Preparator II
About The Position
The Preparator II is a member of The Huntington’s Preparation Department within the Registration and Collection Management Department. The role supports planning and implementation of special exhibitions, permanent collection rotations, and collections care as part of a team of preparatory staff. Its primary responsibility is to assist with handling, display preparation, installation, packing, storage, and care of artworks according to museum standards. The position reports to the Head of Preparations. The Preparator II works with colleagues in Registration, Exhibitions, and Preservation on object preparation, exhibition installation and de-installation, gallery rotations, and collection rehousing. The position also helps maintain exhibition lighting and audiovisual elements, prepares mounts and frames, transports artworks, tracks object locations and preparation status, and contributes to training and guidance for apprentices. Work takes place in gallery, workshop, and office settings, mostly indoors, with occasional outdoor work.
Requirements
- Three to four years of experience in preparation, collections management, and installation in a gallery or museum setting.
- Expertise in industry-standard materials, processes, equipment, and safety protocols.
- Excellent working knowledge of installation methods.
- Proficiency in mounting, matting, and framing works on paper.
- Extensive experience using heavy equipment, including scissor lifts, gantries, pallet jacks, and pedal lifts.
- Safe driving record.
- Demonstrated knowledge of art-handling procedures for two- and three-dimensional objects of various materials, sizes, and weights.
- Knowledge of museum-quality packing and crating.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds.
- Professional conduct and ability to establish positive working relationships with museum staff, representatives from other arts institutions, consultants, artists, and vendors.
Nice To Haves
- Ability to plan, prioritize, multitask, and meet deadlines.
- Woodworking and/or metalworking skills.
- Working knowledge of fabrication methods.
- Ability to ensure adherence to the institution’s brand in all activities.
- Facility with word processing, Excel, and Outlook/Gmail.
- Solutions-oriented, diplomatic problem-solving skills and a team-player approach.
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Assist with object preparation, exhibition installation and de-installation, gallery rotations, and collection rehousing projects.
- Receive, unpack, pack, handle, and install artworks and collection objects.
- Assist curators with placement of artworks in galleries.
- Hinge, mat, and frame artworks.
- Generate profiles and schematics for display mounts, including book cradles and slants.
- Create or modify display mounts and case risers or buildups.
- Perform carpentry work, including retrofitting crates and modifying pedestals.
- Spackle and paint.
- Light exhibitions to Curatorial and Preservation standards.
- Monitor and maintain exhibition lighting and audiovisual elements.
- Perform regular gallery dusting and cleaning.
- Assist with buildouts of historic painting frames.
- Organize supplies and communicate resupply needs.
- Drive art preparation vehicles to transport art on and off campus.
- Attend and occasionally lead in-house training workshops on Huntington object preparation procedures.
- Provide guidance to Broad DAP apprentices during their placement at The Huntington.
- Attend regular departmental and object review meetings, and consult with the Preservation Department on object preparation needs.
- Provide input to supervisors and colleagues on preparation and installation methods.
- Share project status information with the supervisor and colleagues.
- Access FileMaker and TMS databases for object information.
- Update object preparation status using Excel.
- Track and communicate object location changes.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 403(b) retirement plan and matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match.
- Paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays.
- Staff discounts at The Huntington Store and restaurants.
- Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions.
- Free monthly passes for family and friends to visit the grounds.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
