Preparator

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Museum admission

20% discount at Museum Store

Job summary

The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin seeks a Preparator to support proper care, handling, installation, and maintenance of the museum’s permanent collection, exhibitions, and loans. This role collaborates with preparators and registrars to ensure safe housing, framing, storage, and documentation.

Responsibilities include preparing artworks, installing/de-installing, packing, and traveling as needed; maintaining preparation areas, equipment, and confidentiality; and

Qualifications

• 3-4 years of professional art handling experience.
• Education equivalent to High school graduation or GED; Bachelor's may substitute for up to two years of experience.
• Ability to safely employ tools, painting equipment, aerial platform lift, pallet jack, forklift, ladders, scaffolding, etc.
• Excellent English language communication; art history terms
• Ability to follow instructions and work cooperatively with a team.
• Microsoft Office Suite and experience in collections database systems preferred.
• Valid Class C driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Maintain museum-wide artwork lighting systems, including bulb replacement, inventory control, and calibration.
• Place orders for new equipment after research and discussion with curators and staff.
• Assist with receiving/releasing works and loading/unloading with registrar.
• Maintain art preparation areas and storage rooms; keep tools and supplies in stock.
• Maintain lists of display furniture and storage locations.
• Prepare works for loan, installation, or storage with registrars or conservator.
• Handle artworks following museum guidelines; install/deinstall, pack/unpack with registrar coordination.
• Travel as courier for loans/exhibitions or for packing/unpacking.
• Assist with carpentry, painting, art lighting, and local pickups/deliveries.
• Document location changes after each art move.
• Maintain confidentiality of all projects and schedules.
• Stay informed on conservation requirements for housing and handling.

Skills

3-4 years experience

English proficiency

Teamwork

Art handling

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Art database systems

Job description

Job Posting Title: Preparator

Hiring Department: Jack S Blanton Museum of Art

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2029

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin is known for its bold vision, from a dynamic reinstallation of the collection galleries in 2017, to the opening of Ellsworth Kelly’s monumental work of art, Austin, in 2018, and redesign of its grounds by Snohetta in 2023, and the exhibitions and educational programs that define the museum’s role in the community.

There is even more to come for the Blanton and the thousands of school and university students and visitors we serve. With a proven track record as a museum that is deeply relevant, and where education is embedded into everything we do, we have put The University of Texas at Austin, and the city of Austin, on the forefront of the visual arts.

Benefits eligible Blanton Museum of Art staff enjoy the same competitive benefits, programs and services available to the University of Texas at Austin employees. Blanton staff also have access to complimentary admission to the museum, selected museum events, and a 20% discount at the Museum Store.

The Blanton is home to a vast array of roles matching a wide range of interests and talents. No matter the staff position at the Blanton, all contribute to the preservation of culture and history for the entire community.

- Please note this is a three-year term position (subject to renewal based on funding and performance).

Purpose

To ensure the proper care, handling, installation, and maintenance of the museum’s permanent collection, exhibitions, and loans by collaborating with preparators and registrars. This role supports the preservation and presentation of artworks through art handling, housing, matting, framing, storage upkeep, and assistance with art movements and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing and maintaining museum-wide artwork lighting systems, including bulb replacement, inventory control, purchasing, equipment upkeep, light and UV meter calibration, and collaboration on lighting research and best practices to ensure optimal art presentation and conservation.
• Responsible for placing orders when new equipment is needed after completing research, discussion with appropriate curator and other collections and exhibitions staff.
• Assist with receiving and releasing works of art as well as loading and unloading from vans/trucks and secure each shipment, in coordination with assigned registrar.
• Responsible for maintenance of art preparation areas, keeping all tools and supplies secure and in stock. Responsible for keeping all art storage rooms clean and well supplied.
• In coordination with Head of Installation, maintain lists of all display furniture and its storage locations.
• Prepare works of art for loan, installation or storage as scheduled by registrars or conservator (i.e. secure existing frame, add felt linings or spacers, glaze, attach backing boards, construct special mounts, retrofit crates, etc.).
• Handle works of art in various situations according to BMA guidelines and standard museum practices; install, de-install, pack and unpack works of art, always following provided instructions, or improving them for the safety of the objects, in coordination with the assigned registrar.
• Travel as needed as courier for loans and exhibitions, or for special packing/unpacking, installation/deinstallation of works of art.
• Assist with carpentry, painting, art lighting, and maintenance, and local pickups or deliveries using BMA art van, as needed.
• Responsible for documentation of location change after each art move.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all BMA projects, personnel issues, shipments, and art movement schedules.
• Must keep informed and current on conservation requirements for painting, sculpture, and mixed media housings and handling.

Required Qualifications

• 3-4 years of experience as professional art handler, preferably in museum setting.
• Education equivalent to High school graduation or GED. Bachelor's degree substitutes for up to two years of experience but must have the kind of experience listed above.
• Ability and skill to safely employ the use of a variety of tools, painting equipment, aerial platform lift, palette jack, forklift, ladders, scaffolding, and other heavy equipment and to handle oversized and/or heavy art objects and exhibition material.
• Excellent speaking/understanding of the English language including, art history terms and techniques.
• Ability to follow instructions and work cooperatively with a team.
• Microsoft Office Suite and experience in collections database systems preferred.
• Valid Class C operator's driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Driving Required

Driving Requirements

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$48,000

Working Conditions

• Must be able to visually inspect artwork
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time, lift, push, pull heavy, fragile, odd-shaped objects carefully.
• Must be able to carry 50 lbs.
• Occasional exposure to dust, latex paint fumes and heat.
• Must be able to complete short or long hours of travel by plane, truck, or other method of transportation needed.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• 3 work references with their contact information including email addresses; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers

You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers

As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.