Full-Time Museum Prep, Sacramento, CA

POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Preparator

DEPARTMENT: Curatorial

SUPERVISOR: Director of Exhibition Design

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time/Non-exempt

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

The Preparator engages audiences by creating and maintaining dynamic and educational exhibition designs and installations.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collaborate in a team environment to produce superior quality exhibitions.
• Interpret works of art through installation, exhibition design, and educational components.
• Assist in coordinating temporary installation staff and volunteers.
• Hang/install works of art.
• Design and fabricate exhibitions under supervision of the Director of Exhibition Design.
• Determine and implement the lighting of artwork.
• Maximize educational opportunities and visitor engagement.
• Assist in planning exhibition flow.
• Paint galleries and exhibition furniture.
• Build furniture, platforms, and mounts.
• Prepare signs and labels.
• Fabricate hanging and mounting systems for works of art.
• Frame paintings and works on paper.
• Cut and assemble matting for prints, drawings, and photographs.
• Perform maintenance duties to keep exhibits and displays clean and clearly labeled.
• Prepare artwork and historical artifacts for shipping; receive and unpack shipments of art objects and other exhibition related materials.
• Transport art in 26’ moving trucks; knowledge of proper strapping techniques required.
• Perform related duties as required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand and walk for long periods of time; use hands and arms to reach, handle, and feel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 lbs or more.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
· Successful completion of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in art, commercial art, museum studies, art museum education, or a closely related field.
· At least three years of professional interpretation and art installation experience working in an art museum or related institution.

• Ability to work with new/digital media, such as A/V setup and projection, digital editing, DVD authoring.
• Ability to multi-task and assume a variety of projects simultaneously.
• Ability to drive large trucks.
• Knowledge of art handling, packing, and art-storage techniques.
• Ability to safely use power tools and other necessary equipment.
• Ability to solve problems and find attractive and safe solutions to hanging and/or showcasing unusual works of art.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with staff members, volunteers, and subcontractors.
• Ability to perform physical work associated with preparation of exhibits.
• Valid California driver’s license.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge
• Rigging techniques for large and small objects.
• Complicated fabrication of wood, metal, or plastic.
• Familiarity with welding techniques; MIG, TIG.
• Knowledge of art history.
• An understanding of the goals and strategies of art museum education.
• Ability to develop and organize ideas of exhibition design and art presentation and communicate these ideas to the public.
• Strong design skills and knowledge of a range of aesthetic styles to assure historical appropriateness and compatibility between the exhibition design and the art presented.
• Matting and framing skills.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position has no direct reports.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensure that projects and supplies are within the annual fiscal budget


Matthew Isble
Exhibit Designer & ChiefPreparator

CROCKER ART MUSEUM
216 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
direct 916•808•1013
alternate 916•808•7862
crockerartmuseum.org

Exhibitions,classes, programs & more:
crockerartmuseum.org / @crockerart