Museum Catharijneconvent is the national museum of Christian art and culture, located in the heart of medieval Utrecht. Here, we tell the story of Christianity in the Netherlands. In addition to this national mission, the art-historical value of the collection also gives the museum international significance. The collection consists of approximately 80,000 art and cultural-historical objects related to Dutch Christian heritage, which the museum carefully collects, manages, and makes accessible. Maintaining the high standard of management and preservation of the collection is essential to realizing the museum’s ambitions and objectives.
Due to the departure of the current employee, there is currently a vacancy in the Collection Management department for a:
COLLECTION MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT (32 HOURS PER WEEK, 0.9 FTE)
For this position, we are looking for someone who is passionate about working with museum objects. Someone who is committed to caring for the collection in every way possible. Someone who can balance the importance of management and preservation against other priorities both within and outside the organization.
The Catharijneconvent Museum is preparing for a major renovation. New ideas and insights in the areas of management and conservation are key to this process.
The duties of the collection management staff member are:
- Placement of objects in storage, the permanent collection, and temporary exhibitions
- Domestic and international shipping of the collection
- Inspecting and reporting on the physical condition of the properties (preparing condition reports)
- Provide advice on improving storage conditions and protecting objects from damage
- Occasionally drafting and implementing layout plans for the warehouses
- Monitoring environmental conditions within the museum (light, temperature, and relative humidity) and checking for pests
- Keeping the storage areas clean (or having them cleaned) and removing loose debris from museum objects
- Designing and manufacturing (or having designed and manufactured) special fixtures for the protection and/or support of items such as mat boards and bookends
- Coordinating and supervising activities such as storage facility visits and photography, carried out by both internal and external parties
- Object photography for non-professional use and linking the images to the collection management system.
The employee reports to the Head of Collection Management
What you bring
- A completed associate's degree (Reinwardt Academy; preferably in management and conservation)
- At least three years of experience in a similar position
- Extensive knowledge of materials and how to work with them
- Up-to-date knowledge of management and preservation (including preventive conservation, display systems, and collection care)
You are
- Familiar with documentation processes and skilled in the accurate processing of administrative data (Adlib)
- Skilled in the careful handling of fragile objects
- Independent, flexible, and proactive
- Results- and solution-oriented
We offer
Museum Catharijneconvent offers terms of employment in accordance with the Museum Collective Labor Agreement. This position is classified in pay grade 7. It is a one-year contract for 32 hours (4 days) per week, with the possibility of a permanent contract. Start date: as soon as possible.
Interested or have questions?
For more information, please contact Sieske Binnendijk, Head of Collection Management, at 030-2313835. Please email your cover letter and resume no later than Thursday, December 1 to info@catharijneconvent.nl. The first round of talks will take place on December 13, 2022, and the second round on December 19, 2022.
