Collections Technician

The Momentary; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Momentary in Bentonville is seeking a Collections Technician to support care, maintenance, and access to the museum’s permanent collection and loans. You will assist with photography, conservation, packing, framing, and transporting artwork for Crystal Bridges and The Momentary.

Role involves vault maintenance, inventory tasks, and participation in special installations and rotations. Valid driver’s license and ability to travel may be required; 2+ years museum experience preferred.

Qualifications

• BA in an art-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2 years of museum or gallery experience.
• Knowledge of art-handling procedures for diverse materials, sizes, and weights.
• Strong technical skills in construction, fabrication, and installation; proper use of tools and equipment.
• Proficiency with standard office equipment and software.

Responsibilities

• Assist with collection-related projects: photography, conservation, cleaning, and vault maintenance.
• Collaborate on safe framing solutions for works and loans; matting and framing installations.
• Pack/unpack crates and design packing for outgoing loans and acquisitions.
• Implement storage solutions per conservator recommendations and support conservation priorities.
• Stage artwork for study and research; assist in vault tours.
• Perform routine frame dusting, artwork cleaning, and maintenance in galleries.
• Support Registration with gallery checks, collection audits, and condition reporting for all items.
• Create and fabricate safe housing for artwork and artifacts for storage and transport.
• Assist in maintaining inventory of tools, supplies, and materials.
• Maintain organized, clean spaces (Prep Studio, storage, loading dock, woodshop, pedestal/crate storage).
• Act as courier for exhibitions and loans; assist loading/unloading art trucks.
• Participate in special installations, rotations, outdoor sculpture maintenance, and other museum functions.

Skills

Art handling procedures

Framing & installation

Inventory management

Hand tools & safety

Organization & time management

Verbal & written communication

Confidentiality & ethics

Education

BA in art-related field

Tools

Power tools

Lifts & handling equipment

Office software

Basic math & measurement

Job description

Collections Technician

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Collections Technician, the Collections Technician supports the care, maintenance, and access to the museum’s permanent collection and loans. The role includes condition reporting, packing/unpacking, storage solutions, framing, object viewing, conservation projects, photography, and general manual labor related to transporting and installing artwork for Crystal Bridges and The Momentary.

Principal Responsibilities

• Assist with collection‑related projects: photography, conservation, cleaning, and vault maintenance.
• Collaborate on safe and aesthetic framing solutions for works and loans, including matting and framing installations.
• Pack and unpack crates and shipping conveyances for loans and acquisitions; design packing solutions for outgoing loans.
• Implement storage solutions per conservator recommendations and support object conservation priorities.
• Stage artwork for study and research; assist in leading vault tours.
• Perform routine frame dusting, artwork cleaning, and maintenance across permanent collection galleries.
• Support Registration with routine gallery checks, collection audits, and condition reporting for all incoming/outgoing items.
• Create and fabricate safe housing for artwork and artifacts for storage and transportation.
• Assist in maintaining inventory of tools, supplies, and materials.
• Maintain organized, clean, and functional working spaces (Prep Studio, storage, loading dock, woodshop, and pedestal/crate storage).
• Act as courier for exhibitions and loans; assist with loading and unloading art trucks.
• Participate in special exhibition installations, permanent collection rotations, outdoor sculpture maintenance, and other museum functions.

Qualifications and Skills

• B.A. in an art‑related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2 years of museum or gallery experience.
• Knowledge of art‑handling procedures for two‑ and three‑dimensional objects of diverse materials, sizes, and weights.
• Strong technical skills in basic construction, fabrication, and installation methods; proper use and care of power and manual tools, lifts, and other equipment.
• Proficiency with standard office equipment and software.
• Working knowledge of hand tools and basic math applications.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Detail‑oriented, trouble‑shooter and problem‑solver.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of art preparation techniques and practices.
• Strong collaboration skills; highly motivated, goal‑oriented.
• Ability to understand and maintain confidentiality.

Licenses and Certifications

Valid driver’s license. Additional certifications related to art handling or transportation may be considered a plus.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Versatile manual work including standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching, and moving objects up to 50 lbs. Use of hands for handling delicate art. Periodic overnight travel and occasional evening or weekend work may be required. Work is performed in office, workshop, or gallery settings with low to moderate noise levels.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a confidentiality agreement and background check, as well as verification of eligibility to work in the United States.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws.