Description

2024-2025 Preservation Society of Newport County Jules Allard Architectural Interiors Conservation Fellow

Job Summary

The Preservation Society of Newport County offers annual Residential Research Fellowships to scholars and emerging professionals, designed to provide dedicated time and resources for comprehensive projects relevant to the organization’s current needs in areas such as fine art, decorative art, material culture, landscape design, horticulture, social history, and historic preservation. The Preservation Society of Newport County Residential Fellowship is an opportunity to advance scholarship and gain specialized training and experience needed for future and emerging professionals seeking to pursue careers in academia, museums, historic preservation, historic houses and landscapes, or other cultural institutions.

Our Collections:

The Preservation Society of Newport County protects, preserves, and presents a remarkable collection of eleven historic house museums spanning the history of Newport from the Colonial period through the Gilded Age. Our properties include Hunter House (c.1748), Kingscote (1841), Chateau-sur-Mer (1852), Green Animals Topiary Garden (c.1860), Chepstow (1861), Isaac Bell House (1883), Marble House (1892), The Breakers (1895), The Breakers Stable and Carriage House (1895), The Elms (1901), and Rosecliff (1902). Housed within these architectural masterpieces are more than 60,000 artworks from all around the globe, dating from ancient times to the modern era.

Position Description

The Preservation Society of Newport County holds the largest known collection of interiors by designer Jules Allard, whose businesses in Paris and New York catered to a clientele of wealthy, socially ambitious Americans. This collection comprises interior paneling and architectural designs installed in several Newport Mansions, including The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House and Rosecliff.

The curatorial and conservation teams have embarked on a long-term study of collections from Allard’s workshop, beginning with a survey of all furniture attributed to Allard’s workshop. The 2024-2025 Allard Architectural Interior Fellow will work closely with both the Chief Conservator and Chief Curator with and without supervision to examine, survey and perform related research on designated architectural interiors of Jules Allard. The fellowship will focus on compiling technical documentation about construction, manufacture, installation, measurements, proportions, materials, finishes and conditions towards development of a treatment plan for select rooms. The Fellow also takes part in other activities within the Conservation Department.

Fellows must have the ability to complete research in a clearly defined area of study on a timeline that will result in regular deliverables. Additionally, all Fellows must present a public lecture and write a 2,500-3,000-word essay based on their area of research. Proven ability to work independently, organize and manage multiple projects, and meet rigorous deadlines is necessary, as are strong research, writing, and public speaking skills.

Fellows must contribute to the overall dynamics of the Fellowship Program through a high level of engagement with fellow scholars, Preservation Society staff, and peer institutions in and around Newport. As such, in addition to the formal research project, the Fellow will be assigned participatory assignments that fall outside the project or project scope. Thereby, a deep understanding will be gained that produces a holistic overview of the complex, yet essential, structure that allows non-profit institutions to offer truly compelling opportunities to diverse audiences. 

Requirements

Basic Qualifications

In order to be considered for the 2024-2025 Jules Allard Architectural Interiors Fellowship, candidates must have an MA in Historic Preservation, Building Conservation, Architectural History, Architecture, Design or a related field. Candidates should have an interest in historic interiors, building technology, building pathology, and/or conservation. The degree should have been conferred within five years from the start of the fellowship. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

· Demonstrated success authoring research inclusive of architectural design and typology, written and graphic documentation, and historic building technology. 

· Dedication to exploring and promoting paths to understanding the social histories, individual works, and collections of the PSNC.

· Proven ability to work independently, organize and manage multiple projects, and meet rigorous deadlines is necessary, as are strong research, writing, and public speaking skills.

Application Procedures

Please apply online with a cover letter indicating interest and suitability and a résumé or curriculum vitae. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting on May 15, 2024.

Interviews will be conducted with preferred candidates until position is filled. Successful interview candidates will be asked to provide two academic or professional references, an academic writing sample, and one personal reference.

Additional Information

The fellowship term is September 2024, to August 15, 20245. Residential Fellows receive $24,000 in annual compensation, dedicated research and travel budget, and housing at no cost in the Berwind-Stautberg Scholars Center.