Exhibitions Assistant

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 21,491,000 - 24,797,000; Part time

Job summary

Mark Arts is seeking an Exhibition Assistant to support the Exhibition & Engagement Director in preparing, installing, administering, and maintaining exhibitions. The role blends hands-on artwork handling with administrative tasks to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, able to work with original artworks, measure layouts, and follow established safety procedures during installation and deinstallation, while contributing to storage and preparation efforts.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and ability to work around original artwork and exhibition materials.
• Ability to measure, calculate spacing, and follow installation layouts using feet, inches, and fractions.
• Familiarity with using basic hand and power tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with handling, unpacking, packing, movement, installation, and deinstallation of artwork.
• Prepare gallery spaces for exhibitions including measuring and layout, signage, patching walls, and finish work.
• Maintain clean, organized galleries and storage areas; follow safety procedures.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Measurement & layout

Professional communication

Teamwork

Education

BFA/BA in Studio Art or Museum Studies

Tools

Basic hand & power tools

Job description

The Exhibition Assistant supports the Exhibition & Engagement Director in the preparation, installation, administration, and ongoing maintenance of exhibitions at Mark Arts. During exhibition installation and deinstallation periods, this position is highly hands-on, assisting with artwork handling, gallery preparation, installation, packing, and storage. Between exhibitions, the Exhibition Assistant provides administrative and organizational support to help prepare for upcoming exhibitions and maintain effective day-to-day exhibition operations.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys a combination of hands-on and administrative work, is highly detail-oriented, and can shift comfortably between physical gallery work and behind-the-scenes coordination. Because the position works directly with original artwork and exhibition materials, care, accuracy, organization, and the ability to follow established procedures are essential.

This is a regular part-time, hourly position working approximately 20 hours per week. Scheduling may vary based on exhibition installation, deinstallation, and departmental needs. The pay rate is $15.00 per hour.

Duties

• Assist with the safe handling, unpacking, packing, movement, installation, and deinstallation of artwork.
• Assist with condition reporting and documentation of artwork during receiving, installation, deinstallation, packing, and return.
• Prepare gallery spaces for exhibitions, including measuring and laying out artwork, installing exhibition signage and labels, patching and repairing walls, sanding, painting, and completing other finish work.
• Safely use hand and power tools and other equipment required for exhibition preparation and installation.
• Assist with preparing artwork and exhibition materials for storage, shipment, and delivery.
• Monitor gallery presentation during exhibitions and assist with minor maintenance or adjustments as needed.
• Maintain clean, organized, and functional galleries, art storage areas, and exhibition preparation spaces.
• Follow established artwork-handling, installation, storage, and workplace safety procedures.

Exhibition Administration & Preparation

• Provide administrative support to the Exhibition & Engagement Director between exhibition installation and deinstallation periods.
• Assist with organizing and maintaining exhibition records, files, checklists, schedules, and other departmental documentation.
• Assist with preparing exhibition labels, signage, and other materials for upcoming exhibitions.
• Maintain inventories of exhibition supplies, installation materials, tools, and related resources.
• Assist with coordinating and preparing materials needed for upcoming exhibitions, artwork arrivals, installations, and deinstallations.
• Support the organization and documentation of artwork and exhibition materials in storage.
• Perform data entry, document preparation, research, filing, and other exhibition-related administrative tasks as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities Required

• Strong attention to detail and ability to work carefully around original artwork, fragile objects, and exhibition materials.
• Ability to accurately measure, calculate spacing, and follow installation layouts using feet, inches, and fractions.
• Ability to safely use, or willingness to learn to use, basic hand and power tools.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and established procedures while recognizing and communicating potential problems.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and organized physical and digital workspaces.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and adjust priorities during active installation and deinstallation periods.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Professional communication skills when interacting with artists, staff, vendors, and other exhibition partners.
• Ability to learn and follow proper methods for handling, packing, storing, and displaying artwork.

Preferred Education & Experience

• One to two years of experience in art handling, exhibition preparation, museums, galleries, studios, fabrication, construction, or another related hands-on environment preferred.
• Familiarity with artwork handling, storage, installation, or display practices preferred.
• Experience using basic hand and power tools preferred.
• BFA, BA in Studio Art, Museum Studies, or a related field preferred but not required. Relevant education, training, or experience may be considered in place of a degree.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Frequently lifts, carries, positions, and moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance or appropriate equipment when necessary.
• Frequently uses ladders or step stools while installing and deinstalling artwork and exhibition materials.
• Regularly performs hands-on work requiring standing, walking, reaching, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and climbing.
• Requires sufficient hand and wrist mobility to safely handle artwork and operate tools and equipment.
• Requires visual ability necessary for detailed installation work, including measuring, alignment, color identification, depth perception, close visual inspection, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work may involve dust, paint, tools, equipment, and moderate noise during gallery preparation and installation.
• Must follow established safety practices and artwork-handling procedures.