By Kathleen McLaughlin, The IBJ
kmclaughlin@ibj.com
Art conservators are like Santa's elves, working anonymously and unseen on objects that bring great joy to other people. But instead of toys, conservators concentrate on the paintings and objects that can make their museums renowned.
So the excitement in Conservator-in-Charge David Miller's voice wasn't surprising after he learned today that the Indianapolis Museum of Art would receive $1.75 million from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to endow its first conservation scientist.
Whoever fills the position will be able to spend a $2.6 million Lilly Endowment grant to build a state-of-the-art lab, publish research in scientific journals, and help Miller and six other conservators pursue a reputation that's been reserved for the likes of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Getty Conservation Institute.
"This is something we wanted to do, but never suspected we'd get to this point," Miller said from his office in the IMA's basement. "This is very exciting for all of us."
Miller hopes to find that rare PhD scientist with expertise in artists' materials by fall, but the IMA still has work to do. The Mellon Foundation requires the museum to match its grant with $1.5 million in three years.
The fund-raising will begin during the worst recession since 1982, at a time when many philanthropists are focused more on emergency needs than capital campaigns.
Museum spokeswoman Katie Zarich said, "I don't know that I'd categorize this as a capital campaign. It's a special project that we see further enhancing our mission."
The museum has been trimming its budget and delayed completion of the 100-acre Art and Nature Park because of endowment losses.
"We're trying to operate in a smart way, but there are certain projects we don't want to lose momentum," Zarich said.
The museum plans to establish a scientific advisory committee, which will help the new senior scientist with fund-raising efforts, Miller said. If successful in securing the matching money, Miller hopes to eventually hire a second scientist and start a fellowship.
The IMA received the $2.6 million Lilly Endowment grant last fall. The equipment alone will put the IMA's conservation department in the big leagues, Miller said. "There are few museums that have this kind of facility."
In past years, the IMA has used equipment at Lilly and IUPUI to finish special projects, including the book that Miller and fellow conservator Ronda Kasl published on works by Italian Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini.
Most of the IMA's collection has never fallen under the microscope, so the new senior scientist, who may have a background in organic chemistry or materials engineering, will have a wide-open field, Miller said.
One could delve into the little-known origins of materials in African objects, ancient Asian ceramics technology, or conservation of modern synthetics.
"No doubt that the scientist will be creating publishable research," Miller said. "It can go in any number of directions."