Head Preparator

J B Speed Art Museum•Frankfort, IN

1d•$60,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The Head Preparator oversees exhibition preparation, installation, art handling, safe storage, and gallery maintenance for both temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection. This role leads the preparation team and works collaboratively with registrars, curators, conservators, the exhibition manager, designers, facilities, security, visiting museum professionals, and external vendors to ensure artworks are installed, maintained, and presented according to professional museum standards. The Head Preparator serves as the primary technical decision-maker for exhibition installation methods, materials, and workflows, exercising professional judgment and escalating decisions only when required by institutional policy, budgetary constraints, or conservation considerations. The position provides hands-on technical expertise while guiding workflows, schedules, and priorities across multiple projects and plays a critical role in translating curatorial and design concepts into safe, practical, and visually compelling exhibitions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, Art History, Museum Studies, Exhibition Design, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in museum or gallery art handling, exhibition installation, or preparator work.
Demonstrated experience serving in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity.
Experience working collaboratively with registrars, curators, conservators, designers, and vendors.
Working knowledge of museum-standard art handling, packing/unpacking, and installation practices.
Experience with basic carpentry and fabrication, including mount-making, pedestals/platforms, casework support, and crate construction or modification.
Ability to safely operate ladders, pallet jacks, and lifts (forklift or scissor lift), or willingness to become trained.
Ability to guide and motivate teams, coordinate workflows, and support collaborative problem-solving.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities.
Clear and effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
Ability to lift and carry objects up to 50 lbs. and assist with heavier items using team lifts or equipment.
Ability to work at heights, climb ladders, operate lifts, and stand for extended periods.
Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends during installation periods.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to project planning, scheduling, or budgeting in an exhibition or production environment preferred.
Familiarity with exhibition layout or design software (e.g., SketchUp, CAD) preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead, supervise, and support preparators, technicians, and contracted crews.
Assign, prioritize, and sequence work to meet exhibition schedules and institutional deadlines.
Support hiring, training, evaluation, and performance management of preparation staff.
Promote safe work practices, professional growth, and a collaborative, respectful team culture.
Document workflows, technical solutions, and installation strategies to support continuity, training, and institutional knowledge retention during staff transitions.
Oversee and participate in the installation and deinstallation of artworks for temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection.
Direct the fabrication and installation of mounts, armatures, casework, platforms, pedestals, and other exhibition furniture.
Ensure all handling, movement, and installation of artworks follow established museum standards and conservation best practices.
Collaborate with conservators to assess installation risks, mounting strategies, and environmental considerations for sensitive or complex artworks.
Train staff in proper art-handling techniques, emphasizing care, precision, and respect for artworks.
Serve as the primary technical decision-maker for exhibition installation methods, materials, and workflows, escalating only when required by policy, budget, or conservation concerns.
Develop and manage installation schedules in coordination with registrars, curators, conservators, designers, and the exhibition manager.
Provide technical input on feasibility, materials, methods, and costs during exhibition planning and design development.
Track installation-related expenses and support project work within approved budgets.
Comfortably work with digital documentation systems for tracking installations, equipment, and art movement (e.g., shared drives, databases, TMS), in collaboration with registrars and collections staff.
Supervise routine gallery maintenance, including cleaning, lighting adjustments, label installation, and safety checks.
Collaborate with registrars to support orderly art storage, access, and equipment upkeep.
Assist with documentation related to installations, storage locations, and art movement.
Oversee and assist with packing, unpacking, crating, shipping, receiving, and local or regional transport of artworks.
Ensure compliance with loan agreements, condition reporting protocols, and courier requirements.
Occasionally assist with art transport or serve as a courier as needed.
Maintain oversight of the preparator workshop, tools, machinery, and equipment.
Monitor inventory of packing, crating, and installation materials and coordinate purchases, repairs, or fabrication needs.
Ensure safe use of tools, lifts, and equipment in accordance with museum policies and OSHA safety guidelines.
Follow and support institutional policies and procedures related to collections care and exhibition installation.
Identify and mitigate installation-related risks through advance planning, hazard assessment, and adherence to institutional safety protocols.
Uphold ethical standards consistent with AAM and AAMD professional guidelines.