Art Handling Technician: Africa & Ancient Mediterranean

Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an experienced Art Handler to join the Arts of Africa and AGRB departments. The role involves assisting with installation, deinstallation, packing, and movement of 3D objects, while ensuring best practices in handling and safety across galleries and storage spaces.

You will collaborate with curators, chairs, and collection managers, support mockups for rotations, and help maintain accurate object records and labels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience is preferred.
• At least one year of experience handling 3D objects or works of art is preferred.
• Familiarity with museum collection management software and basic digital mockup tools.

Responsibilities

• Plans and schedules departmental art movements and installations with Curators and Chairs.
• Submits and tracks work requests for art handling crews and facilities needs.
• Provides supervision to art handlers during installation, deinstallation, packing, and unpacking of objects.
• Coordinates safe movement of art objects between galleries, storage, imaging, and conservation spaces.
• Fabricates mounts, mannequins, and archival housing for long-term storage and display of 3D objects.
• Assists with gallery mockup proposals for rotations and special exhibitions.
• Performs preventive conservation tasks under supervision, including inspecting conditions and labeling.
• Monitors gallery environments and reports fluctuations and pest management activities.
• Updates object locations in the museum collection database within 24 hours of movement.
• Creates installation notes, measurement maps, and storage records.
• Installs and replaces object labels across galleries.
• Supports visiting scholars and researchers with safe viewing of collections in study rooms.
• Upholds gallery and storage security protocols and responds to emergencies.
• Participates in ongoing art-handling and safety training and process improvements.

Skills

3D objects handling

Art handling

Installation

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience

Tools

Museum collection management software

Digital mockup tools

Job description

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an experienced Art Handler to join the Arts of Africa and AGRB departments. The role involves assisting with installation, deinstallation, packing, and movement of 3D objects, while ensuring best practices in handling and safety across galleries and storage spaces.

You will collaborate with curators, chairs, and collection managers, support mockups for rotations, and help maintain accurate object records and labels.