Title: Museum Preparator
Department: Registration (Curatorial)
Reports to: Registrar

Scope:

The museum preparator is in charge of handling art at the Gardner Museum. Reporting to Registrar, and working closely with conservators and curators, the preparator will provide the highest standard of care for the collection and works on loan.

Responsibilities:

Collection care:

Employ highest standard of art handling, packing, storage, and installation for works of art in the collection and on exhibition. Supervise the art handling activities of outside contractors. Move and prepare collection objects as required for study, conservation, exhibition, storage, and other needs. Schedule object movement with registrar, curators, and conservators.

Responsible for upgrading the installation of the collection by creating high quality support materials and mounts, and using materials and fabrication techniques appropriate for contact with works of art. Responsible for the construction of mounts, supports, and other materials necessary for the maintenance of the collection and the installation of exhibitions.

Assist in the treatment and structural repair of upholstered works and maintenance of the frames and furniture in the collection as requested by conservators.

Exhibitions:

Work with the registrar, curators, and conservators to ensure that works of art are packed, unpacked, and handled to the highest museum standards.

Collaborate with registrar, curators, conservators, consultants, lenders, artists, outside vendors, and facilities manager to organize and implement exhibition production and installations for special exhibitions.

Responsible for the mechanics of installation in consultation with registrar, conservators, and curators to ensure highest museum standards and adherence to loan conditions. Work with couriers from lending museums for the handling of loaned objects. Ensure ability to meet installation requirements for loan in consultation with registrar, curators, and conservators.

Install and maintain special exhibition gallery space including lighting, cleaning plexi or cases, sweeping floor, touching up walls, or other special care tailored to each installation as required.

In consultation with conservators and curators, assist with the design and fabrication of mounts, cases, and materials for a broad range of objects and installations. Communicate with designers and outside vendors for production and delivery of exhibition materials (cases, mounts, signage, labels, etc).

Install audio video equipment, projection, computer, and/or new media digital installations for exhibition in consultation with artists, curators, and outside consultants or vendors as necessary.

General collection support:

Support and assist registrar with the physical management of art storage areas both on-site and off-site including management of fine arts transfer to and from off-site storage areas, determining layout for new storage systems, making recommended updates to storage furniture, etc. Some travel to off-site storage facilities required.

Create and maintain a schedule and keep accurate records of time spent on projects. Work closely with the registrar and conservators to set priorities for collection projects within the set schedule. Meet deadlines within reasonable limits and manage personal timelines and goals for various collection projects.

Create and maintain an inventory of suppliers and on-site supply of packing and exhibition-related materials, devices, etc. Consult with conservators to order special materials. Some off-site travel and transport to and from suppliers and vendors may be required.

Qualifications

Professional experience
•5-10 years experience as a preparator at a museum.
• Ability to understand and practice appropriate methods of handling and installing works of historic and contemporary art, such as paintings, sculpture, architectural elements, objects, textiles, furniture, works on paper, mixed media, digital media, and installation and performance artwork.
• Knowledge of appropriate materials and conditions for handling and exhibiting works of art.
• Proficient with the use and maintenance of tools used for art packing, preparation, handling and installation.

Collaborative qualifications
• Willingness to learn and implement new methods and standards within the field as they are developed.
• Ability to work well with others, take direction and make decisions independently.
• Ability to communicate well with museum staff and colleagues. Must exhibit patience, flexibility and a collegial relationship in working with living artists for contemporary art installations. Must be willing to take some direction from artists during the installation process while keeping within standard museum procedures for handling and installation.
• Ability to meet deadlines within a given schedule. Strong organizational skills - must be able to handle multiple projects at once.
• Represent the museum positively with outside consultants and guests.

Desirable additional experience
• Basic carpentry skills preferred.
• Experience with matting, hinging, and housing of works on paper; or of archival practices preferred.

Additional qualifications
• Must be willing and able to work outside regular museum hours occasionally to respond to deadlines for special projects, or collection emergencies.
• Basic facility with computer including Microsoft Office Suite and internet.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations both suggested by the manufacturer and required by OSHA.
• Must be able to lift and carry 80 lbs.
• Must be comfortable working at a height of 13'
• Must have a valid US driver's license
• Must maintain confidentiality on specific collection information.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority candidacy.

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