Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

The Chief Preparator assists the Chief Registrar and Director of Exhibitions and Collection Management by providing direct support to the implementation of the Collection Management Policy as it relates to the direct care, installation, and documentation the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art’s collection and exhibition programs. This position is directly responsible for ensuring the physical safety, best handling and installation practices of the permanent collection as well as borrowed objects while on view, in preparation for movement, and while in storage. This position contributes in the planning of the Wadsworth Atheneum’s short and long term exhibition and gallery rotations and schedules. The Chief Preparator is an integral stakeholder in the overall care of the collection, providing recommendations and strategies to Registrars, Curators, Conservators, Exhibition Designer, Installation Production Manager, and Collection Manager.

The Chief Preparator oversees the art preparators and is responsible for ensuring best practices for art handling & installation; safety measures are upheld; work assignments are clearly communicated; and schedules are implemented. This position is responsible for leading the team by example, providing supervision and training, designation of individual or collaborative assignments, and meeting assigned deadlines. The Chief Preparator is ultimately responsible for ensuring the highest level of standards in process and final presentation.

This is a non-exempt, fully benefited hourly position, working regular weekday hours, an occasional evening or weekend, and on call for emergencies 24 hours a week, 7 days per week.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recommend department objectives and priorities and develop a strategy to achieve them consistent with the Musem’s vision statement, strategic plan, and divisional goals.
• Consistently apply the highest professional working standards for the handling, installation, housing, packing, and movement of all art in the Museum.
  1. Analyze the physical requirements and the inherent risks associated with the handling, transportation, or display or art objects.
  2. Prepares, both in physical and digital form, documentation and imaging of complex installation/handling processes.
  3. Is responsible for accuracy of all change of locations and documentation in both physical and digital form.
  4. Installs gallery lighting. Maintains inventory of lighting fixtures and lamps, screening options and light level measuring devices.
  5. Assists with Audio visual installation needs related to installations. Maintain inventory of A/V equipment and installation hardware.
  6. Operates various mechanical devices used to install, or move works of art
  7. Provides training and guidance regarding best practices for the handling, movement, mount-making & needs, packing, housing, unframing (if needed) and installing artworks.
  8. Ensures compliance and thorough understanding of all safety protocols and maintains required documentation. Coordinates or provides training and/or certification for use of equipment electric forklift, pallet jacks and scissor lifts (MEWPS).
• Implements & coordinates with other departments all aspects related to the Art Moves Requests procedures, ensuring all protocols are met. Strategizes and plans out the needs for upcoming exhibits or storage projects with other departments as needed
  1. Provides workflow scheduling to the team on a daily/weekly/monthly basis, regarding the exhibits, art move requests or projects at hand, and the designation of duties
  2. Collaborates with the Director of Exhibitions, Museum’s Exhibition Designer, Exhibition Manager and Installation Production Manager in the planning of the preparation of gallery spaces for exhibition and in planning fabrication (casework, mount needs, platforms, pedestals, labels and other exhibit specific support materials), installation, and de-installation.

• Prepare and present department budget for approval, monitor department and project budgets within approved limits. Assist in the development of exhibition and special project budgets. Approves, monitors, records and tracks all department purchases.
• Contributes to and implements Emergency Disaster Preparedness protocol. Is a “first responder” to art installation and storage emergencies.
• Assists in conducting inventories of storages and galleries, when necessary.
• Screens cargo shipments in compliance with TSA’s CCSP.

• Supervises full-time and part-time Art Preparators.
  1. Maintains an organized and functional preparatory workspace, tools & equipment, and museum storage areas. Designs, builds, and fabricates as is needed.
  2. Promotes a positive environment by fostering creative and professional growth.
     • Addresses employee/team issues or concerns and works towards positive outcomes and respectful work environment.
     • Identifies & participates in opportunities for professional development to learn new skills, maintain current professional standards of art and object handling, storage, maintenance, and support of a variety of artwork.
     • Oversees timecard submissions and requests.
     • Conducts annual employee performance evaluations
  3. Arranges for contract workers as needed
     • Evaluation & onboarding process.

• Performs any other duties & provides support to other departments reasonably related to the functions described above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Training/Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in studio art, art history, furniture/product design, architecture or engineering
• Minimum ten years of art handling/preparatory work experience in a fine art museum
• Established managerial experience within a fine art museum art handling department or comparable department

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge & experience of concepts, principles and practices of current museum practices and collections management standards
• Thorough understanding of best practices for object installation, handling & packing of an encyclopedic collection [paintings, works on paper, costumes, textiles, photography, sculpture, furniture & decorative arts]
• Experience with making, creating, fabricating, handling, installing, and lighting artworks.
• Experience/certification in the use of standard equipment used in the fabrication, movement, and installation of art (i.e: power tools, forklift, pallet jack, scissor lift)
• Able to work with machinery that creates noise and vibration and work in environments with exposure to noise and vibration.
• Project management experience
• Ability to plan out multi step projects with a projected timeline and budget
• Proficiency in rough and finish carpentry and use of shop tools and equipment.
• Mount making skills required
• Organization, communication and listening skills required
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work within deadlines, both independently and in a collaborative team environment
• Basic PC skills with Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word and Excel), collection database systems, and project management systems.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Climate controlled art museum with display galleries, standard offices, café, library/archives, theater, museum shop, and other non-public spaces. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in lobbies, museum galleries, public spaces and non-public offices, loading dock, preparatory work spaces and storage areas. Compliance with Museum health and safety-related protocols. Work schedules are subject to 24 hour emergencies, after hours shipments and special activities. The work schedule includes varying hours, limited overtime, night or weekend hours. A flexible schedule is critical.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to work on their feet and/or remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• Frequently moves about inside the galleries, loading dock/zones, storage & preparatory spaces, including ascending/descending a short flight of stairs
• Operates tools and equipment.
• Operates a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Frequently communicates with staff and others and must be able to exchange accurate information.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions to the extent the Wadsworth may do so without undue hardship. The term “Qualified individual with a disability” means an individual who with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential functions and responsibilities of work performed by the employee in this job position. It may not contain a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required for this role.

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Outdoor, Flexible hours, Night shift, Afternoon shift, Weekday work,

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