Outdoor Art Technician

Art and Wellness Enterprises•Bentonville, AR

About The Position

Reporting to the Head of Art Preparation and Collection Care, this role is broadly responsible for the implementation of initiatives focused on installation and care for outdoor sculpture on the grounds of Crystal Bridges and AWE ecosystem properties. The Outdoor Art Technician will represent the Art Preparation and Collection Care team on a committee including Registration, Trails and Grounds, Construction and Curatorial specifically tasked with acquisition, installation, routine care, conservation and relocation of outdoor sculpture. With an emphasis on improved stewardship of the Museum’s outdoor sculpture collection, the Outdoor Art Technician will develop and execute long-term plans for maintenance and preventative care for objects in bronze, steel, enameled and powdercoated surfaces, fiberglass, glass, aluminum and concrete. The Outdoor Art Technician will also assist as needed with general art handling responsibilities, such as accessing works in storage vaults, loading and unloading fine art trucks, transportation, installation, deinstallation, and related tasks for artwork in special exhibitions and the permanent galleries, both inside the museum and on the museum grounds.

Requirements

Experience managing artwork installation projects and details such as budgeting, scheduling and staffing
Knowledge of materials and techniques employed in artwork rigging and experience strapping and lifting outdoor sculpture
Knowledge of archival materials for display, transportation, and storage of various types of artworks
Proficiency in operating equipment such as reachforks, forklifts and gantries for handling crated and uncrated artwork
Proficiency with basic hand tools, power tools basic carpentry techniques.
Knowledge of safe museum practices and skilled in handling various mediums of art
Aesthetic sensibility and strong sense of design.
Knowledge of art and art history.
Excellent attention to detail.
Superior problem-solving ability.
Excellent time-management, planning, and teamwork skills.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
Self-motivated, goal oriented, and able to manage project load.
Minimum 5 years of museum, gallery, or installation experience.
Minimum 3 years of experience installing and caring for outdoor artwork.
In the work environment described below, position requires verbal and written conversation with others, sitting, standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching, strenuous lifting/moving objects up to 50 pounds, and use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Position requires use of hands to safely handle and move collection objects according to the most current approved museum standards.
Position periodically requires standing for prolonged periods of time.
Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
Must be comfortable working on ladders and lifts up to 35’.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Responsibilities

Contributes to pre-acquisition reviews of outdoor sculpture, highlighting logistical and budgetary needs regarding installation and maintenance
Coordinates all aspects of installation in collaboration with Trails & Grounds, Registration, Curatorial and other department representatives. This includes managing a budget for footings, risers or other artwork interfaces, contracted service providers and equipment rentals, as well as drafting service provider agreements for contracted service providers.
Manages the unloading of incoming outdoor artwork at museum campus, ecosystem properties, offsite storage, etc. Advance coordination of staging or laydown spaces and use of contracted service providers for oversized unloading may be required.
Documents installation specifications, installation/handling notes, maintenance and conservation treatments in digital and physical files, including up to date schedule and budget information for known preventative maintenance needs
Develops budget proposals for annual maintenance and specific conservation needs
Trains and supervises peers and other staff for special projects related to the installation or care and maintenance of outdoor artwork
Creates staffing plans for weekly, monthly and annual artwork maintenance needs
Oversees a thorough digital log of outdoor art maintenance activity
Coordinates ongoing access and infrastructure needs such as lighting, drainage, water, power or vehicle access with Trails & Grounds and Construction departments and proposes updates to infrastructure as needed in response to changes in maintenance or conservation methodology
Coordinates assessments and treatments by contracted conservators or technicians both onsite at Crystal Bridges and remotely at the location of borrowers, lenders or dealer
Provides oversight of any contracted work onsite at Crystal Bridges or other ecosystem sites, ensuring compliance with OSHA safety guidelines as well as Crystal Bridges operating procedures
Designs mounting for outdoor artworks, including subgrade structures, in conjunction with contracted structural engineers. Render mountings in 3D modeling software like CAD or SketchUp to facilitate clear understandings of dimensioned structures across the team
Coordinates crating and storage for outdoor artwork with contracted Fine Art Services providers and ecosystem staff
Designs and constructs packing solutions, display accessories, and related items as needed for artwork, objects, and artifacts.
Proficient with all aspects of installation and rotations in permanent gallery spaces, temporary gallery spaces, and outdoor sculpture trails.
Proficient in gallery lighting according to conservation standards for various media.
Assists in the packing and unpacking of collection objects and loans.
Handles loading and unloading of art trucks in a timely and efficient manner.
Acts as courier for collection loans to oversee unpacking and installation.
Assists with the care and cleanliness of all casework and platforms throughout the museum facility on a regular basis.
Helps to maintain an organized, clean, and functional working prep space.