Preparator/Fabricator (Full-Time)

MASS MoCA•North Adams, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Preparator/Fabricator is a full-time hourly position, 40 hours per week that will work alongside the installation/fabrication staff. The ideal candidate will be a team player, who will work to achieve deadlines collaboratively. MASS MoCA is a vibrant non-collecting art museum with approximately 300,000 square feet of exhibition space. Half of that space is dedicated to rotating 10-month exhibitions of which we present 4 to 6 large-scale exhibitions per year, along with smaller projects. The additional space is dedicated to long-term exhibitions in conjunction with artists, estates, and collections that run from 10 months to 25 years. MASS MoCA frequently works directly with artists on the fabrication of new commissions and large scale site specific installations.

Requirements

Experience working with artists to realize their vision.
Minimum two years' work in the field of fabrication and art installation
Bachelor's degree in Art and Design (or equivalent experience)—we are open to any combination of alternative experience and school that you feel qualifies you for this position. Please use your cover letter and resume to convey this experience and why you feel it is relevant to the position.
Excellent work ethic, craftsmanship, practical problem-solving, creative thinking, embracing collaborative practice, and understanding of team spirit
The ability to communicate clearly with colleagues, collaborators, and artists
A high level of professional consideration for the art in our care
Knowledge of standards for packing, crating, handling, and installing artworks
Experience working in construction, in a workshop or fabrication shop

Nice To Haves

Any combination of the skills in wood, metal, moldmaking, and plastics, along with experience in the broad range of hand and power tools for manipulating these materials
Experience, confidence, ability in MIG, TIG, oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, arc welding, plasma cutting, and miscellaneous metal engineering machines
Knowledge of health and safety measures essential to all of the above processes.
Candidates can work comfortably and safely with height and has experience using ladders and scaffolding. Experience on scissor lifts is not required.
Experience with AV equipment and installation
Art-handling and packing etiquette, for installation and deinstallation.

Responsibilities

Art handling, including unloading and loading trucks, packing and unpacking fine art works, and working with registrars to safely install art.
Construction and manual labor, including light demolition, moving large objects with material handling equipment (excluding forklifts), painting, sanding, cleaning and other tasks related to exhibition installation in a museum environment.
Working with a team to assemble large and complex artworks.
Custom fabrication based on skill and experience, ranging from woodworking to metalworking, sculptural processes, etc.
Maintaining a positive rapport with colleagues and artists through challenging and complex installations.
Maintaining safe working spaces through clear communication and tidiness.