Assistant Preparator PT

farnsworthartmuseum; Rockland (ME); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine is seeking an Assistant Preparator to assist with installation, artwork handling, and preventive conservation for exhibitions and the permanent collection. The role requires hands-on work in a fast-paced museum environment and collaboration with Curatorial, Registration, and Facilities teams.

The ideal candidate brings experience in art handling, installation, basic carpentry, and safe tool use, with strong organizational and communication skills and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Art, Art History, Museum Studies or related field preferred.
• 2–3 years museum experience in exhibition prep, art handling or related area preferred.
• Experience handling works using museum standards and best practices.
• Familiarity with basic woodworking, painting, framing, and lighting.

Responsibilities

• Assist with safe handling, installation, deinstallation, movement and transportation of artworks.
• Help prepare galleries for exhibitions; install hardware, labels, and graphics.
• Assist with gallery lighting and exhibition support materials.
• Support fabrication of pedestals, vitrines, mounts, and other display elements.
• Assist with IPM, environmental monitoring, and preventive conservation tasks.
• Maintain organized workshop and inventory of supplies and tools.
• Coordinate deliveries, shipments, and vendor services as needed.

Skills

Art handling

Exhibition installation

Carpentry basics

Painting

Matting & framing

Gallery lighting

Tool operation

Communication

Independence & teamwork

Physical stamina

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Art, Art History, Museum Studies or related field

Tools

SketchUp

Job description

Assistant Preparator

Part-time: up to 28 hours/week

The Assistant Preparator at the Farnsworth Art Museum supports the installation of exhibitions, care of the permanent collection, and maintenance of the museum's historic houses. Reporting directly to the Preparator, the Assistant Preparator works closely with the Curatorial and Registration departments to assist with exhibition installations, artwork handling, collection care, and gallery maintenance. This position plays an important hands‑on role in ensuring the safe movement, installation, packing, and storage of artworks while helping maintain museum facilities and exhibition spaces according to museum and American Alliance of Museums (AAM) best practices. The position is on‑site and works collaboratively with Curatorial, Registration, Facilities, Security, Operations, and the Wyeth Study Center staff to support the successful execution of exhibitions, gallery rotations, and collection projects.

The ideal candidate has experience in art handling, exhibition installation, basic carpentry, painting, matting and framing, gallery lighting, and safe operation of hand and power tools. Success in this role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, flexibility, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced museum environment.

Responsibilities:

Art Handling and Installation

• Assist with the safe handling, installation, deinstallation, movement, and transportation of artworks, including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and time-based media.
• Assist in preparing galleries for exhibitions, including painting, patching walls, installing hardware, exhibition graphics, labels, and vinyl.
• Install and adjust gallery lighting under the supervision of the Preparator.
• Assist with fabrication and installation of pedestals, mounts, vitrines, platforms, casework, and other exhibition support materials.
• Assist with audiovisual equipment installation and maintenance for exhibitions.
• Support the Preparator with all phases of exhibition installation and deinstallation.
• Help fabricate exhibition furniture and custom display solutions as directed.

Preventive Conservation and Collections Care

• Follow established object handling procedures to ensure the safe care of the permanent collection and incoming/outgoing loans.
• Assist with environmental monitoring in galleries, storage areas, and historic houses, including temperature, humidity, and light monitoring.
• Support Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by monitoring traps and reporting activity.
• Assist with emergency response and collection recovery efforts when needed.
• Participate in routine gallery inspections and preventive conservation activities.

Collection and Departmental Support

• Assist Registrars and the Preparator with collection inventories and storage organization projects.
• Support seasonal maintenance and object rotations within the museum's historic houses.
• Assist with gallery rotations and collection moves as needed.

Maintenance and Department Support

• Maintain an organized workshop and preparation areas.
• Organize and inventory tools, hardware, framing supplies, exhibition materials, and equipment.
• Assist with packing crate maintenance and storage furniture organization.
• Research and help procure exhibition materials and supplies under the supervision of the Preparator.
• Maintain museum equipment and report repair needs.

Administrative

• Maintain accurate inventory of exhibition supplies, equipment, and casework
• Assist with coordinating deliveries, shipments, and vendor services.
• Ensure smooth coordination by responding promptly and professionally to both internal and external communications
• Assist the Preparator in supervising contract art handlers during installations when needed.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Art, Art History, Museum Studies or a related field preferred.
• 2-3 years of museum, gallery, exhibition preparation, art handling, or related experience preferred.
• Experience handling works of art using museum standards and best practices.
• Familiarity with basic woodworking, construction, painting, matting and framing, and gallery lighting.
• Experience operating hand and power tools safely.
• Familiarity with SketchUp or willingness to learn.
• Basic understanding of museum environmental monitoring and preventive conservation practices preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while taking direction and collaborating as part of a team.
• Ability to lift up to 70 pounds, work on ladders and personnel lifts, stand for extended periods, and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Valid driver's license required.
• OSHA 10 certification preferred or willingness to obtain after hire.

About the Farnsworth

Founded as a bequest of Lucy Copeland Farnsworth, the Museum opened its doors in 1948 in Rockland, Maine, with a singular mission to celebrate Maine’s role in American art. The Farnsworth's primary purpose is to be a repository for American art objects related to Maine and a resource for all, including local and state residents, as well as tourists visiting from throughout the United States and abroad.

Throughout the Museum’s history, it has championed the unique role that Maine plays in the larger story of American art. The Farnsworth's collection of almost 16,000 works focuses on American art from the 18th century to the present, in all media, with a special emphasis on artists with deep connections to Maine. From purchasing works by a young Andrew Wyeth-becoming the first museum to do so to collecting pieces by pivotal Maine artists such as Fitz Henry Lane, George Bellows, Rockwell Kent, Lynne Drexler, Lois Dodd, Daniel Minter, Ann Craven, and Jeremy Frey, the Museum has and will continue to represent the excellence of the arts in Maine. We are also broadening and diversifying collections to more fully reflect the breadth of Maine artists working today and the interests of our growing and multicultural audience.

The Museum also cares for two historic properties: the Farnsworth Homestead, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and the Olson House, joining the campus in 1991 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2011.

The Farnsworth is the first art museum in Maine to receive accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, which recognizes institutions that have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, accountability, and the highest professional standards in education, public service, and collections care.