenting the arts and cultures of Asia in their extraordinary richness, the museum furthers cross-cultural understanding and aims to exemplify foundational ideals of curiosity, creativity and respect.
Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the museum is free and open 364 days a year (closed Dec. 25). The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex and welcomes millions of visitors yearly. For more information about the National Museum of Asian Art, visit asia.si.edu
The Associate Director for Provenance Research and Object Histories is a cornerstone of the museum's commitment to excellence and international distinction in provenance and object histories. Reporting to the Deputy Director for Collections and Exhibitions, the primary responsibility of the Associate Director for Provenance Research and Object Histories is oversight for the strategic direction, development, and management of the museum's provenance program. As the museum enters its second century, in a period of significant growth and transformation, the position will act as a catalyst for internal and external collaboration, strengthening the museum’s position as an international leader in provenance research and object histories and contributing to the museum's mission of broadening and deepening impact, fostering transparency in the collections’ origins, and providing expertise through international collaboration, training, and information sharing. The Associate Director will lead the expansion of the Provenance Research and Object Histories Department, shaping its future by securing funding, driving key projects, and building and retaining a highly skilled and dedicated team committed to excellence and making a significant impact in the field.
The Associate Director will conduct original scholarly research, lead external partnerships, develop scholarly and public programs, establish robust procedures, and make policy decisions, including budget, staffing, and research priorities. The Associate Director also represents the museum nationally and internationally and ensures appropriate interaction with other Smithsonian offices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Serves as a leading authority in provenance research, conducting, presenting, and publishing original, high‑level scholarly research that advances the field and strengthens the institution’s national and international reputation
• Leads and participates in international provenance research initiatives and collaborative projects with external partners, including museums, universities, cultural heritage organizations, and ministries of culture.
• Expands the museum’s role as a global leader in provenance by developing innovative resources, international programs, and professional trainings that support the growth and institutionalization of the field.
• Provides strategic leadership and oversight of the museum’s provenance research, including coordination and guidance of provenance-related work across the Provenance and Object Histories, Curatorial, Collections Management, and Conservation departments.
• Ensures due diligence in provenance research for existing collections, proposed acquisitions, and incoming and outgoing loans, in alignment with the highest ethical, legal, and professional standards.
• Provides specialized insight to the Director’s and Deputy Director’s offices on laws, policies, and field-wide standards around provenance that guide acquisition and loan decisions.
• Establishes institutional goals, articulates priorities, and develops strategies related to provenance research; oversees performance management, task assignments, and workflow across provenance initiatives.
• Provides leadership, mentorship, and professional development for provenance researchers and staff, both internally and externally, fostering excellence and collaboration in the field.
• Develops annual staffing, hiring, and training plans.
• Exercises authority to approve the allocation and distribution of funds, overseeing the development, justification, execution, and control of the provenance and object histories department budget.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for this position, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the IS-13 level in the Federal service or comparable experience outside the Federal government.
For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience such as:
- Leading and conducting advanced provenance research or object-history research for museum collections; 
- Developing and implementing institutional policies, procedures, priorities, or standards related to provenance research, due diligence, collections stewardship, or ethical collecting practices; 
- Providing senior-level advice to museum leadership on provenance-related legal, ethical, professional, or policy issues affecting collections, acquisitions, and loans; 
- Directing or overseeing complex research projects, scholarly publications, public programs, or collaborative initiatives related to provenance research, object histories, or collections history; 
- Building and sustaining partnerships with external stakeholders, such as museums, universities, cultural heritage organizations, government entities, or other national and international partners; 
- Supervising staff or leading the work of professional personnel, including assigning work, setting priorities, managing performance, and supporting staff development; 
- Managing program resources, including budget planning, staffing, hiring, and strategic allocation of funds; and 
- Representing an institution in national and international professional forums related to provenance research, cultural heritage, and museum practice. 
Preferred Qualifications
- MA, PhD, or advanced degree in a relevant field.
- Demonstrated expertise in provenance research, object histories, and art market studies with the ability to conduct provenance research and develop professional products from the research conducted for a scholarly audience and for the general public.
- Ability to develop and direct a comprehensive provenance program for the museum, including research, cataloging, exhibitions, public programs, and international field-wide training. 
- Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues, museum professionals, scholars, the general public, international partners, and other stakeholders. 
- Record of scholarly publication, public presentation, or other recognized professional contributions in provenance research, object histories, museum collections history, or a related field.
- Knowledge of relevant legal, ethical, and professional frameworks governing provenance research, cultural property, repatriation, collections stewardship, acquisitions, and loans.
- Demonstrated success developing and leading cross-institutional or international collaborations.
- Demonstrated skill in leading, supervising, and managing a multidisciplinary and culturally diverse workforce, including goal setting, planning and implementing programs, and establishing metrics and reporting protocols.
- Demonstrated skill in budgeting and resource management.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English and preference for research capacity in one or more of the following languages: French, German, or a Middle Eastern or Asian language relevant to the museum’s collection.
 
Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
 
Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.
  
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
 
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.  
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
 
Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact nmaa-hr@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
 
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.