Assistant Art Technician

ASSISTANT ART TECHNICIAN

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES July 2017

1. Introduction

The Henry Moore Foundation was established by one of the greatest sculptors of the twentieth century. Today it is the largest artist-endowed grant-giving foundation in Europe. At the Foundation, we would like as many people as possible to enjoy and appreciate sculpture and in particular the work of Britain’s greatest sculptor, Henry Moore. We want to inspire and inform people of all ages and backgrounds, whether they have an interest in the arts, are studying sculpture or visiting with their family for a day out. We want to extend our reach to worldwide audiences through international touring of our collection; and to support the development of sculpture through our grants programme. We have bold ambitions that require us to capitalise on our assets in order to achieve these aims.

The Henry Moore Foundation is a registered charity, founded by the artist in 1977, in the last decade of his life, to encourage public appreciation of the visual arts, and in particular the works of Henry Moore. Our primary objectives are to preserve Moore's legacy at his home in Hertfordshire and through exhibitions of the Henry Moore Collections worldwide; supporting the study of sculpture and research at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds; and awarding grants to sculpture projects in the UK and abroad.

2. Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, Perry Green

Perry Green is the small hamlet in rural East Hertfordshire where Henry Moore made his home. Moore lived in Hoglands with his family for nearly half a century and created his extraordinary sculptures, prints and drawings in the various studios within the grounds. In 1977 Perry Green became the headquarters of the Henry Moore Foundation.

Sculpture gardens at Perry Green

Visitors to Henry Moore Studios & Gardens can experience Moore’s home and studios and enjoy his monumental bronze sculptures sited in the natural environment as he preferred. From natural meadows and woodland to formal gardens, the landscape offers a beautiful setting in which visitors can enjoy Moore’s work. There are 72 acres of beautiful countryside estate, encompassing five of Moore’s former studios and the sixteenth century Aisled Barn which houses Moore’s exceptional tapestries.

In the heart of the estate, the Sheep Field Barn, a contemporary gallery, houses an annual exhibition of Moore’s work. This year the Foundation presents Becoming Henry Moore, an exhibition charting Moore's creative journey from promising schoolboy to one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century. The exhibition traces the artist’s creative path and reveals the influences and inspirations behind his early works. Featuring rarely seen early Moore pieces and works by world famous artists - including Picasso, Modigliani, Hepworth, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.

New Visitor Centre & offices at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens

This year, following completion of a major capital project, the Foundation opened its newly refurbished visitor facilities and extended archive.

3. Collections and Touring

The Foundation has a large collection of Moore’s work consisting of over 12,000 objects including outdoor bronzes, wood and stone carvings, plaster maquettes and working models, over 3,500 drawings, 8,000 graphics including states and proofs, tapestries and textiles.

We organise a busy programme of national and international loans and exhibitions each year, taking the Henry Moore collections to thousands of people worldwide. In the last five years, exhibitions have been curated for the Rijksmuseum, Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire and Gagosian Galleries in London and New York; monumental bronzes have toured to open spaces in cities across Spain (2013-16); the Moore Rodin exhibition toured to Compton Verney House, Warwickshire (2014) and the Foundation collaborated with the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to present Henry Moore: Back to the Land (2015). During the last 12 months, the Foundation has presented a number of exhibitions in Northern Europe, concluding with an extensive exhibition currently showing at the Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck, Germany. February 2017 saw a unique collaboration with Burberry fashion house, inspiring their spring collection and culminating in an exhibition in Soho House, London. Plans are already well underway for forthcoming exhibitions in 2018 and beyond

4. Henry Moore Institute, Leeds

The Henry Moore Institute is a world-recognised centre for the study of sculpture in the heart of Leeds, offering a research centre, library, sculpture archive and exhibitions venue. The Institute hosts a year-round programme of exhibitions, conferences and lectures, as well as

developing research and publications, to expand the understanding and scholarship of historical and contemporary sculpture.

Together with Leeds Art Gallery the Institute manages the Leeds sculpture collection; a partnership that has built one of the most important public collections of British Sculpture, second only to the Tate collection. The Institute also houses and maintains the Leeds Museums & Galleries archive of sculptors' papers. ma 5. Advertisement: Assistant Art Technician Full Time

Salary: £17,000 + up to 12.5% employer’s pension contribution.

