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 qualified Preparator to work with the Preparations art handling department. Under direct supervision by the Chief Preparator, and working with the installation team, the Preparator installs/deinstalls permanent galleries, temporary exhibition spaces, and maintains art storage areas. The Preparator will ensure the professional, safe and timely preparation, care, and handling of works of art for exhibition and transit.

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, Knowledge And Abilities

• Proven experience and knowledge of art handling, packing and installation practices
• Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly so that installations operate smoothly and uninterrupted.
• Basic carpentry skills using hand and power tools
• Experience driving box truck, utility van, forklift – valid driver’s license required
• Must be able to lift 75 lbs or more and able to perform a variety of physical tasks involving lifting, bending, stooping and moving large items (including furniture)
• Working knowledge of and experience with various packing methods suitable to a wide range of media combined with a working knowledge of and experience with installation methods suitable to that same wide range of media
• Ability to work professionally and responsibly with all other areas within the museum
• High degree of time and resource management skills with the ability to work under time and deadline requirements and prioritize to meet those expectations.
• Weekend and evening work as required
• Demonstrated ability to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing
• Effectively handles multiple demands, shifting priorities when needed

Education And Experience

• 2+ years’ art handling experience
• Fine Arts background preferred
• Bachelor's degree in a related field OR any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH.