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Contract Museum Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Whitney Museum of American Art

Porter

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... conservation, Art Handling, library and storage facility at 610 West 26th street; general cleaning ... Maintain sidewalks and entrances to Museum and Loading Dock * Set-up/break-down furniture for ...

Whitney Museum of American Art

Porter

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... conservation, Art Handling, library and storage facility at 610 West 26th street; general cleaning ... Maintain sidewalks and entrances to Museum and Loading Dock * Set-up/break-down furniture for ...

Whitney Museum of American Art

Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$54.67/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the Museum and the AFL-CIO ... to ensure that conservation standards HVAC standards, life safety, and aesthetic lighting ...

Whitney Museum of American Art

Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$54.67/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the Museum and the AFL-CIO ... to ensure that conservation standards HVAC standards, life safety, and aesthetic lighting ...

Smithsonian Institution

Gift Officer IS-1001-13

Washington, DC · On-site

$81K - $105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund ... About the National Museum of Asian Art Through an ambitious program of collection, conservation ...

Smithsonian Institution

Gift Officer IS-1001-13

Washington, DC · On-site

$121K - $150K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund ... Museum of Asian Art Through an ambitious program of collection, conservation, exhibitions ...

CMA

Registrar for Exhibitions

Cleveland, OH · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Proficient in best practices in museum registration. * Familiarity with basic conservation concepts ... Manages loan contracts for works lent to CMA. Communicates, disseminates, and implements lender ...

ProVenture, LLC

Physical Therapist - Travel Contract

Nantucket, MA · On-site

$2.0K - $2.6K/wk

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Enjoy full-time pay, benefits, and relocation assistance in travel contracts that let you explore ... conservation area with marked trails and open coastal views. Downtown features the Whaling Museum ...

Princeton University

Registrar

Princeton, NJ

... contract conservation, rigging, etc. Assigns couriership duties to qualified Museum staff; acts as a courier periodically; trains new staff in couriership duties and protocols. Responsible for all ...

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All JobsContract Museum Conservation Jobs

Contract Museum Conservation information

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How much do contract museum conservation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 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 is a contract museum conservator?

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 skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a contract museum conservator?

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 are 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.

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.

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Contract Museum Conservation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Museum Conservation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,215 per year, or $20.8 per hour.

Porter

Whitney Museum of American Art

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$24/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

The Porter role consists of general cleaning and maintenance of office areas, lounges, restrooms, gallery floors, glass surfaces, lobby (including other front-of-house duties, conservation, Art Handling, library and storage facility at 610 West 26th street; general cleaning, set-up/break-down of special events/activities. Project cleaning for exhibition floor changes and overall maintenance of exterior largo; assist all departments with daily operations as requested and as needed.
Responsibilities
Primary:
  • Maintain the overall cleanliness of the building using diluted (ready-to-use) cleaning solutions, cleaning equipment, and other cleaning supplies as needed
  • Clean and maintain elevators, bathrooms, hallways, stairways throughout the day
  • Garbage removal
  • Maintain sidewalks and entrances to Museum and Loading Dock
  • Set-up/break-down furniture for events as needed
  • Clean and prepare Galleries floors, restroom and other surfaces as requested for events and installing/de-installing exhibitions
  • Move/deliver boxes (do not exceed 50 lbs; help will be provided if necessary)
  • Collect and/or clean dust mops, wet mops, and other tolls and equipment as needed
  • Operate vacuums and other cleaning equipment
General:
  • Cleaning, dusting, moving, setups, breakdowns, snow removal
Occasional:
  • Move furniture, files, brochures, etc.
  • Assist various Museum departments in setting up furniture for various events
  • Assist in detail cleaning of exhibition space (floors) after construction as well as office floors and carpets
  • De-install and re-install Museum spaces used for events
  • On-demand requests from Museum staff for assistant
  • Flood barrier deployment
Requirements
  • Minimum Highschool Diploma
  • Custodial work experience, floor maintenance preferred
  • Knowledge of facilities maintenance, cleaning supplies; operating buffer; ability to lift heavy objects(40lbs), furniture, equipment; ability to understand and take instruction and direction; ability work independently.
  • Ability to work and communicate with others, work in teams and small groups
  • Lift and move boxes, furniture and other objects as needed (not to exceed 50lbs)
  • Ability to work around cleaning chemicals and dust (dust mask provided as needed)
  • Self-motivated, takes initiative

Compensation & Benefits
  • Hourly rate of $24.00
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(B) elections
  • Generous PTO benefits
  • Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
  • Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally
  • Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike
  • This position may be covered by UAW Local 2110
The advertised pay rate is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates. Whether you're new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.
About the Whitney:
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.
EEO Statement:
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.

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