Join our team

We are looking for Easel Painting Conservators for a 3 month project in Cumbria. The team will be conserving a number of traditional paintings from a large historic estate collection.

Remedial treatments include aesthetic and structural work, as well as preventive measures. As the project involves both routine and complex treatments, it is a great opportunity for experienced Easel Painting Conservators as well as those looking to gain early career experience.

The project is expected to be completed at the end of May and will primarily be based in our Carlisle studio.

To apply, please email [email protected] with a CV and portfolio.

This is an exciting opportunity to gain experience working in a busy commercial conservation studio.

We are looking for current painting conservation students and recent graduates who are wanting hands-on practical experience to develop their skills.

As a busy private studio, we deal with a wide variety of traditional oil paintings and contemporary artworks, so can provide a range of experience working with unusual and challenging paintings. Interns will have the opportunity to examine, document and treat paintings, as well as get involved in the daily activities of the studio.

Applicants should be adaptable and able to problem solve in order to find the best treatment options for each individual painting. They will need the ability to work independently and as part of a team and be motivated to develop their skills as a painting conservator.

Previous experience in private practice is preferred but not required as you will be fully supported and supervised by our team of conservators.

The internship will run for 8 weeks from a flexible start date in Spring/Summer 2024 and is based in our Carlisle studio in northern England.

Accommodation is provided and a monthly stipend of £600.00.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate eligibility to work in the UK.

Please send applications to [email protected] by 1st March 2024 with a CV, conservation portfolio and cover letter including your availability.

For details about our Summer 2024 internship positions, please click here.

Please note that these positions are for administrative roles and suitable for university students studying Art History or similar subjects. Internships for students on conservation masters degrees / early career conservators will be advertised separately.

We are looking for a furniture expert to provide a vital part of our nationwide restoration service. Based in a state-of-the-art studio in Carlisle, you will have the opportunity to repair and restore a wide variety of antique and modern furniture.

Who are we looking for?

The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience of traditional furniture craftsmanship including French polishing, veneers, staining and joinery. Historic skills such as marquetry and caning are advantageous but not essential.

You will have the ability to work as a team or independently with a flexible approach to the mixture of work that comes to the furniture studio.

We provide a bespoke approach to furniture restoration, either finishing pieces to a historically accurate standard or to a client’s modern taste.

What does the role offer?

• A professional studio setting where you will work alongside restoration experts who conserve paintings, paper, ceramics, frames, gilding and more
• The chance to work on a wide variety of high value and historically important pieces with a steady influx of new work every month
• Support from an administrative team who assist with customer service, purchasing new equipment and workflow
• Flexible working hours are considered for this position

To apply for this position, please email [email protected] with a covering letter and CV addressed to Chris Bull.

We are offering an exciting opportunity to have your writing published and shared with our many esteemed clients.

Successful applicants will receive:

• £50 per article published
• Editing assistance and guidance
• Full upload to our website including captioned imagery
• The chance to showcase your art historical passion
• An opportunity to add published work to your CV for your future career prospects

What will the article look like?

• A short paragraph about yourself and where you study
• An art historical topic that you think would benefit art collectors and conservation clients
• 800-1500 words
• Written for a non-academic audience
• Explain the themes, materials and history of your chosen topic
• Mention the benefits of having this type of artwork restored
• Links to relevant images, preferably public domain (we are happy to offer pointers on where to find good public domain artwork imagery)

To give you an idea of our current articles, please look here.

This is not limited to oil paintings – we would love to see applications that also mention ceramics, sculptures, furniture, paper and unusual materials. You may also want to report on recent restoration projects from around the world.

To send a proposal, please include the following:

1. Your chosen topic
2. Outline the sub-topics within the article (see our previous articles for guidance on layout)
3. How you will combine the topic of restoration

You do not need to submit the full article, just the above three points. Successful articles will be edited and uploaded to our website over the summer and shared with thousands of clients across the world. 

E-mail your proposal and any questions to [email protected] 

We are seeking a full-time Senior Easel Painting Conservator with at least 20 years of working experience in Painting Conservation and ICON/PACR accreditation to join our busy Carlisle, Cumbria studio.

Working alongside our team of multidisciplinary conservators you will work on a range of practical treatments and assessments for our private clients, institutions and insurance companies. 

In addition to studio work, the ideal candidate will support our business development lead by targeting and expanding our conservation services to a wide range of clients such as churches, museums and other heritage organisations. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Verbal and written assessments, condition reports and treatment proposals.
• Examination and treatment of historic and contemporary paintings, painted surfaces and artefacts in the studio and on-site.
• Familiarity and adherence to the ICON practices of conservation and museum-quality standards.
• Varnish removal, re-varnishing, surface cleaning (from dirt, mould etc.), removal of overpainting and retouching of oil paintings and artworks.
• Repair of complex tears, dents, flaking paint, cracked and warped supports or delamination.
• Ability to complete routine filling, lining, stretching and in-painting with minimally intrusive techniques.
• Accurately match colours, paint application appearance and techniques of artists.
• Cleaning, repair and gilding of frames.
• Working under your own initiative in a fast-paced team environment.
• Solve complex treatment issues and work under pressure to meet deadlines whilst upholding confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, risk management and an eye for detail.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage people and associated workflow effectively.
• Travel for on-site conservation projects is possible
• Prior experience in developing and growing relationships with other organisations and businesses within the sector.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

EDUCATION: Degree in Art Conservation, or commensurate conservation apprentice training and experience.

EXPERIENCE: At least 20 years of painting and painted surface conservation experience. Working knowledge of art history, chemistry, studio art technique and ICON conservation standards are a must. Demonstrable business experience and a clear understanding of commercial working practices are essential.

The candidate should have ICON/PACR accreditation.

COMPANY BENEFITS:

• 20 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Salary £30,000 – £68,000 

To apply for this position, please email [email protected] with a covering letter and CV addressed to Chris Bull.

We are seeking a full-time Easel Painting Conservator with at least 3 years of working experience in Painting Conservation to join our busy Carlisle, Cumbria studio.

You will work on a range of practical treatments and assessments for our private clients, institutions and insurance companies.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Verbal and written assessments, condition reports and treatment proposals.
• Examination and treatment of historic and artistic paintings, painted surfaces and artefacts in the studio and on-site.
• Familiarity and adherence to the Icon practices of conservation and museum-quality standards.
• Varnish removal, re-varnishing, surface cleaning (from dirt, mould etc.), removal of overpainting and retouching of oil paintings and artworks.
• Repair of complex tears, dents, flaking paint, cracked and warped supports or delamination.
• Ability to complete routine filling, lining, stretching and in-painting with minimally intrusive techniques.
• Accurately match colours, paint application appearance and techniques of artists.
• Cleaning, repair and gilding of frames.
• Working under your own initiative in a fast-paced team environment.
• Solve complex treatment issues and work under pressure to meet deadlines whilst upholding confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, risk management and an eye for detail.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage workflow effectively.
• Travel for on-site conservation projects is possible.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

EDUCATION: Degree in Art Conservation, or commensurate conservation apprentice training and experience.

EXPERIENCE: At least 3 years of painting and painted surface conservation. Working knowledge of art history, chemistry, studio art technique and ICON conservation standards are a must.

COMPANY BENEFITS:

• Salary: £22,000-£30,000
• 20 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

To apply for this position, please email [email protected] with a covering letter and CV addressed to Chris Bull.