Lead Art Handler

AccorHotel•Louisville, KY

About The Position

The Lead Art Handler is responsible for museum exhibition preparation, installation, de-installation, transportation, storage, and safe handling of artworks at 21c Museums and the associated storage facility. The role requires broad hands-on experience and flexibility, and includes serving as a custodian for collection and loaned objects in collaboration with the museum team. Under the direction of the Director of Collections, the Lead Art Handler assists with packing and unpacking, assembly and disassembly, preparing works for exhibition, shipping and receiving, and other collection projects. The position requires travel several times a year for exhibition installations and de-installations, ranging from 1–2 days to two weeks. It also involves driving heavy-duty trucks over long distances and occasional weekend and evening work as needed.

Requirements

3–5 years of museum or gallery experience.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, focus, and effective communication skills.
Positive and professional demeanor; ability to follow instructions and complete tasks quickly and safely.
Experience using and maintaining collections databases or software; Collector Systems is specified.
Experience with museum exhibit construction, mount-making principles, lighting concepts and systems, safety regulations and procedures, and ADA requirements.
Initiative, strong work ethic, and ability to work well on a team.
Knowledge of handling two- and three-dimensional artworks across a range of materials, sizes, and weights, including digital media works.
Experience conducting inventory, housing, and re-housing projects.
Knowledge of supervision principles and training practices and procedures.
Knowledge of standard tools and methods used in painting, rough and finish carpentry, and cabinet work.
Ability to plan, prioritize, schedule, implement, and oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to prepare cost estimates and make sound purchasing decisions.
Experience using and applying materials such as lumber, fabrics, plastics, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives.
Ability to lift up to 75+ pounds.
Ability to interpret working drawings.
Ability to participate effectively on a cross-functional team and 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 necessary to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate from a certified examiner listed on the National Registry.
Willingness to travel several times a year for exhibition installations and de-installations, for periods ranging from 1–2 days to two weeks.
Ability to drive heavy-duty trucks over long distances and work occasional weekends and evenings as needed.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience driving a 26-foot truck.
Preferred forklift experience.
Preferred experience using a pallet jack.

Responsibilities

Onboard and advise permanent and temporary art handlers and contractors, and work alongside them to prepare, pack, install, and de-install artworks.
Reinforce proper handling procedures for two- and three-dimensional artworks across a variety of materials, sizes, and weights.
Prepare for exhibition changeouts by organizing outgoing crates and packs, creating and reviewing truck lists, putting away returned crates and packs, and assisting with lighting and vinyl installation.
Assist the Director of Collections with departmental budget development and with budgets for art-storage layout and housing projects.
Work with the Chief Curator, Senior Director of Museum Operations, and Director of Collections on planning, installation, and maintenance of temporary and permanent art projects.
Assess and source project needs, including staffing and materials.
Construct packs and crates for individual artworks and determine appropriate packing materials and requirements with the Director of Collections and Design Preparator.
Assist with retrofitting existing crates and constructing new slat crates.
Assess condition and test artworks before exhibitions.
Provide technical support for artworks with time-based media components.
Under the guidance of the Director of Collections, update, format, and maintain object locations in art storage, including creating and applying crate labels and barcodes.
Communicate effectively with the museum team.
Maintain and inventory museum tools, hardware, and other equipment.
Organize and maintain art storage.
Perform other duties as needed and required.