Lead Preparator, Kemper Museum, Kansas City, MO

Lead Preparator
Department: Preparatory
Classification: Full Time, Exempt
Reports to: Chief Registrar and Exhibitions Manager
Supervises: Prep staff, art handlers, outside contractors, and interns
Date: May 2022
Starting salary: $43,000-48,000 DOE


Position Summary

Reporting to the chief registrar and exhibitions manager, and working closely with the director of curatorial affairs and assistant curator, the lead preparator is a key team member of the exhibition team; comprised of curatorial, registration and preparatory. The museum maintains an ambitious schedule of both special and rotating permanent collection exhibitions. The lead preparator performs a wide variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the preparation, design, installation and lighting of museum exhibitions: both those organized by the museum, co-organized by the museum, or traveling to the museum consisting of loaned artworks; and those consisting of artworks from the museum’s Permanent Collection. The lead preparator is responsible for museum-quality art handling related to installation and de-installation of exhibitions both inside and on the grounds of the museum. Will oversee the maintenance of exhibition spaces, office, loading dock, and onsite and offsite storage areas. The Lead Preparator will supervise departmental staff, hourly rotation staff, outside contractors, and interns. She/he will assure a safe and healthy work environment through knowledge of best practice.


Major Duties and Responsibilities

Exhibition Design, Installation, Maintenance, De-installation

• Plans and manages the installation/de-installation of exhibitions, rotations, and individual works of art, draft and coordinates schedules and details with the exhibition team
• Develops drawings and/or scale models using computer programs and other design tools to effectively communicate design ideas
• Oversees and participates in production of exhibition signage, including vinyl text, graphics, and object labels
• Oversees and participates in construction, painting, fabrication of display fixtures, mounts, and crates as needed
• Responsible for packing, unpacking, and crating of artworks
• Lighting design and implementation
• Oversee and participate in wall construction and painting; the creation of display fixtures and mounts
• Supervises outside contractors in the progress and implementation of specific projects, including oversight of quality and accuracy of work and monitoring schedules
• Coordinates and works with staff to handle, crate, pack and transport artwork to and from the Museum’s three locations using the Museum truck
• Works directly and collegially with artists and partner institutions on a range of installations and a wide of media, including traditional and time-based media art, to resolve installation concerns on time and on budget
• Schedules and oversees handling of art for annual inventory
• Plans for and supervise maintenance of outdoor sculpture collection
• Oversees and maintains appearance of exhibition spaces, including dusting, cleaning frames, painting, and light replacement
• Completes all additional assigned tasks and requests for general support as needed.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current museum industry best practices relating to collections care and installation
• Makes effective decisions impacting projects
• Attends and participates in project meetings
• Provides written and photographic installation instructions for Permanent Collection object files and traveling exhibition documentation for tour partners and venues
• Completes additional assigned tasks and requests as needed
• Is flexible in context of changing schedules and designs
• Communicates effectively in a culturally and ethnically diverse community

Collection Care

• Assists the chief registrar and exhibitions manager in the care of the Permanent Collection both on display and in storage
• Responsible for the maintenance of Permanent Collection, which includes regular inspection of objects and light cleaning if necessary.
• Prepares objects for loan and exhibition
• Assists the chief registrar and exhibitions manager in annual inventory
• Plan and supervise maintenance of outdoor Permanent Collection sculpture.
• Responsible for the transport of objects: including packing and unpacking; scheduling appropriate transportation; and monitoring objects
• Oversees truck maintenance

Fabrication

• Operate tools and equipment associated with wood working, electrical, light construction, and audio-visual, and computer displays in conjunction with the most current safety, technological, and aesthetic standards
• Provides timely estimates and schedules for construction of displays, cases, or pedestals as required
• Maintains tools and equipment required for the maintenance of the collection, its storage, and display of individual works of art
• Ensures adherence to safe workplace practices and procedures in the operations of the prep department

Department Administration/Management

• Effectively develops and administers the departmental budget, and assists in the development of annual exhibition special project budgets
• Prepares cost and material estimates for new installation and gallery construction
• Oversees personnel, including hiring, training, scheduling, directing, disciplining, and providing annual performance reviews of Prep department staff
• Plans, prioritizes, and schedules work of the prep department; assesses resource needs and determines adjustments as required
• Organizes department’s short-term/long-term projects and sets job assignments to meet institutional deadlines and priorities
• Works across departments on opportunities for institutional advancement in areas of exhibition design, budgeting, and cost-saving strategies; provides well thought-out opinions based on research and knowledge of trends within the museum communit7

For more information, including Key Competencies and Job Specifications, please visit the complete description here.

Cover letter and Resumes can be emailed to employment@kemperart.org or you may mail hard copies to:


Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Diane Lambert
Human Resources Manager
4420 Warwick Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111