Art Handler

21c Museum Hotels•Louisville, KY

About The Position

The Art Handler is responsible for museum exhibition preparation, installation, de-installation, and transportation, and helps ensure the safe handling of artworks in the 21c collection and incoming and outgoing loans. Working with the museum team and under the direction of the Registrar and Collections Manager, the Art Handler also supports collection care through packing and unpacking, artwork assembly and disassembly, exhibition preparation, shipping and receiving, and other collection projects. The role involves installing and moving artwork in galleries and storage areas; installing lighting, labels, and vinyl; constructing or retrofitting crates; staging works for exhibitions; and assisting with condition assessment and testing under supervision. The Art Handler also maintains crate labels, object transfer forms, and bills of lading, moves packed works onto and off trucks, and maintains museum tools and equipment. The position requires travel for exhibition installations and de-installations, which may last from one or two days to two weeks. Driving heavy-duty trucks over long distances and occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Requirements

One to two years of museum or gallery experience.
Organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to focus on tasks, and effective communication skills.
Positive and professional demeanor; ability to follow instructions and complete tasks quickly and safely.
Strong initiative and work ethic, and ability to work as part of a team.
Experience installing a wide variety of artworks, including digital media works.
Experience with condition reports.
Knowledge of museum exhibition design and construction, lighting concepts and systems, safety regulations and procedures, and ADA requirements.
Knowledge of art-handling procedures for two- and three-dimensional objects of varied materials, sizes, and weights.
Knowledge of standard tools, practices, and methods used in painting, rough and finish carpentry, and cabinet work.
Experience using materials such as lumber, fabrics, plastics, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to interpret working drawings and participate effectively on a cross-functional team.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with museum, hotel, and restaurant staff, the public, and representatives of other museums.
Ability to explain and carry out procedures for handling irreplaceable art objects.
Ability to pass DOT-required physical examinations to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate from a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry.
Willingness to travel for exhibition installation and de-installation assignments lasting from one or two days to two weeks.
Ability to drive heavy-duty trucks over long distances and work occasional weekends and evenings as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience driving a 26-foot truck.
Preferred forklift experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare, install, de-install, move, store, and transport artworks in galleries and storage areas.
Install lighting, labels, and vinyl for exhibitions.
Construct and retrofit packs and crates based on the needs of individual artworks, coordinating packing materials and requirements with the Collections Manager.
Pack and unpack artworks; pull and efficiently stage works for exhibitions.
Assist with assessing artwork condition and testing works before exhibitions under the supervision of the Collections Manager and/or Registrar.
Update, format, and maintain crate labels, object transfer forms, and bills of lading for collection artworks and incoming and outgoing loans.
Move crated or packed works on and off trucks.
Maintain museum tools, hardware, and other equipment.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with the museum team and other museum, hotel, and restaurant staff.
Travel to install and de-install exhibitions, and perform other duties as needed and required.