Art Handler for Exhibitions and Operations

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid holidays

Sick and disability program

Deferred compensation with cash match

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond seeks an experienced Art Handler for Exhibitions and Operations to plan, install, and rotate exhibitions, while coordinating packing, transport, and procurement of artworks.

The role requires extensive knowledge of installation methods, project management skills, and the ability to read exhibition layouts. This position emphasizes flexibility, teamwork, and adapting to changing priorities in a fast-paced museum setting.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of installation methods and conservation-appropriate handling, packing, storage practices for art objects.
• Project management experience; proficiency with Asana or similar tools.
• Experience with lifts and fabrication tools; material handling equipment.

Responsibilities

• Plan and install exhibitions, handle gallery rotations, and manage packing/transport of artwork.
• Procurement responsibilities and coordination during installations.
• Read and interpret exhibition designers’ layouts and scale plans.
• Maintain organization of art storage areas and ensure proper handling.

Skills

Art installation methods

Project management (Asana)

Fabrication tools

Reading exhibition layouts

Art storage maintenance

Flexibility & prioritization

Tools

Collections Management Systems (TMS)

Microsoft 365

Procurement systems (VA)

Job description

Title: Art Handler for Exhibitions and Operations

State Role Title:Media Specialist II

Hiring Range: $44,000 - $46,500

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Location:MAIN MUSEUM

Agency Website:https://www.vmfa.museum/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

About Virginia Museum of Fine Arts:

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA’s growing encyclopedic collection houses more than 50,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of world history.

Our holdings include the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, French Impressionism, Postimpressionism, British sporting art, and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art.

Recently named the 11th-best art museum in the United States by The Washington Post, VMFA is the only US art museum open 365 days a year with free general admission.

VMFA is a state-supported, privately endowed educational institution created for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all.

About the Department:

The Collections Management department plays a vital role in the preservation and presentation of all objects and paintings in the care, custody, and control of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Members of the department are responsible for safe handling of the art, its storage, data management, and provenance research.

General Information:

The Collections Management department of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts invites applications from individuals skilled in art handling, project management, and fabrication for the role of Art Handler for Exhibitions and Operations.

This position plays a critical role in the planning and installation of special exhibitions, gallery rotations, packing and transport of artwork, and procurement. To be successful in this role you need to embrace flexibility with a positive demeanor and utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills while navigating shifting priorities. We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast environment with changing priorities and works really well on a team; is able to pivot quickly between projects to meet urgent business needs; is comfortable navigating ambiguity and initiating structure when needed; demonstrates the ability to embrace changes and adapt to new methods quickly; can proactively identify potential roadblocks and help to develop creative, robust solutions; exercises sound judgement to resolve issues with limited information; is comfortable navigating gray areas; and with high-level direction.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Considerable knowledge of art installation methods, design and engineering techniques, and of conservation-appropriate handling, packing, and storage practices related to the exhibition, transportation, and preservation of art objects.
• Significant project management experience and proficiency in the use of Asana or similar project management software.
• Experience with lifts and significant skill in the operation of hand and power fabrication tools as well as other material handling equipment.
• Comfortable reading exhibition designers’ layouts.
• Ability and knowledge to participate in proper maintenance and organization of art storage areas.
• Good judgment, flexibility, and willingness to adapt to shifting priorities and deadlines.

Additional Considerations:

• Documented success as a professional Art Handler in a museum or gallery environment.
• Proficiency in the use of Collections Management Systems (preferably TMS) and Microsoft 365.
• Experience with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s procurement system.
• Consistent with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s skills-based employment model, VMFA recognizes multiple pathways to demonstrate competency for this role. Equivalent combinations of educational attainment, applicable training, relevant work experience, and job-related credentials may be considered to meet the requirements of the position.

Benefits:

The Commonwealth of Virginia offers a comprehensive total compensation package that includes health benefits, paid leave, and flexible work schedules. The following benefits are available to classified employees:
• Vacation and Other Leave
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health Benefits
• Sickness and Disability Program
• Deferred Compensation with Cash Match
• Group, Optional Life, and Long-term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Retirement Plans
• State Employee Resources

Additional information relating to the benefits available to eligible state employees can be found online at:https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits

Special Instructions:

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

All applicants must submit an online application. This position will close at 11:55 pm on the designated closing date listed at the top of this posting on Jobs.Virginia.gov.

Please provide three professional references, including their full name, phone number, and email address. References should be able to speak to your qualifications for the position and may be included in your resume or cover letter or attached separately in the portal’s "other" field.

VMFA is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Contact Information

Name: HR Services

Phone: For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via phone.

Email: [e-mail] for recruitment related questions.

Emailed applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be accepted. For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account.

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.