Preparator II

Vancouver Art Gallery; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 32,000 - 46,000; Part time

Job summary

The Vancouver Art Gallery is seeking two skilled Preparators to join our Museum Services team. This hands-on role supports exhibitions, collection care, and loans through art handling, fabrication, carpentry, and technical support.

Under supervision, the Preparator II contributes to successful exhibition delivery with practical skills, sound judgment and a commitment to safe handling and presentation of artworks.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 plus trades courses or related degree/diploma.
• 2–3 years of museum/gallery preparation experience.
• Knowledge of best practices in art handling, packing, transport and installation.

Responsibilities

• Assist with exhibition changeovers: prefabrication, setup and breakdown.
• Assist with art handling including installation and packing per best practices.
• Maintain and clean exhibition spaces; ensure safety.
• Pack/unpack artworks for loans, acquisitions and tours.
• Aid care and movement of the permanent collection on/off site.
• Support fabrication of display casework and furniture to spec.

Skills

Art handling

Installation

Carpentry

Woodshop

Measuring

Safety-conscious

Teamwork

Communication

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Grade 12 + trades courses

Fine Arts degree/diploma

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Woodworking equipment

Job description

The Vancouver Art Gallery is seeking two skilled and detail-oriented Preparators to join our Museum Services team. This position plays an important role in preparing, installing and deinstalling exhibitions, handling and caring for artworks, and supporting the Gallery’s collection, loans and acquisitions activities.

Working under the supervision of Lead Preparators and Registrars, the Preparator II contributes to the successful delivery of exhibitions through a combination of art handling, fabrication, carpentry, and technical support. This is an opportunity for someone with practical skills, sound judgment and an appreciation for the care and presentation of works of art to contribute to the Gallery’s exhibition program.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

This position is a varied, hands-on role supporting the Gallery’s exhibitions and collection-related activities. The successful candidate will bring a strong commitment to workmanship, safe art handling, teamwork and the timely completion of tasks.

• Assist in all production aspects of exhibition changeovers, including prefabrication of exhibition elements, technical setup and breakdown
• Assist with all art handling, including installation and packing, while implementing best practices
• Perform routing maintenance and cleaning of exhibition spaces

Packing and Crating

• Assist with packing and unpacking of artworks for incoming/outgoing loans, acquisitions and tours
• Assist with incoming/outgoing shipments of artworks as needed

Collections Care and Art Handling

• Aid with the care, movement, and storage of the permanent collection on and off site
• Assist with collection storage and housing
• Assist with photography set-up and conservation as needed

Fabrication and construction

• Aid with fabrication of display casework, furniture and/or artwork to artist’s specifications for exhibitions

Tools and workshop maintenance

• Maintain organization and cleanliness of art preparation area tools and equipment as directed
• Take inventory of materials and advise staff on ordering as needed
• Conduct safety checks of tools and equipment
• Identify repair or replacement needs

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE

Education and Experience

You have completed grade 12, supplemented by relevant trades courses, or a degree or diploma in Fine Arts, Visual Arts or a related field. In addition, you have two to three years of museum or gallery preparation experience and considerable knowledge of best practices in art handling, packing, transportation and installation.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of various packing methods for a wide range of media, combined with a working knowledge of and experience with installation methods
• General fabrication and construction skills, including carpentry and woodshop skills; ability to use hand and power tools and small mechanical equipment
• Strong measuring and mathematical skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with accuracy and care with a safety-conscious approach to work
• Effective verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently, collaboratively with a partner, or as part of a larger team; ability to maintain professional and respectful working relationships with colleagues
• Knowledge and commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion
• The physical ability to stand for extended periods and perform tasks involving lifting, bending, stooping and moving large or heavy objects, including the ability to lift 50 pounds or more; Ability to climb ladders and scaffolding.

COMPENSATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Salary: Pay Grade 19, Starting Rate $28.45 per hour

Schedule: On-call casual; Workdays are Monday to Friday

This is a unionized position under the jurisdiction of CUPE Local 15 – VMECW.This is an in-person position at the Gallery’s downtown Vancouver location.

Our Values

The Vancouver Art Gallery commits to five core values that guide all that we do:

• We are respectful of the unceded Indigenous territory upon which we are situated
• We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment
• We believe that curiosity is a pathway to innovation
• We establish clear goals and expectations to cultivate a culture of accountability
• We foster successful collaboration through thoughtful communication and active listening

The Vancouver Art Gallery is situated on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ(Tsleil- Waututh) Nations. We offer a welcoming, team-based office culture and we are committed to providing equitable access to everyone.We actively support accessibility, anti-racism, LGBTQ2S+ inclusion, and encourage diversity in our staff, volunteers, visitors, and programming. We cultivate a safer space where all voices are heard, valued and represented.

More About the Vancouver Art Gallery

Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is recognized as one of North America’s most innovative visual arts institutions. The Gallery’s celebrated exhibitions, extensive public programs and emphasis on advancing scholarship all focus on historical and contemporary art from British Columbia and around the world. Special attention is given to the accomplishments of Indigenous artists, as well as to those of the Asia Pacific region—through the Centre for Global Asias (formerly the Institute of Asian Art) founded in 2014. The Gallery’s exhibitions also explore the impact of images in the larger sphere of visual culture, design and architecture.

The Gallery’s new Richardson Family Art of Wellbeing Lab furthers its commitment to community by promoting the role of art in fostering health and wellbeing. Developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers and Indigenous Elders, the lab creates opportunities for individuals to engage with art in ways that support mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is a charitable not-for-profit organization supported by its members, individual donors, corporate funders, foundations, the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.