Preparator and Collections Assistant--Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA

About Tacoma Art Museum
Tacoma Art Museum is a public-spirited institution with nationally recognized exhibitions and innovative educational programs. Named by USA Today as one of the “Top 10 Great Places to See Art in Smaller Cities,” the museum has developed a reputation for presenting art in a thought-provoking yet accessible manner with a strong commitment to Northwest art through its acquisition and exhibition programs. Founded in 1935, the museum has strong roots in the community and anchors Tacoma's lively downtown university and museum district.

This is a transformative time at the museum with growth in the facilities, collections, and visibility. A $15.5 million building project is underway, adding approximately 16,000 square feet to house the new Haub Family Collection of Western American Art, set to open in late fall 2014. This collection will establish Tacoma Art Museum as the only major museum of Western American art of this caliber in the Northwest. It also enables the museum to fully explore the art history of the West while integrating its Western and Northwest collections. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Tacoma Art Museum family!


Job Description

The Preparator and Collection Assistant is a member of the curatorial department and will provide critical support for preparations for exhibition installations and for stewardship of data in the collections management system. Provides assistance for all aspects of Preparator and Registrar work, including object documentation and inventory projects, exhibition planning and preparation, gallery maintenance, and daily office management. Collaborates and works closely with the museum’s Collections and Exhibition Assistant. Assists the Registrar, Preparator, and Curators, works with student employees and volunteers, and interfaces with various departments within the museum to achieve department and institutional goals.


Preparator Assistance Responsibilities and Tasks

• Collaborates with curators, artists, other museum departments, and staff from other institutions, in planning for the design, construction, and installation of temporary and permanent exhibits; participates in exhibition planning teams
• Assists Preparator with installation and deinstallation of exhibitions including considerations for visual continuity, aesthetic quality, and art object security
• Works closely with the museum Registrar and Preparator with regard to art movement, art handling, and mount-making during exhibition preparation, installation and deinstallation
  
  • Transports art to and from lenders
  • Art deliveries and pickups as needed
  
  
• Assists in the design and construction of exhibition furniture and fixtures (including microclimate-controlled cases) built to conservation standards or oversees the construction of these objects
• Assists in the creation of mounts for objects on exhibition
• Assists in maintaining the exhibition and museum lighting to museum standards including the monitoring and maintenance of appropriate foot-candle and UV levels
• Mounts labels as needed

Collection Management Responsibilities and Tasks

• Assists Registrar with collection management, data entry, with regard to the permanent collection and new acquisitions and database The Museum System (TMS), and maintenance of collection files and archives
• Assists the Curator of Collections with Museum maintenance and updates
• Works closely with Registrar and Curators in preparation for Collection Committee Meetings
• Object receiving and initial cataloguing
• Data entry of object information
• Assist in art movement for the Collection Committee Meetings
• Assists Registrar as needed in coordinating with donors and artists concerning acquisitions. Tasks may include:
  
  • Preparing correspondence and documentation of ownership
  • Updating constituent records in the collection database
  • Preparing and updating Object History and Donor Files
  • Obtaining object information from artists, galleries, and donors as works enter the collection
  
  
• As needed, conducts collection-related research, including researching artist biographies, for proposed acquisitions, permanent collection objects, exhibitions, and grant projects utilizing library, object history files, exhibition archives and collection database
• Assists the registrar with collection inventories

General Curatorial Department Responsibilities and Tasks

• Assists with museum’s reporting for major grants as needed
• Assists with fund raising/development reports and evaluations as needed
• Assists with development and maintenance of collections management policies and procedures as needed
• Supports Preparator with budget management by obtaining cost estimates, creating cost analyses, prepares requisitions and invoices, and tracks revenues and expenses
• Works with students, interns and volunteers to assist with collection and registration projects and duties
• Participates in regular department and staff meetings, exhibition planning meetings, and event planning meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in studio art or art history
• Two years museum preparator or similar experience
• Basic competency with Office Suite and collections management software.
• Experience with graphic design software preferred.

Compensation
Full-time position (40 hours per week)
Hourly pay range: based on experience


To apply, please submit the following:

• Cover letter with name, addresses, and telephone numbers of the applicant
• A full resume of education and employment history
• Up to seven images of work history including exhibition installations, details of woodworking projects, preparations for art shipping or storage, or others. Images should be compiled in a single PDF document with identifying information.

No phone inquiries, please.
Closing date: Open until filled.
Please send application materials to:
HR@TacomaArtMuseum.org

or

Human Resources
Tacoma Art Museum
1701 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402