Conservator, Works on Paper

Art Gallery of Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 78,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free AGO exhibition tickets

Relocation allowance

GoodLife Fitness discounts

Pension plan after 1 year

Job summary

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Toronto is seeking a Conservator, Works on Paper to join our Conservation team. Under the Head of Conservation, you will document, preventively care for, and treat works on paper, while advising on preservation and external collaborations.

Qualifications include a Master’s in conservation and 5+ years in a museum context, with expertise in paper conservation, safety standards, and ethical practices. The role offers a strong salary with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in conservation is required.
• Minimum five years of related museum conservation experience (paper).
• Extensive knowledge of conservation principles, materials and techniques for art on paper.
• Knowledge of CAC CAPC ethics and guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Assess condition, diagnose problems, and perform conservation treatment on works of art on paper.
• Conduct technical examinations to support acquisitions, loans and exhibitions; document findings.
• Define conservation criteria for framing, mounting, handling, storage, and exhibitions.
• Advise and represent the Gallery on conservation matters; engage with external organizations.

Skills

Conservation principles

Health and safety knowledge

Materials and techniques for paper

Research and synthesis

Hand-eye coordination

Communication and negotiation

Education

Master's degree in conservation

Job description

Conservator, Works on Paper

Regular Full-Time (Permanent Full-Time)

35 hours per week

ART + AUDIENCE + LEARNING

Posted on September 09, 2026

Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists and European masterpieces.

AGO Values:

• Respect:We foster belonging and appreciate each other.
• Openness:We interact with an open mind and thoughtful engagement.
• Collaboration:We believe in the power of together.
• Accountability:We own our actions and outcomes.

We are currently seeking a Regular Full-Time, Conservator, Works on Paper to join our Conservation team. Under the direction of the Head of Conservation, the incumbent will prolong the physical and aesthetic life of works of art on paper through documentation, preventive care, conservation treatment, research, and education. Promote and advocate the preservation of works in the collection or in the temporary custody of the Gallery. Provides advice and expertise concerning the aesthetic, conceptual and physical characteristics of works of art.

The salary range for this position is 77,932 - $97,388 per annum.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assesses condition, diagnoses conservation problems, and performs conservation treatment on works of art on paper in the permanent collections or temporary custody of the Gallery to prevent damage, retard deterioration and to improve the structural stability and the appearance of the object.
• Performs technical examinations of works of art on paper to define the preservation and conservation implications for acquisition, loan and exhibition. May identify reproductions, fakes, or forgeries. Documents findings and prepares reports for purposes of financial appraisal and for submission to the Cultural Property Export Review Board.
• Defines conservation criteria to be met for framing, mounting, handling, packing, crating, storage, shipping, security measures, exhibition and loan parameters for individual works of art or collections. Defines conservation specifications for relative humidity, temperature and light for all areas in the building where works of art are located. Defines conservation criteria to be met in the design, planning and installation of exhibitions and individual works of art. Defines preservation criteria to be met by external groups/clients using gallery spaces and facilities for special events, photography and filming.
• Acts as a consultant/specialist on behalf of the Gallery by: responding to inquiries from collectors, artists, the public and other institutions regarding materials and preservation of works of art; referring inquiries to other specialists as required; representing the Gallery to sister institutions or other external organizations regarding conservation issues and practices; conducting lectures and seminars and publishing articles on various conservation topics.
• Maintains awareness of developments in policies, practices, techniques and materials in conservation of art through research, written correspondence, membership in professional organizations and participation at lectures, conferences and training seminars. Assesses relevance and impact of information on Gallery conservation standards and practices and negotiates changes as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Our ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Masters degree in conservation from a recognized university or college, plus five years related experience in an art museum, or equivalent combination of education and years of directly related experience with the conservation of fine art on paper.
• Excellent knowledge of and applied experience of conservation principles, practices, materials and techniques for art on paper.
• Excellent knowledge of health and safety legislation, regulations and practices.
• Knowledge of materials and techniques, aesthetic and historical significance of works of art.
• Knowledge of the “Code of Ethics and Guidance for Practice” of the Canadian Association for Conservation of Cultural Property (CAC) and of the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators (CAPC).
• Ability to perform delicate operations affecting the condition and appearance of works of art; excellent hand-eye co-ordination and manual dexterity.
• Ability to conduct research according to established scientific practice; to synthesize and interpret information.
• Ability to operate specialized technical and scientific equipment.
• Excellent trained, visual discrimination abilities.
• Ingenuity and creative problem-solving skills
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, consultation and negotiation skills.

Language of Work:

• English

Location of Work:

• Art Gallery of Ontario

317 Dundas Ave West

Toronto, ON

M5T 1G4

Compensation & Benefits:

• Annual base salary range of $77,932 to $97,388 per annum based on qualifications, skills, and
• Annual wage increases are available
• Medical Benefits, Dental Benefits, Vision Care Benefits
• Long term disability insurance and Life Insurance Benefits
• Group insurance benefits
• Pension Plan upon completion of one (1) year of service
• Paid vacation days after one (1) year of service
• Relocation allowance to be considered
• Discounts from the Provincial/City Reciprocal Agreements (Free admission to museums, the CN Tower & discounts off amusement parks, city attractions, hotels, wine tours, Second City, the Ontario Science Centre, and much more!)
• Discounts to GoodLife Fitness
• Free tickets to every major exhibit at AGO

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility:

At the AGO, we lead global conversations from Toronto through extraordinary collections, exhibitions, and programs, reflecting the diverse community we serve. Committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, we embed these values into our strategic plan and ongoing priorities.

The Art Gallery of Ontario is an Equal Opportunity Employer.