Institute for Contemporary Art Senior Preparator

Virginia Commonwealth University•Richmond, VA

4d•$62,000 - $72,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Preparator oversees the planning, design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of exhibitions and commissions at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. The position manages exhibition production, including art handling, audiovisual systems, fabrication, logistics, and gallery operations. Working closely with curators, artists, registrars, and facilities staff, the Senior Preparator ensures exhibitions are executed safely, professionally, and in accordance with museum standards. The position supervises part-time preparators and the full-time Preparator. The role leads exhibition installation and commission projects from development through deinstallation; coordinates staff, contractors, schedules, budgets, vendors, and production documentation; and oversees exhibition design, fabrication, artwork handling, audiovisual systems, galleries, workshops, storage, and workplace safety.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Studio Art, Architecture, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in museum exhibition preparation, exhibition design, or art fabrication.
Demonstrated experience leading exhibition installations and supervising technical staff.
Strong woodworking, fabrication, and finish carpentry skills.
Experience with audiovisual systems and media-based artworks.
Knowledge of museum art handling standards and conservation best practices.
Proficiency with design and drafting software such as Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, or similar.
Strong organizational, budgeting, and project management skills.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and safely operate shop equipment, ladders, scaffolding, and lifts.
Ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or commitment to do so as a VCU staff member.

Nice To Haves

Experience working directly with contemporary artists and complex commissioned artworks.
Experience managing multiple exhibitions simultaneously.
Familiarity with museum registration practices and collection management systems.
OSHA safety training, forklift certification, or aerial lift certification.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, scheduling, and execution of exhibition installations, commissions, and gallery rotations.
Build and maintain working relationships with artists, curators, vendors, and institutional partners.
Coordinate daily preparator and contractor activities, assign schedules, oversee workflows, and provide technical guidance and training.
Hire, supervise, and manage art handlers, preparators, and fabricators.
Collaborate on exhibition concepts and technical plans, assessing feasibility, budgets, schedules, and installation requirements.
Develop production timelines and coordinate exhibition implementation from concept through deinstallation.
Prepare technical drawings, layouts, and installation plans.
Design accessible and safe exhibition layouts aligned with curatorial goals.
Oversee or fabricate exhibition furniture, display systems, mounts, pedestals, walls, and custom components.
Manage outside fabricators and contractors and maintain workshop equipment and safe fabrication practices.
Lead artwork handling, packing, transportation, installation, and deinstallation, ensuring proper care and preservation.
Support incoming and outgoing artwork logistics.
Plan, install, maintain, and troubleshoot audiovisual equipment and coordinate specialized media installations with artists and vendors.
Manage exhibition software, hardware, projectors, monitors, sound systems, and interactive technologies as needed.
Maintain gallery presentation and condition, workshop organization and equipment, and secure art and electronic equipment storage.
Monitor environmental and facility conditions affecting work areas.
Manage exhibition production budgets with the Director of Exhibitions and Program Alignment; source materials and equipment, track expenditures, maintain documentation, and coordinate rentals and vendor contracts.
Ensure compliance with museum standards and workplace safety regulations; maintain safe operation of tools and specialized equipment and implement safe installation procedures.