Location: Perry Green, East Hertfordshire

We are looking to appoint a budding art technician with an interest in sculpture, to join our Collections & Exhibitions department. Working as part of a small and dedicated team of technical, registrarial and curatorial staff, you will assist with the care of the Foundation’s collections (predominately sculpture and works on paper) and help to deliver a busy programme of exhibition installations and loans in the UK and overseas. The role requires a flexible self-starter, who will take just us much pride in keeping the workshops tidy as preparing works of art for a world class exhibition.

The successful candidate will have some experience (paid or voluntary) of working in a cultural organisation, ideally in a technical or operational capacity. You may already have a qualification in museum studies, history of art/fine art, however more important is a ‘can do’, enthusiastic attitude and enjoyment of learning and working as part of a team. Competency in working with tools and willingness to undertake manual work are essential, as is the flexibility to be able to travel and undertake occasional evening and weekend working (for which time off in lieu will be given). A mix of ‘on the job’ and formal training will be provided.

If you are excited by this opportunity and, having read the job specification, you have the credentials to meet the requirements of the role, we would be delighted to receive an application from you. A recruitment pack and application form are available on our website, where further information can be found about the Henry Moore Foundation: http://www.henry-moore.org.

Accommodation is available at a modest rent if required.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 10am on Tuesday 1 August 2017

INTERVIEWS: Wednesday 9 August 2017 at Perry Green, East Hertfordshire.

If you meet the person specification and are interested in this position but are on holiday during the above period, please contact Terry Millson (HR Team) to discuss your availability before continuing to complete an application form. While we cannot guarantee to accommodate all dates, we will aim to do so where possible within our recruitment timeline.

We are looking to appoint a candidate who is available to take up the post in September.

6. Principal Aims of Role

The Assistant Art Technician is part of the Collections & Exhibitions department, and works closely with a small and dedicated team of technical, registrarial and curatorial staff. S/he assists the technical and conservation team in the care of the Foundation’s collections, predominately sculpture and works on paper, and in the installation of exhibitions in the UK and overseas.

7. Job Description Responsibilities: . Assist with the care and maintenance of all aspects of the collection, including general preventative conservation procedures, and packing and storing works properly in accordance with best practice; . Assist in documenting all actions taken regarding a work from the collection (‘works upkeep’ history) including supporting photographic records throughout all procedures; . Warehouse handling, including safe and orderly movement of crates; . Cleanliness and orderliness of art storage spaces, packing spaces and workshops; . Maintenance of tools and conservation materials; . Assist with cleaning and waxing of sculptures in the grounds; . Undertake regular checks and ‘housekeeping’ of exhibition spaces and studios, to ensure high standards of presentation at all times; . Assist curatorial personnel with the viewing of artworks, getting works out of storage, unpacking, repacking and returning to storage; . Assist in the preparation of artworks and other display materials for exhibitions, including preparing spaces, outdoor sites and pedestals for internal and external display; . Assist with preparing and framing works on paper; . Assist with exhibition installation at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens and other locations in the UK and overseas; . Assist with the maintenance and installation of security devices fitted to art works; . Couriering works by road or air within the UK and overseas; . Report and document the condition of works before and after each transport and updating records; . Refitting packing cases for small objects and works on paper; . Assist registrarial team with the undertaking of inventory (annual and bimonthly); . Monitor the environmental controls in the gallery and storage areas and assist in the awareness of pest management; . Any other duties that may reasonably be required.

8. Training

The Assistant Art Technician will undertake a mix of ‘on the job’, internal and externally provided training in the following areas:

. Health and safety . Art handling . Packing techniques and wrapping art works . Slinging certificate for lifting heavy works . Forklift certificate (a driving license is desirable but not required to drive a forklift) . Condition reporting of artworks . Couriering artworks . Artwork security devices . Framing . Conservation techniques and methods in different media . Air palletisation . Known consignor certification (to pack works for air freight).

