isabellastewartgmOC
07-21-2025, 01:18 PM
Position Summary
The Senior Preparator is a lead team-member that supports the dynamic, award-winning exhibition program at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum by participating in the planning and execution of six shows per year. The incumbent is an integral part of the exhibition planning team and is a thought-partner for the planning, feasibility assessment, and implementation of exhibition design, installations, and deinstallations. The position is primarily dedicated to Exhibitions, but is also responsible for supporting selected permanent collection needs including conservation work, collection photography, scholarly research, and gallery refurbishments in the historic galleries in collaboration with the Conservation and Collections teams. In this regard, the Senior Preparator will function as a lead advisor and strategic planner with colleagues on these teams in order to support collection risk management and safe object movement in addition to performing object moves. The Senior Preparator oversees the daily work of freelance art handlers and contractors with direction from the Head Registrar. Additionally, the Senior Preparator supports the Head Registrar with oversight and preparation of art shipments, general loans and exhibitions needs, and is responsible for maintaining the cache of packing materials and supplies, art move equipment, and art receiving and storage areas.
Primary Responsibilities
Exhibitions and Loans:
Maintains the highest standard of care and best practices for collection and loaned works with regard to object handling, documentation, storage, display and art packing for shipment. Continually engages in acquiring knowledge of updated standards and methodologies for the same, and works to share and implement these at ISGM.
With direction from the Head Registrar, manages all art handling activities related to the installation and deinstallation of Museum special, traveling, and permanent exhibitions including assistance with art shipments; packing and unpacking materials; object handling; and installation/deinstallation of objects for display.
Independently manages a varied portfolio of assigned exhibitions and special projects at various stages of development in support of ISGM's Exhibition and Loan program and overall strategic goals.
Works closely with the Preparator in a collegial and mentorship role to support and develop overall skills related to art handling, mount-making, carpentry and related duties of the team. Delegates daily team duties to Preparator in consultation with Exhibition Team.
Primary manager for selected vendor relationships and contractors/consultants for exhibition needs, and makes orders (fabrication, mounts, supplies, materials) as required.
Oversees organization, maintenance and cleanliness of back-of-house storage spaces in the museum including materials and supplies.
Oversees contract art handlers and freelancers, setting and making recommendations for workflow and priorities within overall assigned projects with direction from Exhibitions team and Head Registrar.
Works professionally with couriers from lending institutions for the handling and display of loaned works for exhibition, under the direction of the Head Registrar.
May travel as ISGM courier to accompany works for loan as required.
Other duties as assigned by Head Registrar in support of Exhibition and Loan work.
Requirements:
A Bachelor's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Studio Art, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum of 15 years' experience in art handling, packing, and exhibition development, installation, and deinstallation in a museum environment.
A working, broad knowledge of museum best practices and standards for collection handling and care, installation and deinstallation of artwork, art packing, and preventive conservation, including specialized knowledge in the safe use of tools and equipment used for art movement, installation, shipping, and packing.
Experienced with a broad range of object types, both historic and contemporary such as paintings, sculpture, architectural elements, objects, textiles, furniture, works on paper, mixed media, digital artwork, a/v equipment, projection, new media and contemporary art installation of site-specific and performance artwork.
Minimum of 8 years' experience in finish carpentry. Highly proficient with standard workshop tools and possesses an excellent level of carpentry skills for fabrication of exhibition display elements, art move equipment, packing materials or crates, and special project builds as needed. Experience with matting, framing of 2-D works is also helpful. Experienced with the best practices for painting and prepping of museum display mounts/pedestals necessary.
Experience with mount-making, matting, framing, and re-housing of 2- and 3-dimensional collection objects using a variety of materials.
Proficiency with and the safe use of art moving and lift equipment, including but not limited to staging, dollies, a-frames, painting carts, furniture lifts/dollies, rigging equipment, j-bars, pallet jacks, forklifts and scissor lifts.
Must be able to problem-solve and develop safe solutions for complex art moves, display, or packing issues, and to an array of operational or other challenges.
Ability to lift, bend, reach and stand for extended periods of time. Comfortable stooping, pushing, and pulling while working.
Must be able to reach and work above shoulders, climb up and down and work on ladders, scaffolding, and/or a scissor lift up to a height up to 36 feet.
Must be able to lift heavy objects up to 80 pounds comfortably.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Museum is committed to affording equal opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age (40 or older), disability, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, ancestry, or status as a veteran. Consistent with our core values and our founder's legacy, the Museum is dedicated to building a work community that fosters collaboration, excellence, belonging, and a diversity of perspectives and experience.
Request an Accommodation
Applicants with disabilities who are unable to fully access ISGM's online application system may contact us at hr@isgm.org for assistance with a reasonable accommodation.
Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/qNqlVjf4p6jdqfMBDTGrbo
PI275904725
The Senior Preparator is a lead team-member that supports the dynamic, award-winning exhibition program at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum by participating in the planning and execution of six shows per year. The incumbent is an integral part of the exhibition planning team and is a thought-partner for the planning, feasibility assessment, and implementation of exhibition design, installations, and deinstallations. The position is primarily dedicated to Exhibitions, but is also responsible for supporting selected permanent collection needs including conservation work, collection photography, scholarly research, and gallery refurbishments in the historic galleries in collaboration with the Conservation and Collections teams. In this regard, the Senior Preparator will function as a lead advisor and strategic planner with colleagues on these teams in order to support collection risk management and safe object movement in addition to performing object moves. The Senior Preparator oversees the daily work of freelance art handlers and contractors with direction from the Head Registrar. Additionally, the Senior Preparator supports the Head Registrar with oversight and preparation of art shipments, general loans and exhibitions needs, and is responsible for maintaining the cache of packing materials and supplies, art move equipment, and art receiving and storage areas.
Primary Responsibilities
Exhibitions and Loans:
Maintains the highest standard of care and best practices for collection and loaned works with regard to object handling, documentation, storage, display and art packing for shipment. Continually engages in acquiring knowledge of updated standards and methodologies for the same, and works to share and implement these at ISGM.
With direction from the Head Registrar, manages all art handling activities related to the installation and deinstallation of Museum special, traveling, and permanent exhibitions including assistance with art shipments; packing and unpacking materials; object handling; and installation/deinstallation of objects for display.
Independently manages a varied portfolio of assigned exhibitions and special projects at various stages of development in support of ISGM's Exhibition and Loan program and overall strategic goals.
Works closely with the Preparator in a collegial and mentorship role to support and develop overall skills related to art handling, mount-making, carpentry and related duties of the team. Delegates daily team duties to Preparator in consultation with Exhibition Team.
Primary manager for selected vendor relationships and contractors/consultants for exhibition needs, and makes orders (fabrication, mounts, supplies, materials) as required.
Oversees organization, maintenance and cleanliness of back-of-house storage spaces in the museum including materials and supplies.
Oversees contract art handlers and freelancers, setting and making recommendations for workflow and priorities within overall assigned projects with direction from Exhibitions team and Head Registrar.
Works professionally with couriers from lending institutions for the handling and display of loaned works for exhibition, under the direction of the Head Registrar.
May travel as ISGM courier to accompany works for loan as required.
Other duties as assigned by Head Registrar in support of Exhibition and Loan work.
Requirements:
A Bachelor's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Studio Art, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum of 15 years' experience in art handling, packing, and exhibition development, installation, and deinstallation in a museum environment.
A working, broad knowledge of museum best practices and standards for collection handling and care, installation and deinstallation of artwork, art packing, and preventive conservation, including specialized knowledge in the safe use of tools and equipment used for art movement, installation, shipping, and packing.
Experienced with a broad range of object types, both historic and contemporary such as paintings, sculpture, architectural elements, objects, textiles, furniture, works on paper, mixed media, digital artwork, a/v equipment, projection, new media and contemporary art installation of site-specific and performance artwork.
Minimum of 8 years' experience in finish carpentry. Highly proficient with standard workshop tools and possesses an excellent level of carpentry skills for fabrication of exhibition display elements, art move equipment, packing materials or crates, and special project builds as needed. Experience with matting, framing of 2-D works is also helpful. Experienced with the best practices for painting and prepping of museum display mounts/pedestals necessary.
Experience with mount-making, matting, framing, and re-housing of 2- and 3-dimensional collection objects using a variety of materials.
Proficiency with and the safe use of art moving and lift equipment, including but not limited to staging, dollies, a-frames, painting carts, furniture lifts/dollies, rigging equipment, j-bars, pallet jacks, forklifts and scissor lifts.
Must be able to problem-solve and develop safe solutions for complex art moves, display, or packing issues, and to an array of operational or other challenges.
Ability to lift, bend, reach and stand for extended periods of time. Comfortable stooping, pushing, and pulling while working.
Must be able to reach and work above shoulders, climb up and down and work on ladders, scaffolding, and/or a scissor lift up to a height up to 36 feet.
Must be able to lift heavy objects up to 80 pounds comfortably.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Museum is committed to affording equal opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age (40 or older), disability, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, ancestry, or status as a veteran. Consistent with our core values and our founder's legacy, the Museum is dedicated to building a work community that fosters collaboration, excellence, belonging, and a diversity of perspectives and experience.
Request an Accommodation
Applicants with disabilities who are unable to fully access ISGM's online application system may contact us at hr@isgm.org for assistance with a reasonable accommodation.
Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/qNqlVjf4p6jdqfMBDTGrbo
PI275904725