Art Preparator (Part Time)

Evolving Solution Services; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 27,552 - 38,572; Part time

Job summary

The Art Preparator (Part Time) position at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, CT, supports the collections team by ensuring safe handling, installation, and documentation of the permanent collection and loans. Working closely with the Chief Preparator and Registrar, you will help prepare for movements, exhibitions, and storage.

This non-exempt hourly role runs Monday–Wednesday, 8 am–4 pm, and requires a Bachelor’s degree and two years’ art-handling experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in studio art, art history, furniture/product design, architecture or engineering.
• Minimum two years of art handling/preparatory work experience in a fine art museum.
• Thorough knowledge of museum practices and collections management standards.
• Experience with installation, handling and packing of diverse artworks.
• Certification or experience with standard equipment used in art fabrication, movement, and installation.

Responsibilities

• Consistently applies high professional standards for handling, installation, housing, packing, and movement of art in the Museum.
• Completes daily work schedule and meets goals and deadlines.
• Installs gallery lighting equipment and maintains lighting inventory.
• Prepares and installs casework, platforms, pedestals, labels and exhibit materials.
• Operates tools and devices used to install or move artworks.
• Records all art movements and changes of locations in physical and digital formats.
• Conducts inventories of storages and galleries.
• Assists with purchasing materials, ensuring proper authorization and expense tracking.
• Collaborates with teams and departments on housing/storage needs for artworks.
• Maintains organized workspace and storage areas.
• Performs duties related to the functions described and supports other departments.

Skills

Organization

Communication

Attention to detail

Project planning

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in studio art, art history, furniture/product design, architecture or engineering

Minimum two years of art handling/preparatory work experience in a fine art museum

Tools

Power tools

Forklift

Pallet jack

Scissor lift

Lighting equipment

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Art Preparator (Part Time)

Hartford, CT, US

The Art Preparator position, working in close association with the Chief Preparator, the Chief Registrar, and other members of the Preparator team, provides direct support to the implementation of the Collections Management Policy as it relates to the care, installation, and documentation of the Wadsworth’s collection and exhibition programs. This position is directly responsible for ensuring the physical safety, best handling and installation practices of the permanent collection as well as borrowed objects while on view, in preparation for movement, and while in storage.

In general, this position contributes to the carrying out of the Wadsworth’s short‑ and long‑term exhibition schedule, regular gallery rotations, incoming and outgoing loans, collection storage projects and other assignments as needed.

SCHEDULE

This is a non‑exempt, hourly position, Monday – Wednesday , 8 am – 4 pm.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Member of the Preparator Team:

• Consistently applies the highest professional working standards for the handling, installation, housing, packing, and movement of all art in the Museum.
• Completes the daily work schedule, meeting associated goals and deadlines.
• Installs gallery lighting equipment. Maintains inventory of lighting fixtures and lamps, screening options and light level measuring devices.
• Prepares and installs casework, platforms, pedestals, labels and other exhibit specific support materials.
• Operates various mechanical devices used to install, or move works of art.
• Accurately records all art movements “changes of locations” both in physical and digital form.
• Conducts inventories of storages and galleries.
• Follows the parameters & procedures for purchasing materials and supplies, ensuring proper authorization & expense tracking are upheld.
• Works closely with the team, and with other departments, in the conceptualization, design and fabrication of housing/storage needs for all artworks.
• Maintains an organized and functional preparatory workspace, as well as all museum storage areas.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.
• Provides support to other departments in areas related to the functions described above.
• Screens cargo shipments in compliance with TSA’s CCSP.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training/Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in studio art, art history, furniture/product design, architecture or engineering.
• Minimum two years of art handling/preparatory work experience in a fine art museum.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge & experience of concepts, principles and practices of current museum practices and collections management standards.
• Thorough understanding of best practices for object installation, handling & packing of an encyclopedic collection [paintings, works on paper, costumes, textiles, photography, sculpture, furniture & decorative arts].
• Experience in various aspects and of museum lighting.
• Experience with the design and fabrication of storage containers.
• Experience/certification in the use of standard equipment used in the fabrication, movement, and installation of art (i.e: power tools, forklift, pallet jack, scissor lift).
• Carpentry skills required.
• Excellent organization, communication and listening skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to plan out multi‑step projects with a projected timeline and budget.
• Ability to work within deadlines, both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Basic PC skills with Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word and Excel.