9. Person Specification The following experience, skills and attributes are required, or desirable, to fulfil this role. These criteria will be used to shortlist potential candidates so please tell us when and how you acquired any of these skills and experiences: . Experience of working or volunteering in a cultural organisation, ideally with some technical, art handling and/or installation experience (required) . An enthusiasm for learning new skills, evidenced by studies, traineeship or apprenticeship (required) . An interest in modern sculpture (required) . A qualification in museum studies, history of art, fine art or sculpture (desirable) . Ability to undertake manual work - including lifting and carrying (required) . Competency in working with tools (required) . Well organised and tidy in work spaces (required) . Ability to work to deadlines (required) . Excellent attention to visual detail (required) . A ‘can do’ enthusiastic attitude (required) . Enjoyment in working as part of a team (required) . Confident in face to face communications and ability to represent the Foundation (desirable) . Competence in Microsoft Office (Outlook and Word) and knowledge of databases (desirable) . A valid passport and willingness to travel in the UK and abroad (required) . Ability to work flexible hours that may include evenings and weekends in order to meet the installation timetables of exhibitions (required)

. Current full UK driving licence (desirable)

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK. S/he will receive a full security check (DBS) and comply with the Foundation’s security measures and Known Consignor regulations.

10. Line Management

The Assistant Art Technician reports to the Sculpture Conservator/Senior Art Technician and will work alongside the Art Technician and Conservation Technician (works on paper) as part of a team of four. The team also works very closely with the Registrar and other members of the curatorial team

11. Basic Terms and Conditions

. This is a full time permanent position. . The salary scale offered for this position is £17,000 - £19,700 p.a. Appointments are usually made at the starting end of the scale or commensurate with experience. . The normal working week is 35 hours Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm. . 23 days paid leave per annum plus three additional days at the discretion of management (usually offered between Christmas and New Year when the Foundation’s offices are closed). The leave year runs from 1 January to 31 December. . New employees will be auto-enrolled into a pension scheme. Both the Employee and Employer will be required to contribute 1% to the NEST pension scheme. Alternatively, permanent post-holders have the opportunity to join the Foundation’s Group Personal Pension Scheme (currently with Scottish Widows) into which the Employee is required to contribute 5% and the Employer will contribute 12.5%. All employees are advised to make contributions into a pension scheme. You may opt out if you chose to do so. Further details will be given to appointed candidates. . Probationary period of 6 months. . Notice period of one calendar month or one week during the probationary period. . The place of work is the Henry Moore Foundation, Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, Perry Green, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, SG10 6EE. Occasionally, employees may be required to visit the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds to work for one or two days at a time. All travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the Foundation’s Expenses Policy. . The selected candidate will be required to provide a passport and proof of address or other evidence, such as a work permit/visa, to show that s/he is eligible to work in the UK. . The selected candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check – formerly known as a CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) check - before permanent employment will be confirmed; employment will not be unreasonably withheld, but if the DBS check discloses any findings that are relevant to the employment and which were not declared on the job application form or at the time of an offer of employment, then this may result in the withdrawal of an offer of employment.

12. Practicalities of Working at Perry Green

The Foundation’s offices are set in a beautiful rural location but this means that it is necessary to have your own transport to get to work. The local bus service is extremely infrequent and the nearest bus stop is 1.5 miles away. There are no shops in Perry Green so employees bring their own lunch to work.

13. Application Process

If you are interested in this position and, having read the job specification, you have the credentials to meet the requirements of the role, we would be delighted to receive an application from you. Please apply using the application form supplied. When completing the form it would be helpful if you could address the requirements of the person specification and tell us about any gaps in your employment history. Thank you.

Further information about the Henry Moore Foundation is available at our website: http://www.henry-moore.org

Please return your completed form (no CVs please) to Terry Millson at terry@henry- moore.org by 10am on Tuesday 1 August 2017.

Interviews will take place for shortlisted candidates in Perry Green on Wednesday 9 August 2017.

We receive a large number of applications, so if you have not heard from us by Tuesday 8 August, it is unlikely that you have been selected for interview. Please accept our sincere thanks for your application.

Thank you for your interest in the Foundation.

Human Resources Department, Henry Moore Foundation