Head Preparator

Modern Shop; Fort Worth (TX); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Modern Shop in Fort Worth seeks a Head Preparator to lead a team of preparators, plan and install exhibitions, and care for the collection, loans, and related installations. You will collaborate with Registrars, Curatorial, Exhibitions, Facilities and Security, manage schedules, oversee safety and training, and ensure gallery lighting and pedestals meet museum standards.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in a museum with supervisory responsibility, strong communication, carpentry skills, and

Qualifications

• 7+ years museum or art handling experience
• 2+ years in supervisory role
• Clear communication with colleagues, collaborators, and artists
• Careful, accurate workmanship in handling artworks
• Ability to work independently or with teams
• Knowledge of best practices in art handling, packing, transport and installation
• Proficiency with shop drawings, blueprints, and design plans
• Experience with CAD/SketchUp preferred

Responsibilities

• Oversee a team of ~8 preparators and contractors; manage daily schedules
• Supervise and mentor staff; conduct performance reviews
• Assess installation plans for feasibility and provide feedback
• Install, de-install, pack, and unpack artwork per museum standards
• Develop rigging/hoisting plans; liaise with crane operators
• Ensure OSHA compliance and safety procedures in the department
• Adjust and maintain gallery lighting as needed
• Maintain best practices for handling, storage, crating, and packing
• Oversee mount fabrication and framing; collaborate on pedestals and fixtures
• Coordinate with exhibitions staff to maintain galleries and displays
• Support maintenance of woodshop, storage areas, and off-site warehouse
• Organize and inventory exhibition furniture and accessories
• Assist with emergency response planning and risk management
• Review service and vendor agreements; handle department documentation
• Participate in planning meetings and related correspondence
• Serve as international/domestic courier as assigned

Skills

Supervisory experience

Communication

Teamwork / Collaboration

Problem solving

Reading blueprints / design plans

Mathematics / measuring

Microsoft Office

Travel willingness

Craftsmanship

Tools

CAD / SketchUp

Woodshop / Carpentry

Forklift operation

Lift operator certificate

Job description

Job Title: Head Preparator
Department: Collections & Exhibitions
Reports to: Director of Collections and Exhibition Management
FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary:

The Head Preparator works in close collaboration with the Registrars, Curatorial, Exhibitions, Facilities, and Security staff, to plan, install, de-install, and care for the collection, loans, and temporary exhibitions. The ideal candidate for this role will excel in executing complex installations, working directly with living artists, and managing a team. The candidate will be organized, self-motivated, skilled at creative problem solving, and demonstrate calm, sound judgment.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Oversee a team of approximately 8 preparators and occasional contractors, manage daily schedules and team assignments, and proactively identify schedule conflicts where additional staffing may be required.
• Supervise, mentor, train, and oversee direct reports to ensure the effective and efficient operation of all assigned activities; facilitate strong performance and achievement; and provide ongoing feedback to direct reports and conduct performance reviews.
• Assess installation plans for feasibility and implementation, and provide constructive feedback.
• Install, de-install, pack, and unpack artwork in accordance with museum standards.
• Devising rigging and hoisting plans, liaise with crane operators and other vendors when required.
• Oversee training and compliance with all OSHA-related activity within the department, and oversee all safety-related procedures for the department.
• Adjust and maintain gallery lighting, as needed.
• Work with the Collections and Exhibitions department on maintaining best practices for art, handling, storage, packing, and crating.
• Oversee mount fabrication and framing.
• In collaboration with Senior Preparator, oversee construction and painting of pedestals, fixtures, and other finished structures, in coordination with exhibitions staff.
• In collaboration with Exhibitions, ensure that the galleries and displays are well-maintained and adhere to museum best practices.
• In collaboration with Senior Preparator, oversee maintenance and updates to the woodshop, collection storage, and the off-site warehouse.
• Organize, maintain, and inventory exhibition furniture and other accessories (mounts, cleats, frames, etc.).
• Partner with senior leadership and the department on updating and implementing emergency response plans as they relate to the collection and loans.
• In collaboration with the Director of Collections and Exhibitions Management and senior leadership, review service agreements and vendor agreements as needed.
• Process all department documentation: invoices, schedules, vacation requests, time sheets, draft budget submissions, etc.
• Attend meetings related to exhibition planning and regularly engage in related correspondence.
• Serve as international and domestic courier as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in a museum, or for other professional art handling companies , with at least 2 years’ supervisory experience.
• Excellent work ethic, craftsmanship, practical problem-solving, creative thinking, embracing collaborative practice, and understanding of team spirit.
• The ability to communicate clearly with colleagues, collaborators, and artists.
• Demonstrated ability to work with care and accuracy while performing job duties.
• Ability to work independently, with a partner, or with a larger team, to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, best practices in art handling, packing, transport, and installation of various types of artworks.
• General mount making, fabrication, and construction skills, including woodshop and carpentry experience, and working knowledge of gallery lighting.
• Experience operating fork/aerial lifts; have or be willing and able to obtain a lift operator certificate.
• Excellent mathematics and measuring skills.
• Ability to read and understand shop drawings, blueprints, and design plans.
• CAD or SketchUp skills preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Willingness and ability to travel for courier trips, installations, conferences, etc.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Some duties of this position require being able to work outside, potentially in inclement weather, for extended periods of time.
• Duties require sitting at a desk.
• Duties require working in dusty and loud environments.
• Potential for overtime and weekends during installation periods
• Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit for extended periods of time with limited breaks
• Ability to use hands to handle, or feel, reach with hands and arm, and reach above shoulder height.
• The employee is regularly required to climb or balance, squat, kneel, and crouch.
• The employee must regularly be able to lift and/or move up to 50+ pounds and move heavy objects as required.
• Ability to climb ladders, operate mechanical lifts and power tools
• Ability, mobility, and license to drive a motor vehicle
• Acute vision, hearing, voice, smell, and sense of touch
• Employees are required to move about their work area, between buildings and the campus grounds, ascend and descend stairs