Preparator (Part-time)

Description

Position Overview: The Preparator is responsible for the handling, according to highest museum standards, of art works entrusted to PAMM. This includes the care and safe keeping of museum collections and loans, shipping and receiving, packing and unpacking, installation, assembly, framing and unframing, stretching and unstretching, matting and mounting of art works of all types, as assigned by and under the supervision of the museum’s Chief Preparator and Exhibition Designer and/or any member of the Registration Department.

Required Degree: High School degree required, Bachelor’s Degree in Art, Art History, or a related field preferred or 4 years of commensurate experience.

Qualifications:

• ?Bachelor’s degree in art history, studio art or a culturally related field, or commensurate and extensive practical experience (a minimum of four years) in a museum setting.
• A minimum of two years of well-rounded experience as a Preparator in an art museum or gallery.
• Strong knowledge of art handling and collections care techniques.
• General knowledge of carpentry, construction (including studding, dry-wall and “finish” work), and plant management.
• Thorough knowledge of materials employed in art handling, carpentry and construction.
• Good organizational and problem solving abilities; good communication skills.
• Diplomatic skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• General knowledge of power tools and equipment; familiarity with audio visual equipment preferred.
• Experience overseeing projects and supervising staff preferred.
• General computer skills and familiarity with computers and electronic media a plus.

Teamwork Skills:

• Be an enthusiastic, helpful and positive member of the team
• Be professional, responsible and mature in conduct and behavior
• Be understanding of, encouraging to and friendly with all co-workers
• Be self-motivated and use time wisely
• Maintain open line of communications with each department on pertinent information

• Maintain effective communication by means of meetings and memorandums
• Adhere to all work rules, procedures and policies established by the company including, but not limited to those contained in the employee handbook.

Physical Demands:

• Walk, bend, lift (up to 100 pounds) including artwork, supplies, building materials, and electronic equipment.
• Finger dexterity to pick up paper and use computer keyboard.
• Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
• Ability to hear in normal tones including telephone and face-to-face conversation.

Essential Functions included, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for maintenance of PAMM’s buildings and grounds, which includes light maintenance and cleaning of the museums public spaces, ground and gardens to maintain the highest level of presentation to the public and the profession.
• Responsible for demolition, construction and painting of galleries and the museum’s facility.
• Administrative responsibilities include: the inventory and ordering of supplies and equipment; inventory as well as care and maintenance of tools, power equipment and audio visual equipment; inspection of deliveries of ordered merchandise and processing of invoices.

• Evening and weekend hours and necessitated by the schedules and deadlines of the preparation department as determined by the Chief Preparator.
• Responsible for installing works for PAMM’s exhibitions in collaboration with Curatorial and Registration staff, guest artists and other associated personnel to ensure the highest standards of presentation.
• Carries out demolition, construction and painting of galleries and the fabrication of gallery furniture (platforms, pedestals, vitrines, shelving, etc) as required by exhibition design; the installation gallery and house signage; and the illumination of galleries and public spaces, ground and gardens.
• Maintains inventories and the requisite stock of construction materials.
• Supervises temporary preparation staff assigned to assist with these duties.

• Assist with the care and safe-keeping of museum collections and loans, assists with collections care projects and maintains the museum’s art storage and box storage facilities, as assigned.
• Moves, handles and installs art works and loads and unloads art shipments; frames, mats, and stretches works; assists framers and conservators with the handling and treatment of works; maintains inventories and the requisite stock of packing materials; and carries out other tasks associated with the care and safe-keeping of art works under the supervision of the Chief Preparator.