Job

Chief Preparator

Worcester Art Museum

55 Salisbury st
MA 01609

Deadline

Jun 01, 2022

Posted

Feb 24, 2022

Job Title: Chief Preparator

Employment Type: Full Time, Exempt

Department: Exhibition Design & Fabrication

Division: Museum Services

Reports to: Director of Museum Services

Salary: Up to 65,000

Purpose: As department head for the Exhibition Services Department, the Chief Preparator is responsible for planning and managing the preparation of gallery spaces and objects for exhibitions and for planning and managing the fabrication, installation, and de-installation of both temporary exhibitions and long-term installations. The Chief Preparator supervises the Museum’s preparators, as well as contract art handlers, on all aspects of museum exhibition, art storage, and art movement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Recommend department objectives and priorities and develop a strategy to achieve them consistent with the Museum’s vision statement, strategic plan, and divisional goals.
Manage all functions of the Exhibition Services Department, its activities and personnel, including fellows, interns, and volunteers; coordinate department activities with other departments and divisions of the Museum.
Collaborate with the Museum’s Exhibition Designer in the planning of the preparation of gallery spaces for exhibition and in planning the fabrication, installation, and de-installation of both temporary exhibitions and long-term installations.
Plan, prioritize and schedule daily activities of preparators in the areas of exhibition installations/de-installations, graphics installation, gallery and exhibition lighting, exhibition maintenance and art movements within the museum. Set team’s job assignments to meet deadlines and priorities; oversee external vendors and contractors.
Prepare and present department budget for approval; monitor department and project budgets within approved limits. Assist in the development of exhibition and special project budgets.
Supervise installation of works of art and oversee production and installation of exhibition graphics, signage, and labels.
Design and fabricate, or oversee the design and fabrication of, display and storage mounts for objects using brass armatures, plexiglass, pliacre forms and stabilizers, foam cor, matboard, ethafoam, wood, steel, aluminum, conduit and piping.
Working with the Registrars, coordinate exhibition installation/de-installation schedules as well as internal and external art movements.
Contribute to the development of exhibition schedules and budgets. Serve as a member of project teams for exhibition development and implementation.
Remain current with approaches and developments in materials and techniques used in preparation and display of the museum collections.
Working with the Conservation and Registration Departments, establish and maintain best practices for handling, lighting, crating, and shipping of all collection media
Order materials for art packing and exhibition installation.
Recommend improvements to museum art storage.
Assist preparators with gallery maintenance, including dusting of platforms, pedestals, and vitrines, and assist with museum-wide lighting maintenance as needed.
Serve as a courier for outgoing loans. Travel with objects on domestic and international shipments as required; act as Museum representative as necessary
Represent the museum to various public constituencies in the region
Represent department at various meetings and on internal committees
Represent Director of Museum Services in his/her absence regarding exhibition design, preparations, and art handling
Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications:

Proven management skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively within a team, comprising museum staff, contractors, vendors and couriers
Experience managing complex projects: ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, working to strict deadlines
Ability to prepare and manage department and project budgets
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Knowledge of art storage and display methods, techniques, and procedures
Good manual dexterity for fine detail work and handling fragile objects
In-depth knowledge of art handling techniques and methods of transporting works of art
Experience in exhibition design, mount-making, crate fabrication, preparation and installation techniques
Ability to lift up to 70 lbs.
Ability to safely work with installation equipment including ladders, scissor lift and scaffolding
Ability to work at heights over 10 feet
Massachusetts Class III motor vehicle operator’s license
Travel required for this position
Embraces and promotes diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives

Education and Experience:

BA, BFA required or equivalent work experience; MA, MFA preferred, or equivalent training in studio art, art history, fine art or a related field.

Five or more years in a museum, gallery, or similar exhibiting institution with extensive knowledge of installation/packing/crating, and proven experience in a management or supervisory role.