Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Lead Preparator/Facilities Liaison


The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis seeks a Lead Preparator / Facilities Liaison to join the team of this dynamic university art museum. Founded in 1881, the Kemper Art Museum is nationally accredited with an internationally renowned collection featuring modern and contemporary European and American art. Primary responsibilities of the position include overseeing all physical aspects of the handling, packing, storage, and care of works of art, both in the permanent collection and on loan, according to professional museum standards. The position oversees the installation of exhibitions, participates in the development of exhibition design, and supervises facilities and installation work crews. This position also serves as the liaison with Washington University’s Operations and Facilities Management Department to ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of the Museum’s environmental controls and physical facilities. Supervises the Preparator; Preparator & Facilities Assistant; and part-time and temporary student and contract employees. Reports to the Assistant Director for Collections & Exhibitions.


Responsibilities include:

Preparation


• Oversee the installation and deinstallation of exhibitions; coordinate the purchase, design, fabrication and installation of exhibition related casework, AV equipment, and exhibition signage; participate in the exhibition design process; work closely with the registration department to develop, adjust, and monitor installation designs and schedules; obtain bids and negotiate vendor contracts.
• With registration staff, ensure the safe storage, movement, and display of artwork; assist with establishing and implementing policies and procedures related to the care of artwork; assist with collection inventory and photography.
• Manage the Museum’s workshop, including maintain inventory of general facilities and exhibition supplies, furniture, and equipment; and research and purchase tools, equipment, and general hardware supplies.
• Participate in the development and monitoring of budgets for exhibitions, collections, and facilities projects.
• Courier artworks on loan domestically and internationally as needed.

Facilities


• As primary liaison with the University’s Operations and Facilities Management Department, ensure the proper functioning of physical facilities, including scheduling and overseeing maintenance and repairs; participate in facilities-related planning and development activities; maintain inspection and maintenance records; resolve issues related to HVAC controls, lighting, and associated equipment; and perform maintenance, light repairs, and construction projects as needed.
• Coordinate and supervise housekeeping services, including floor waxing, window cleaning, pest control, and general cleaning.
• Function as liaison with capital improvement representatives to ensure capital projects are properly vetted, budgeted, and planned.

Required qualifications:


  • BA or equivalent experience
  • Five years art handling, installation, and fabrication experience
  • Thorough knowledge of professional standards for art handling and museum practices related to the physical care of collections
  • Understanding of building structures and associated systems such as HVAC and security
  • Experience with the installation and functioning of audiovisual equipment
  • Experience with the production of exhibition furniture and casework and fine art framing and other preparation
  • Experience with the preparation and interpretation of technical drawings and/or instructions
  • Familiarity with art conservation practices
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite
  • Ability to coordinate with a variety of colleagues and collaborators, including outside vendors and service professionals
  • Ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks
  • Strong supervisory skills


Preferred qualifications:


  • Expertise in computer design software such as AutoCAD, Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator
  • Experience with exhibition or architectural design



Application instructions
For a complete posting, full requirements, and application, visit the Washington University employment website at http://jobs.wustl.edu, reference number 34785, or use the quicklink:

https://jobs.wustl.edu/


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, protected veteran, or disability status.

Institutional background
The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum is a part of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. It is charged with fostering the University’s educational mission through the exhibition, publication, development, and preservation of visual art. The Museum’s mission is to preserve and develop its art collection and continue its legacy of collecting significant art of the time; provide excellence in art historical scholarship, education, and exhibition; inspire social and intellectual inquiry into the connections between art and contemporary life; and engage audiences on campus, in the local community, across the nation, and worldwide. Founded in 1881, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum is a nationally accredited university art museum with an exceptional collection of 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century American and European art and a stimulating program of intellectually rigorous special exhibitions.

The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis is a unique collaboration in interdisciplinary architecture, art, and design education, linking professional programs in art and architecture with the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum in the context of an internationally recognized research university.

Washington University in St. Louis, a medium-sized, independent university, is dedicated to challenging its faculty and students alike to seek new knowledge and greater understanding of an ever-changing, multicultural world. The University is counted among the world’s leaders in teaching and research, and draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 120 nations. The University is highly regarded for its commitment to excellence in learning. Its programs, administration, facilities, resources, and activities combine to further its mission of teaching, research, and service to society.