Senior Museum Preparator (3522)
About The Position
The Asian Art Museum seeks a skilled Senior Museum Preparator to support the construction, installation, de-installation, and safe handling of artworks for exhibitions and gallery rotations. Working closely with a cross-departmental creative team, this role helps bring exhibitions to fruition through expert craftsmanship, problem-solving, and thoughtful design collaboration. Under direction, this position constructs museum-quality fixtures, showcases, pedestals, temporary walls, and mounts; installs and arranges exhibits; packs, unpacks, and oversees storage of art objects; and performs related duties as assigned. Work requires a high degree of manual dexterity and exceptional care in handling valuable artworks.
Requirements
- Possession of an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Art, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, or a related field.
- Two (2) years of verifiable experience in: Preparation, fabrication, installation, and care of valuable artworks; Museum mount-making; Building exhibition furniture; Working in a museum, gallery, or traveling exhibition program
- Valid California Driver’s License.
Nice To Haves
- Experience supervising or leading installation teams
- Experience preparing exhibitions in a fine art museum
- Knowledge of museum mount-making materials and methods
- Familiarity with digital tools for shop drawings and basic design layouts
Responsibilities
- Confers with curatorial, design, and other staff in planning and constructing exhibit components; designs and builds installation elements, such as showcases, pedestals, partitions, and special effects; paints and wallpapers exhibition spaces; adjusts and installs lighting; hangs artworks and sets up sculptures; and serves as a lead during installation, removal, and salvage of exhibition fixtures.
- Prepares cost and material estimates for construction and installation projects; requisitions lumber, supplies, and specialized equipment.
- Packs, ships, receives, and unpacks paintings and other valuable objects; supervises storage and inventory of paintings, statuary, and furniture; notifies the registrar of any discrepancies.
- Uses professional-grade hand and power tools for carpentry, cabinetmaking, and mount fabrication, including constructing cases, pedestals, mounts, and display furniture using conservation-safe materials and methods.
- Ensures all work aligns with museum conservation standards, safety protocols, and industry best practices, including PPE use, equipment safety, and proper artwork handling procedures.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Associate degree
Number of Employees
251-500 employees
