Description:
The Associate Preparator, will ensure the professional, safe and timely preparation, care and handling of works of art (multiple forms) for display, exhibition, storage and transport, with a focus on our current collection. Will primarily assist Senior Preparator, Collections with all art warehouse operations.
Responsibilities:
- Handles, installs, packs, and unpacks artwork at all museum buildings locations
- Installs/deinstalls artwork for temporary exhibitions and rotations
- Transports artwork in the museum truck between campus buildings
- Gallery maintenance of art pedestals, vitrines, and casework
- Maintains organization of artwork in museum storage areas
- Maintains organization and cleanliness of art preparation areas, tools, and equipment
- Records accurate location changes using the museums TMS database when artwork is moved within museum buildings, galleries, and storage areas
- Assists with photography set-up and conservation as needed
- Represents MFAH at other institutions as a courier for installation, transport or exhibition research
- Assists at Rienzi and Bayou Bend house museums as needed
- Organizes installations as assigned
- Assists conservation with outdoor sculpture maintenance
- Loads/unloads art crates from trucks as assigned
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- Advanced experience and knowledge of art handling, packing and installation practices
- Advanced knowledge and proper use of archival materials used for packing and storage
- Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly so that installations function smoothly and uninterrupted.
- Capacity to work on both individual, unsupervised projects and as a member of a crew in which teamwork is essential.
- Solid experience using hand and power tools
- Experience driving box truck – valid driver’s license required
- Experience using woodworking equipment for fabricating travel containers and crates
- Must be able to lift (with a partner) 75 lbs or more and able to perform a variety of physical tasks involving lifting, bending, stooping and moving large items (including furniture)
- Working knowledge of and experience with various packing methods suitable to a wide range of media combined with a working knowledge of and experience with installation methods suitable to that same wide range of media
- Ability to work professionally and responsibly with all other areas within the museum
- High degree of time and resource management skills with the ability to work under time and deadline requirements and prioritize to meet those expectations.
- Weekend and evening availability as required by exhibition schedules
Education and Experience:
- 5+ years’ art handling experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principals and practices of art museum collection care, and exhibition and display, design and construction.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field OR any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.