Museum Art Installer & Preparator

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston seeks a capable Preparator to join the Preparations department. Under the Chief Preparator, you will install and deinstall permanent galleries and temporary spaces, and maintain storage areas, ensuring safe handling of artworks for exhibition and transit.

You will handle packing, transport, and installation across MFAH locations, using carpentry skills and tools as needed, while meeting deadlines and coordinating with installation teams.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ art handling experience required.
• Proven ability to handle and install artworks safely.
• Ability to operate common packing methods and install across media.

Responsibilities

• Handles, installs, packs, and unpacks crated artwork at all museum buildings locations
• Installs/deinstalls artwork for temporary exhibitions and rotations
• Transports artwork in the museum truck and van between campus buildings
• Gallery maintenance of art pedestals, vitrines, and casework
• Maintains organization of artwork in museum storage areas
• Maintains organization and cleanliness of art preparation areas, tools, and equipment
• Records accurate location changes when artwork is moved within museum buildings, galleries, and storage areas
• Assists with photography set-up and conservation as needed
• Represents MFAH at other institutions as a courier for installation, transport or exhibition research
• Assists at off-site art storage, Rienzi, and Bayou Bend house museums as needed
• Organizes installations as assigned
• Assists conservation with outdoor sculpture maintenance
• Loads/unloads art crates from trucks as assigned

Skills

Art handling

Packing methods

Installation

Problem solving

Carpentry

Driver's license

Physical stamina

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Fine Arts background

Tools

Box truck driving

Forklift experience

Basic carpentry tools

Job description

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston seeks a capable Preparator to join the Preparations department. Under the Chief Preparator, you will install and deinstall permanent galleries and temporary spaces, and maintain storage areas, ensuring safe handling of artworks for exhibition and transit.

You will handle packing, transport, and installation across MFAH locations, using carpentry skills and tools as needed, while meeting deadlines and coordinating with installation teams.