Internship Opportunity: Research Internship
**This internship opportunity is exclusively available to current UG/PG students studying within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University**
Background to problem/situation
Gawthorpe Textiles Collection (GTC) stores its collection of over 30,000 textiles and craft items in the basement of Gawthorpe Hall. As an accredited museum, the charity has obligations to ensure that the collection is cared for to the best possible standards, preserving it for the future.
There are currently Hanwell environmental monitoring devices in the storage areas which feedback environmental data to the Lancashire County Council Hall Manager’s computer. However, there are currently no means of adapting the environmental controls in the spaces used, in response to any issues that may arise, other than manually switching on a dehumidifier or heater.
Periodically there are issues around mould on the outside of storage boxes and occasionally on the textiles themselves which require immediate conservation treatment by GTC staff and volunteers. The storage area is full to capacity and currently, there is little in the way of airflow. Some of the boxes being used for storage are thought not to be acid-free, and as such, these may be adding to problems.
GTC is a tenant within the Hall, any alterations to the spaces it uses would be reliant on gaining approvals from the County Council’s property team. In order to evidence the need for work to be carried out in these areas to improve the conditions, and in order to build a case for fundraising to that end if necessary, a piece of research is required to assess the current conditions and to make recommendations for improvements.
Project aims and objectives
- To assess the current condition of the storage areas in relation to them being fit for purpose (or otherwise) for the storage of museum collections.
- To recommend realistic and cost-effective solutions to improve environmental monitoring to maintain optimum and stable conditions in terms of temperature and relative humidity for stored items.
- To recommend alternate means of storage for items as appropriate.
- To provide a range of suggested solutions which could be implemented.
- To provide a document which can be used for discussion with the GTC Trustees and LCC which clearly sets out priority areas of improvement.
Main project activities
- Assess current storage conditions.
- Gain a sound understanding of the requirements in relation to accredited museums and optimum conditions for the storage of textiles.
- Research and select a range of solutions to the current issues, bearing in mind that it is a Grade 1 listed building.
- Provide a written report with prioritised recommendations and costings where possible.
What will happen as a result of the research
This piece of research will be used to inform the Trustees of GTC and their LCC landlords of the current conditions within the stores, setting out realistic recommendations for future improvements in line with professional museum standards. It will form the foundation of building cases for fundraising activity as necessary to enable works to be carried out.
This internship is for 140 hours in total.
Important Dates
Start Date: TBC
End Date: TBC
Closing Date: 2nd December 2018 at midnight
Interview date: TBC
Rate of Pay: £8.78 per hour (including holiday pay)
Adverts that display a closing date should be treated as a guide. We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
How to apply: Please send a CV and cover letter with your name and the job you wish to apply for as the title for each document to fassplacements@lancaster.ac.uk
This internship is funded by Lancaster University