Art Preparator

Birmingham Museum of Art Title:

Preparator Reports to: Lead Preparator /

Museum Registrar Status:

Full time Background The Birmingham Museum of Art seeks a Preparator to join a staff composed of one other preparator, an Assistant Lead Preparator, and a Lead Preparator. We are seeking a colleague who places great value on collegiality and collaboration, who is proactive, and who enjoys a fast-paced and varied work day. The Preparator is responsible for tasks related to permanent collection and exhibition preparation, including installation and de-installation, packing and unpacking, and crating and uncrating works of art. They perform all duties using accepted museum standards and practices, such as matting and framing, building exhibition display components, painting, moving museum display furniture and art objects, and installing art in all media. The Preparator works with the Conservator and individual curators to design and fabricate custom mounts for display or storage. They also assist with the organization of storage, as well as basic gallery care and cleaning.

Essential Functions:

Prepare objects for exhibition, including matting and framing, and the construction of display mounts Prepare casework for display; may include carpentry, painting, and fabric wrapping Operate tools associated with woodworking, mount making, electrical, light construction, and audio-visual displays, and understand operating etiquette and best practices Produce in-house object labels Maintain lighting in exhibition spaces, including changing lamps and transformers as needed, ensuring that lamps adhere to proper footcandles, and maintaining inventory of lighting supplies Perform weekly visual inspection and maintenance of exhibition spaces and storage areas, dust and lightly clean collection objects as needed according to standard museum best practices Monitor gallery and storage environment via electronic data loggers and report irregularities Maintain permanent art storage by assigning and tracking locations of artwork in the TMS database, and preparing archival housings as needed for long-term preservation Install and maintain outdoor sculpture in conjunction with the Chief Registrar and Conservator Maintain the organization and cleanliness of all work areas, including the Preparation work areas, art storage, longhouse, woodshop, pedestal/crate storage, and off-site storage Transport art locally and regionally by museum truck as well as non-art and collection items to offsite storage Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current museum practices, including as they relate to proper art handling procedures, collections care, and object installation, as well as safe workplace practices for using paint, solvents, and power tools. Manage assigned projects by creating a plan and executing it to completion with little oversight

Secondary Functions:

Work with registrars on packing and unpacking art, storage vault projects, and collection surveys, as needed Periodically attend related professional conferences and/or workshops on and off-site to keep aware of advancements in the field Attend institutional meetings Assist in the periodic and annual inventory of the collections, as needed Work directly with artists on site-specific installations, as needed Assist in preparing the physical review of objects under consideration for acquisition Maintain inventory of tools, equipment, and supplies for exhibit preparation and collections maintenance, and submit requests for supplies and materials, as needed Assist the Registration department in the care of the permanent collection, both on display and in storage Assist with packing, unpacking, installing, and deinstalling artwork at off-site residential, business, and institutional locations, as needed Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

The Preparator should have at least one year of experience in a museum preparation department or a related field, such as an art gallery setting. A college degree is not required, but is preferred. Experience in metal working, woodworking, lighting, mountmaking, matting and framing, or painting is a plus. Valid driver license is required Ability to lift 50 lbs About the Museum Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art is deeply invested in education and engagement and serves as a resource for communities locally, nationally, and internationally. It houses one of the finest collections in the Southeast of the United States. More than 27,000 objects displayed and housed within the Museum represent a rich panorama of cultures, including those from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa, including work by both Pre-Columbian and Native North American artists. Highlights include the Museum's collection of the arts of Asia, Vietnamese ceramics, the Kress collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the late 13th century to the 1750s, and the Museum's world-renowned collection of Wedgwood, the largest outside of England. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes an excellent benefits package. To apply Please apply via email with a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and names, addresses, and phone numbers of three references to: Human Resources Birmingham Museum of Art recruiting@artsbma.org

Pay:

$42,000.00 - $44,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance On-the-job training Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person