Temporary Exhibition Painter

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston•Houston, TX

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Museum is seeking a skilled Temporary Exhibition Painter for a six-month assignment to play a key role in creating the visual environments that support exhibitions and visitor experiences. This hands-on position is responsible for preparing, painting, finishing, and maintaining exhibition casework, gallery walls, architectural elements, and museum fixtures to the highest standards of quality and presentation. Working both independently and collaboratively, the Exhibition Painter will operate professional spray-painting equipment, perform surface preparation and repairs, mix and match colors, and apply a variety of coatings that enhance and protect exhibition spaces. This role also supports gallery installations by assisting with material handling, maintaining painting equipment, tracking paint specifications, and ensuring all work is completed safely and efficiently. Ideal candidates will bring several years of commercial or residential painting experience, strong attention to detail, excellent craftsmanship, and the ability to work comfortably on ladders, lifts, and scaffolding. Experience with spray-finishing techniques is essential, while carpentry skills are a valuable addition. This is an excellent opportunity for a talented painter who takes pride in precision, enjoys creating beautiful environments, and wants to contribute to the presentation of exceptional exhibitions and collections.

Requirements

Ability to reach overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling and stooping, and to frequently move up and down a ladder.
Manuel dexterity required, and the ability to grasp, turn and manipulate objects of varying size and weight.
Must be able to move, lift, carry, push, pull and place objects weighing less than or equal to 75 pounds without assistance.
Ability to stand, sit or walk for an extended period of time.
Ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions and work with minimal supervision.
Ability to work at elevated heights, e.g., on scaffolds and/or lifts.
Ability to use hand and power tools.
Ability to withstand exposure to noise, heights and adverse weather and temperature conditions.
Ability to exercise judgment in accordance with established procedures.
Must be able to handle wall repair and painting in all gallery spaces.
Must have a valid Texas drivers license.
Three to five years of experience as a commercial or residential spray painter.
High school diploma OR an equivalent combination of experience and education from which comparable and demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Nice To Haves

Carpentry skills a plus

Responsibilities

Operate spray painting equipment to paint and apply other coatings to manufactured items such as display casework for exhibitions, trim work and other museum fixtures.
Applies coats of paint, varnish, stain, or lacquer to decorate and protect interior or exterior surfaces, using brushes and rollers.
Reads work order or receives instructions from supervisor regarding painting.
Smoothens surfaces, using sandpaper, brushes, or steel wool, and removes old paint from surfaces, using paint remover, scraper, wire brush, or blowtorch to prepare surfaces for painting.
Fills nail holes, cracks, and joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other filler, using caulking gun and putty knife.
Selects premixed paints, or mixes required portions of pigment, oil, and thinning and drying substances to prepare paint that matches specified colors.
Erects scaffolding or sets up ladders to perform tasks above ground.
Clean up and store paint and painting tools and equipment in appropriate areas and perform maintenance to all spray painting equipment.
Follow all company and safety and security policies and procedures; report maintenance problems, safety hazards, accidents or injuries; and complete safety training and certifications.
Makes recommendations on equipment and tool needs.
Assists with loading, unloading and separation of supplies.
Keeps accurate records of paint colors used in each gallery.
Perform other duties as assigned.