Chief Preparator

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 47,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Smart Museum of Art seeks a Chief Preparator to lead the installation, packing, and handling of artworks for exhibitions and collections. The role involves coordinating with curators, artists, and facility teams to plan and execute projects, while upholding best practices in art handling and safety.

The position is full-time, on-site, with benefits, and requires extensive experience in art handling, installation design, and collaboration across departments to ensure

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a related museum role.
• Vocational training, apprenticeship or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Certification to operate forklifts, personnel lifts and other motorized equipment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the design, construction, installation and de-installation of museum exhibits and displays.
• Collaborate with curators, artists and staff to plan, fabricate, mount artworks and customize installations.
• Define work orders and execute project plans; manage crews and external contractors to meet deadlines and budgets.
• Manage technical elements of builds and AV arrangements including procurement and deployment of gear.
• Maintain climate control systems and storage facilities and ensure safety standards.

Skills

Multimedia and AV installation

Adobe CS

Sketchup

Rigging experience

Matting and framing

Education

College degree in related field

Tools

Forklift certification

Personnel lifts

Job description

Department AI Exhibitions and Registration

About the Department As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Through strong scholarly and community collaborations and a welcoming approach to its exhibitions, collections, publications, research and teaching, and public programs, the Smart Museum plays a dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities — locally, nationally, and internationally.

Job Summary

The position of Chief Preparator works under the supervision of the Manager of Registration and Exhibitions to assist in the organization, management, implementation, and maintenance of exhibitions and collections at the Smart Museum of Art. Responsibilities include overall project management and collaboration with curators, artists, Smart staff, and other partners to plan and execute exhibitions and collections projects. The Chief Preparator oversees the safe and careful handling, packing, and installation of art, while upholding professional best practices. Given the diverse scope of the Smart’s collection and exhibition program, encompassing conventional and non-conventional art forms, the Chief Preparator will work closely with Smart staff, outside contractors, and University facilities in the planning, construction, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of exhibitions and other related projects. This is a full-time, on-site, benefits eligible position.

Responsibilities

• Uses advanced and specialized expertise to oversee the design, construction, installation and de-installation of museum exhibits and displays.
• Works directly with artists and curators to strategize, fabricate, and mount artworks, and customize installations and supplementary materials.
• Collaborates with Manager of Registration and Exhibitions to define work orders and execute project plans; oversees daily preparatory personnel, crew, and external contractors to satisfy institutional deadlines, budgets, and priorities.
• Manages technical elements of builds and audio/visual arrangements encompassing planning, fabrication, procurement of supplies/gear/programs, deployment, and direction of third-party suppliers.
• Manages all gallery, study room, and collections storage lighting systems, fixtures and hardware in collaboration with staff and University facilities.
• Prepares works of art on paper for display including matting and framing.
• Displays creativity in solving technical problems and flexibility in adapting to unusual circumstances.
• Collaborates with the Manager of Registration and Exhibitions in the recruitment, training, scheduling, guidance, and delivering constructive feedback to install crew.
• Collaborates with Manager of Registration and Exhibitions to determine budgetary needs of projects.
• Works with Registrar staff on receipt, packing, art-handling, and crating of all relevant artwork.
• In collaboration with Manager of Registration and Exhibitions, coordinates exhibition operations and needs with University facilities, Deputy Director, Guest Services, and other museum staff and calendars.
• Maintains production facility, art storage locations both on- and off-site, A/V inventory, and other back of house spaces.
• Handles, mounts, mats, frames packs, and moves works of art for the purposes of study, imaging, collections storage and display.
• Collaborates with conservators, registrars, photographers, project leads, curators, educators, designers, and other staff as needed, to access and/or move objects.
• Attends all mandatory safety and equipment training sessions.
• Complies with and upholds safety standards for all equipment use.
• Performs billing and accounting duties per exhibition or project as assigned.
• Serves as a keyholder staff member with full museum access and a primary point of contact for gallery and collections storage facilities and maintenance.
• Collaborates closely with other departments, particularly Facilities and Security, to provide continued assistance to the larger museum when needed and ensures compliance with all mandatory regulations.
• Works autonomously within established procedures to care for, handle, and display museum collections.
• Packs, unpacks and transports objects or artwork.
• Monitors and maintains the climate control system.
• Oversees the maintenance of exhibits, displays, storage areas, loading docks, museum grounds, building facilities, and shop equipment and supplies.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: College or university degree in a related field.
• Experience: Background in art museums, professional artist studio practices and and/or galleries.
• Certifications: Relevant certification to use forklifts, personnel lifts and other motorized equipment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge

• Accomplished in multimedia and AV installation.
• Proficient with Adobe CS, Sketchup and or other relevant exhibition design software.
• Rigging experience.
• Advanced knowledge of museum best practices, including the safe handling, care and installation of all art objects, art collection storage and security, installation hardware and gallery lighting.
• Gallery installations and carpentry skills, advanced fabrication and construction skills; extensive experience working with hand, mechanical and power tools, hardware, shop equipment, ladders, lifts, and safety protocols.
• Knowledge of ADA accessibility requirements for exhibition layouts.
• Knowledge of fine art packing methods, materials, and related transit.
• Advanced skill in matting and framing, and mount making.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Multitask on a variety of concurrent projects.
• Effectively manage details as well as the larger scope of any given project.

Working Conditions

• Work early mornings, evenings, or weekends when needed, for project deadlines.
• Moving objects of up to 50 lbs.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• Professional References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

Job Family Museum & Arts Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Pay Range $34.00 - $37.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible Yes

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/