Museum Technician I

Detroit Institute of Arts; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, MI is seeking a Museum Technician I to help handle, install and manage artworks within the DIA collection and partner loans. The role reports to the Collections Manager and supports daily tasks and special projects in a fast-paced museum environment.

Responsibilities include preparing art for display, updating the digital database, maintaining storage areas, and coordinating with external museums and contractors for exhibitions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in fine arts, studio art, art history, museum studies, or related field required.
• Three (3) years of experience in art handling and working in a museum/gallery, including one (1) year of art installation required.

Responsibilities

• Handle, move and prepare art for storage, gallery display, exhibitions, and loans.
• Install and deinstall art objects in galleries and exhibitions.
• Participate in the regular cleaning, repair and maintenance of exhibit galleries, art and non-art displays, and display furniture.
• Create, pack and unpack art for storage, transportation, and gallery/exhibitions.
• Work with the Director of Collections Management and department team members to plan and execute daily tasks and special projects.
• Participate in the maintenance, organization, and monitoring of collection storage areas.
• Facilitate collection documentation and image processing.
• Update the collection's digital database.
• Perform daily checks of all art storage spaces, climate conditions and pest monitoring.
• Work with contractors and representatives from other museums to complete gallery/exhibition projects.
• Assist with museum projects and special events.
• Apply DIA values to interactions to support a culture of belonging among internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Art handling

Art installation

Collaboration

Blueprints

Power tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Digital photography

Office 365

Microsoft Teams

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Ethical conduct

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fine arts, studio art, art history, museum studies, or related field

Tools

The Museum System (TMS)

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

JOB TITLE: Museum Technician I

DEPARTMENT: Collections Management

REPORTS TO: Collections Manager

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, Exempt

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY: Project-Based

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the guidance of the Collections Manager, the Museum Technician I works to ensure that artworks in the DIA collection, as well as objects belonging to other institutions under the care of the DIA, are properly handled, installed and displayed, tracked and monitored, packed, and stored.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Handle, move and prepare art for storage, gallery display, exhibitions, and loans.
• Install and deinstall art objects in galleries and exhibitions.
• Participate in the regular cleaning, repair and maintenance of exhibit galleries, art and non-art displays, and display furniture.
• Create, pack and unpack art for storage, transportation, and gallery/exhibitions.
• Work with the Director of Collections Management and department team members to plan and execute daily tasks and special projects. Assist department team leaders in organizing and executing workflow.
• Participate in the maintenance, organization, and monitoring of collection storage areas.
• Facilitate collection documentation and image processing.
• Update the collection's digital database.
• Perform daily checks of all art storage spaces, climate conditions and pest monitoring. Respond to any issues detected as required.
• Work with contractors and representatives from other museums to complete gallery/exhibition projects.
• Assist with museum projects and special events.
• Apply DIA values to interactions to support a culture of belonging among internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in fine arts, studio art, art history, museum studies, or related field required. Three (3) years of experience in art handling and working in a museum/gallery, including one (1) year of art installation required. Additional years of experience may be substituted for degree requirement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated collaboration skills to work across departments and divisions internally and with diverse stakeholders externally.
• Working knowledge of art making media and techniques, and familiarity with materials and methods used in carpentry.
• Ability to operate power tools and heavy machinery.
• Ability to understand blueprints, technical drawings, and exhibition design plans.
• Must possess the understanding and sensitivity required to handle, store, and display museum-quality artworks in compliance with the American Alliance of Museums Standards for collections and current legal and ethical practices for museum and Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) policy on deaccessioning artworks.
• Experience with collections database software, The Museum System (TMS) preferred.
• Ability to pass Scissor lift and forklift certification training, and to pass Transportation Security Administration (TSA) certification testing.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to changes in priorities based on operational need.
• Demonstrated research and analysis skills to identify critical information and complete projects and goals.
• Experience with photo editing software, Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
• General understanding of digital photography.
• Ability to share clear, effective, and professional information through talking or writing.
• Strong Interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with attention to detail and produce accurate results.
• Ability to identify challenges and opportunities, engage others in their resolution, and recommend appropriate course of action.
• Must possess a demonstrated understanding of ethical business conduct and professional practices including maintenance and protection of confidential and sensitive information.
• Demonstrated skills to prioritize and complete multiple tasks tomeet deadlines and goals.
• Ability to work occasional weekend and evening hours for special events.
• Must be proficient in the latest version of Office 365.
• Must have proficiency in the use of remote work technology such as scheduling with, connecting to, and using digital collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams.
• Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive, and courteous interactions that promote positive teamwork. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position requires occasional heavy work, excellent hand-eye coordination and precise use of tools and materials. Position also requires the ability to independently lift, carry, hold and balance materials and fragile art objects weighing up to 35 lbs. A high level of visual acuity is required in order to evaluate materials, conditions and object requirements, and to operate tools, machinery and equipment. Position may involve domestic travel, work outdoors, and irregular work hours. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange accurate information using various methods including in-person, telephone and email.