Exhibition Designer/Preparator

UNCG; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 49,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNC Greensboro is seeking an Exhibition Designer/Preparator to handle artwork from installation to packing, and to help design and produce exhibition graphics and signage.

The role requires a solid background in exhibition design, safe handling practices, and collaboration with curators and vendors. Hybrid teamwork with facilities and offsite vendors is common; strong typography and layout skills are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and one year of experience demonstrating the competencies needed for the work.
• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in experience and certification.
• Two years of relevant professional experience.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Vectorworks, Sketch Up, and related applications.
• Strong understanding of typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and identity systems.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices for print communications is preferred.
• Knowledge of hinging, matting, framing, lighting, or object mount-making; and the presentation of new media.
• Knowledge of safe art-handling practices.
• Demonstrated understanding of methods and practices of exhibition installation.
• Proficiency with standard office word processing/editing and scheduling platforms.
• Ability to participate in a team-based environment.
• Ability to handle artworks, use power tools, lift up to 50lb on one’s own, and climb and work from ladders.
• A valid driver’s license to transport artwork.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards for quality, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Exhibition Planning and Design: collaboratively plans and performs all aspects of museum exhibitions installations.
• Designs and produces a wide range of materials including exhibition graphics, educational materials related to exhibitions/collections, and exhibition branding and signage, ensuring consistency in typography use, imagery, graphic composition, and overall design execution.
• Prepares production-ready files and oversees print and fabrication processes to ensure successful execution across various formats.
• Coordinates with external vendors, printers, fabricators, and freelancers as needed.
• Assists with the creation of department and exhibition budgets, contracting with UNCG Facilities and offsite vendors, and facilitates visiting artists’ needs during installations/deinstallations.
• Partners with curators to develop exhibition designs and layouts.
• Collaboratively plans and performs all aspects of museum exhibitions installations, including preparing gallery walls; packing and unpacking artwork; installing artwork; lighting the galleries; installing interpretive materials; and placing exhibition furniture.
• Participates in developing, implementing, and communicating production schedules and assures realistic timelines.

Skills

Exhibition design

Art handling

Project management

Teamwork

Safety practices

Ladder work

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Vectorworks

SketchUp

Job description

Applicants who have already applied do not need to reapply. Their applications remain under consideration.

Position Information

Position Number

Position Number 004510

Functional Title

Functional Title Exhibition Designer/Preparator

Position Type

Position Type Staff

Position Eclass

Position Eclass EZ - EHRA Non - Exempt Permanent

University Information

Located in North Carolina’s third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University’s 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

Embracing its public service role, the Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNC Greensboro fosters the ability of art to impact lives and connect multiple communities.

WAM is internationally known for its collections of American paintings, sculptures, and works on paper and for its exhibitions that help broaden the story of American art. The collection of approximately 7,000 objects represents all major art movements from the beginning of the 20th century to the present.

The Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNC Greensboro was founded by Gregory Ivy in 1941 and is the earliest of any art facility within the UNC system. The museum was founded as a resource for the campus, community, and region and its early leadership developed an emphasis—maintained to this day—on presenting and acquiring modern and contemporary works of art. In 1989, the museum moved into its present location in The Anne and Benjamin Cone Building designed by the architectural firm Mitchell Giurgula. The museum has five galleries and a sculpture courtyard with over 17,000 square feet of exhibition space. The American Alliance of Museums accredited the Weatherspoon in 1995 and renewed its accreditation in 2005, 2015, and 2025.

Position Summary

This position supports the Weatherspoon Art Museum’s priorities through the timely and thorough completion of all aspects of collections care and exhibition installation. This includes handling, preparing, installing, storing, packing, and shipping artwork. In consultation with the museum curators, the exhibition designer/ preparator participates in exhibition design, scheduling, and layout. This individual executes safe handling and movement of artwork to support teaching with the collections. They lead the design and production of exhibition and print materials that support the museum’s programs, ensuring a consistent, sophisticated, and mission-aligned visual presence across all collections and exhibition touchpoints. They also contribute design support to exhibitions at the Jeanne Tannenbaum Center for Creative Practice. The position reports to the registrar and works in close collaboration with the museum preparator on most tasks. All Museums and Creative Practice staff support the associate vice chancellor in developing a vibrant and engaged community.

Minimum Qualifications

• HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY AND ONE YEAR OF EXPERIENCE THAT DEMONSTRATES POSSESSION OF THE COMPETENCIES NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE WORK ; OR EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE .

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in experience and certification.
• Two years of relevant professional experience.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Vectorworks, Sketch Up, and related applications.
• Strong understanding of typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and identity systems.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices for print communications is preferred.
• Knowledge of hinging, matting, and framing of works on paper; lighting; or object mount-making; and the presentation of new media.
• Knowledge of safe art-handling practices.
• Demonstrated understanding of methods and practices of exhibition installation.
• Proficiency with standard office word processing/editing and scheduling platforms.
• Ability to participate in a team-based environment.
• Ability to handle artworks, use power tools, lift up to 50lb on one’s own, and climb and work from ladders.
• A valid driver’s license to transport artwork.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards for quality, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Recruitment Range

Recruitment Range $49,000 - $55,000

Org #-Department

Org #-Department Weatherspoon Art Museum - 11001

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 08/17/2026

For Best Consideration Date

For Best Consideration Date 11/11/2026

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

FTE

FTE 1.000

Type of Appointment

Type of Appointment Permanent

If time-limited, please specify end date for appointment.

Number of Months per Year

Number of Months per Year 12

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Key Responsibilities

Percentage Of Time

30

Key Responsibility

Exhibition Planning and Design

• Collaboratively plans and performs all aspects of museum exhibitions installations, including preparing gallery walls; packing and unpacking artwork; installing artwork; lighting the galleries; installing interpretive materials; and placing exhibition furniture.
• Designs and produces a wide range of materials including exhibition graphics, educational materials related to exhibitions/collections, and exhibition branding and signage, ensuring consistency in typography use, imagery, graphic composition, and overall design execution.
• Prepares production-ready files and oversees print and fabrication processes to ensure successful execution across various formats.
• Coordinates with external vendors, printers, fabricators, and freelancers as needed.
• Assists with the creation of department and exhibition budgets, contracting with UNCG Facilities and offsite vendors, and facilitates visiting artists’ needs during installations/deinstallations.
• Partners with curators to develop exhibition designs and layouts.
• Collaboratively plans and performs all aspects of museum exhibitions installations, including preparing gallery walls; packing and unpacking artwork; installing artwork; lighting the galleries; installing interpretive materials; and placing exhibition furniture.
• Participates in developing, implementing, and communicating production schedules and assures realistic timelines.

Percentage Of Time

25

Key Responsibility

Object Preparations

• Prepares works of art for storage, exhibitions, teaching, and loans. Responsibilities include hinging, matting, and framing works on paper; preparing and maintaining paintings, sculpture, and new media presentations (video, audio, film, and digital); and making object mounts, supports, and housing.

Percentage Of Time

20

Key Responsibility

Collections and Registration

• Works in close coordination with the curator of collections and head of facilities, the registrar, and museum preparator to meet requirements for collections care and stewardship. Responsibilities include maintaining collections storage; supporting object conservation; facilitating loans; and supporting the processing and incorporation of new acquisitions.
• Helps curator to develop collection care budgets.

Percentage Of Time

15

Key Responsibility

Object Handling for Teaching

• Supports teaching with the collection by providing art handling for collection study sessions.
• Supports object photography through art handling to increase online access to the collection.

Percentage Of Time

10

Key Responsibility

Team Support

• Works with UNCG Facilities, Design and Construction, and offsite vendors and supports all internal projects and contracted work as needed.

ADA Checklist

R for Rare (0-30%), O for Occasional (30-60%), F for Frequent (60-90%), C for Constant (90-100%).

Physical Effort

Physical Effort Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions - F, Hand Movement-Grasping - F, Holding - F, Finger Dexterity - O, Vision-Skilled Trades - C, Reading - O, Writing - O, Eye-hand coordination - C, Vision-Color Distinction - R, Vision-Preparing/Analyzing figures - F, Vision-Visual inspection - C, Vision-Measuring/Assembling at distance close to eye - O, Hearing - O, Talking - O, Standing - F, Sitting - R, Walking - C, Lifting-0-30 lbs. - F, Lifting-30-60 lbs. - C, Lifting-60-90 lbs. - O, Lifting-90 plus lbs. - R, Pushing/Pulling - F, Climbing-Ladders - O, Bending - F, Squatting - O, Crawling - R, Reaching - F

Work Environment Driving - Car/Truck - R, Equipment/Machines - Ladders - O, Equipment/Machines - Step Stools - F, Equipment/Machines - Scaffolds - R, Extreme noise levels - R, Inside - C, Outside - O, Ventilation ConditionsDust - R, Ventilation ConditionsFumes - R, Ventilation ConditionsChemicals - R, Ventilation ConditionsGases - R

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please indicate how you learned of the vacant position for which you are applying:
  • UNCGjobsearch Website
  • Greensboro News & Record
  • Carolina Peacemaker
  • Other Newspaper
  • The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • Other Professional Journal
  • NCWorks.gov
  • UNC System Job Board
  • Other Online Job Board
  • Personal Networking
  • Other
• * If you selected "Other", please provide the name of the resource here.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Are you eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship for employment at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you currently have a valid drivers license?
  • No Response
  • Yes
  • No