Assistant Preparator
Denver Art Museum
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Denver Art Museum seeks an Assistant Preparator to support gallery preparation, packing, framing, and installation tasks for artworks and exhibitions.
You will assist in movement, storage, and coordination with Lenders and contractors, with safety as a priority. The role requires familiarity with art handling, crate construction, and on-site fabrication. This position is full-time and non-exempt, reporting to the Senior Preparator.
Qualifications
- Excellent team and project management skills and ability to work collaboratively.
- Excellent time management skills and ability to complete tasks according to scheduled deadlines.
- Ability to deal with multiple projects simultaneously.
- Good reasoning and problem-solving ability.
- Maintains a thorough knowledge of art museum installation, preparation, and collection management standards and techniques for a variety of media and types of artwork.
- Knowledge of accepted art handling procedures for small, large, and fragile objects.
- Accurate computational skills needed to reach exact/precise measurements involved in crating/packing, installations, rotations, and exhibitions assignments.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of museum exhibit and display design.
- Knowledge and experience with carpentry and safe woodworking practices.
- Knowledge of tools, specialized equipment, and safety practices.
- Degree in art, art history, studio arts museum studies, or another related field preferred.
- A minimum of 3 years prior art preparation experience in a museum, gallery or arts center environment with contemporary and diverse world culture collections required.
- Successful experience managing outside contractors.
- Carpentry skills are preferred.
Responsibilities
- Assist with gallery preparation activities, including art handling, staging, preparation, demolition, drywall and build-out, painting, cabinetry, wiring and electrical work, lighting, installing graphics, crating/packing, and framing.
- Assist with the unpacking and repacking of all incoming and outgoing artwork, document related crate and packing materials and methods, and undertake the safe movement of artwork within the museum between storage locations, conservation labs, photography studios, galleries, and to and from off-site storage locations.
- Assist with all aspects of rotation activities in museum galleries and work closely with other relevant staff to ensure a seamless and efficient implementation process.
- Assist with fabricating, modifying, and maintaining exhibition cabinetry and pedestals as needed. Must be able to interpret production drawings and specifications of exhibition components.
- Assist with managing the inventory of exhibition furniture and cabinetry throughout Museum campus and oversee related packing, and transportation of inventory to and from storage locations.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
- Job Location: Denver Art Museum - Denver, CO 80204
- Salary Range: $21.00 - $26.25 Hourly
- Assistant Preparator, Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Assist in all aspects of preparation and construction work related to museum collections and loans. Participate in packing, unpacking, and related documentation and inventory of all incoming and outgoing artwork; design and construction of crates, travel frames, and specialized mounts for artwork; and art pickups and deliveries with museum vehicles. Assist in movement, storage, staging, installation, and deinstallation of artwork in galleries and storage areas.
This position reports to the: Senior Preparator.
Position type: This position will be covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME-CWU.
The hiring pay range for the position is $21.00- $26.25/hour based on experience.
- A comprehensive medical/dental/vision plan, that can be extended to domestic partner, spouse, and children.
- DAM 100% paid Life Insurance, and Short/Long Term Disability.
- Generous sick and vacation paid time off and two personal days.
- Ten paid holidays.
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with immediate eligibility to contribute and those who meet the requirements after one year will qualify for the 3% non-elective contribution and 2% match program.
- Free Telehealth and Employee Assistance Program.
- Two weeks Paid Parental Leave.
- Free DAM Membership and perks.
- This position is based at the Denver Art Museum, which only has a pay-to-park option. Discounted parking is available. Free RTD Eco Pass.
- Assist with gallery preparation activities, including, but not limited to, art handling, staging, preparation, demolition, drywall and build-out, painting, cabinetry, wiring and electrical work, lighting, installing graphics, crating/packing, and framing.
- Assist with the unpacking and repacking of all incoming and outgoing artwork, document related crate and packing materials and methods, and undertake the safe movement of artwork within the museum between storage locations, conservation labs, photography studios, galleries, and to and from off-site storage locations.
- Assist with all aspects of rotation activities in museum galleries and work closely with other relevant staff to ensure a seamless and efficient implementation process.
- Assist with fabricating, modifying, and maintaining exhibition cabinetry and pedestals as needed. Must be able to interpret production drawings and specifications of exhibition components.
- Assist with managing the inventory of exhibition furniture and cabinetry throughout Museum campus and oversee related packing, and transportation of inventory to and from storage locations.
- Implement design, construction, and finishing of crates, packing boxes, travel frames, storage mounts, and related storage furniture for museum artwork.
- Participate in pick-up and delivery of all artwork with museum vehicles from local lenders and off-site storage locations.
- Assist with the coordination and oversight of outside exhibition contractors working on art installations, build-out, painting, lighting, demolition and other preparation activities to ensure contractor work is within specification. Assist with managing and escorting contractors while they are on DAM premises and coordinates their access and necessary paperwork with Protective and Facilities Services.
- Assist with wall installation, gallery patching and painting, gallery maintenance and other activities as needed.
- Assist in securing estimates, ordering, and arranging delivery or pickup, and processing invoices for related production supplies and materials.
- Assist with maintaining inventory, packing, storage, movement and maintenance of Museum’s stock of mounts, exhibition furniture, cabinetry, and related props as needed.
- Frame, unframe, and install hanging hardware and backings on artwork.
- Maintain cleanliness of the museum’s packing areas, wood shop and related work areas.
- Assist in the move of collection storage areas and related art and furniture, undertake archival rehousing of artwork for long-term storage, and maintain inventory lists and related database updates.
- Engage in timely and accurate data entry related to documentation of art object condition reports, dimensions, locations, and installation, packing and handling instructions and restrictions pertaining to artworks in the collection or on loan.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Consistent usage of the Racial Equity Lens in day-to-day operations.
- Excellent team and project management skills and ability to work collaboratively.
- Excellent time management skills and ability to complete tasks according to scheduled deadlines.
- Ability to deal with multiple projects simultaneously.
- Good reasoning and problem-solving ability.
- Maintains a thorough knowledge of art museum installation, preparation, and collection management standards and techniques for a variety of media and types of artwork.
- Knowledge of accepted art handling procedures for small, large, and fragile objects.
- Accurate computational skills needed to reach exact/precise measurements involved in crating/packing, installations, rotations, and exhibitions assignments.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of museum exhibit and display design.
- Knowledge and experience with carpentry and safe woodworking practices.
- Knowledge of tools, specialized equipment, and safety practices.
- Degree in art, art history, studio arts museum studies, or another related field preferred.
- A minimum of 3 years prior art preparation experience in a museum, gallery or arts center environment with contemporary and diverse world culture collections required.
- Successful experience managing outside contractors.
- Carpentry skills are preferred.
- Computer and ARGUS database.
- Hand and power tools.
- Lift equipment (forklift, rugger, stacker, scissor lift, etc.).
- Trucks and Vans.
- Museum, off-site storage locations, local galleries, private residences.
- Woodshop equipment.
- Subject to many interruptions.
- Standing, walking, sitting and climbing.
- Working with hands, working with fingers, talking, hearing, vision.
- Eye/hand/foot coordination.
- Lifting, pushing or pulling more than 50 pounds.
Application Close Date: August 17h, 2026
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to phone calls or emails regarding application status. Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted directly.
Interview process will include a phone interview and an in-person interview at the DAM.
NOTE: The DAM prioritizes adaptability and a human-centered work environment. We are happy to consider accommodations. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
At the Denver Art Museum, we are deeply committed to standing against discrimination, violence, and hate in all forms against any individual or group. And we remain focused on fostering inclusion, equal opportunity, and belonging inside and out.
The museum serves as a platform for creative expression and community well-being by collecting and presenting work by artists from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, including those communities that have been historically underrepresented in museums. We give space to a wide range of artist voices by sharing the work of and collaborating with artists and creatives from all races, backgrounds, and identities.
We believe that art and creativity have the power to promote mutual understanding and highlight our shared humanity—connecting, inspiring, and empowering people and communities. The museum’s board of trustees, volunteers, and staff remain committed to being an anti-racist organization and making the Denver Art Museum an inclusive and diverse place where everyone always feels welcome.
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