Art Preparator
About The Position
The Art Preparator is responsible for the handling and movement of any artwork at the Museum’s Elmwood campus, Offsite Storage Facility, and special project locations. They work closely with the Registration, Curatorial, Public Art, and Facilities Departments to ensure the timely installation and maintenance of the museum’s exhibition program, including projects organized in-house as well as those contracted from other institutions. The preparator also supports the Art Preparation Department in day-to-day operations including collection care, prepping works for loan, incoming acquisitions, photography, framing, transportation, and storage.
Requirements
- Two years plus experience in a museum, gallery, or appropriate fine art services setting
- Excellent art installation and art handling skills
- Applicable experience in the preparation of art objects for exhibition and loan
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite of products
- A dynamic team player
- A highly collaborative approach, with strong interpersonal and problem solving skills
- Organizational skills, demonstrating attention to detail and effective time management
- Good judgment in decision making
- Excellent communication skills
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and in emergent situations
- Ability to drive during transports to and from the Museum’s Offsite Storage Facility
- Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License and US Passport
- Must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds
- Ability to use varied hand tools
- Knowledge of art processes and materials
- Ability to ascend and descend ladders and lifts, as well as work from them when installing, maintaining, or deinstalling artworks on loan or in the Permanent Collection
- Comfortable working from heights
Nice To Haves
- Ideally, previous experience with tracking, rigging, crating, lifts, and other specialized equipment
- Ideally, previous experience in framing, woodworking, metalworking, lighting, or construction
Responsibilities
- Aids in all aspects of the handling and movement of artwork in the collection and on view in exhibitions
- Serves as an integral team member, by learning proper processes, materials, and techniques
- Responsible for keeping up-to-date in the ways in which to safely handle and properly display works of art in all media
- Responsible for the safe and organized storage of all art objects in the Permanent Collection, which includes moving, packing, unpacking, receiving, installing, de-installing, and their receipt and release, as needed
- Helps maintain a proper up-to-date inventory of any movement of works of art, accessories, and empty crates with the Registrars
- Aids in the transport of works of art between the museum’s main campus and offsite storage facility
- Assists in the transport of non-art objects such as empty crates, tools, and materials between the museum’s main campus and offsite storage facility
- As appropriate, acts as courier for objects in the Collection when on loan to other institutions
- Often collaborates with the Public Art team to assists on special projects as needed
- Facilitates internal communication by participating in team meetings and sharing knowledge, skills, and experience with co-workers
- Assists the staff and outside researchers requiring access to works in the collection
- Maintains a consistent flow of productivity and efficiency
- Participates in opportunities to advance professional growth
- Performs other duties as emergent situations require
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
