Technician, Art Packing

School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago seeks a skilled Art Packing Technician within the Collections and Loans department to prepare shipments, fabricate packing systems, and ensure safe transit of artworks.

You will assist with receiving and releasing incoming and outgoing shipments, operate forklifts as needed, and maintain spaces with attention to TSA and safety standards. This role requires hands-on craftsmanship and strong teamwork.

Qualifications

• Crate fabrication and packing experience in a museum, gallery or art-handling setting.
• Proven expertise preparing crates and housings for artworks with various materials.
• Safe art-handling practices; able to use a wide range of hand/power tools.
• Excellent communication, organization and ability to follow instructions.
• Able to operate forklift or other heavy equipment after on-site training.

Responsibilities

• Pack and fabricate packing systems for shipment, safe handling, and storage of artworks.
• Prepare crates and pack/unpack artworks for shipments and exhibitions.
• Schedule packing/unpacking and coordinate with departments to meet deadlines.
• Operate heavy equipment to move artworks within galleries and docks.
• Maintain storage spaces, labeling, and TSA-compliant documentation.

Skills

Crate fabrication

Packing

Forklift operation

Rigging methods

Manual dexterity

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Google Suite

Collection database systems

Job description

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

About the Department

The department of Collections and Loans (C+L) oversees the management of the collection and loaned objects, defining processes that ensure compliance with the museum’s policies as well as legal obligations to borrowers, lenders, donors, and sellers. In four distinct areas––collections, loans, art preparation and logistics, and collections systems––C+L implements policies that govern the day-to-day application of museum best practices regarding documentation and recordkeeping; inventory and audit procedures; collection database and metadata management; logistics and shipping; art handling and packing; storage; insurance; and risk management. Through strategic and innovative applications of data and new technologies, the C+L team supports the growth of the museum and the modernization of collection care best practices.

Position Summary

Under the direction of Collections and Loans and reporting to the manager, art packing, this position provides expertise specific to the processing of shipments, preparation, fabrication and packing of art objects for transit and storage. Assists receiving and releasing of incoming and outgoing art shipments, packing and unpacking of collection works, loaned objects, exhibitions or other artwork transferring to off‑site storages.

Responsibilities

Packing

• Following the guidance of the Manager, Packs and fabricates packing systems for the shipment, safe handling and storage of artworks following museum specifications.
• Prepares crates and packs/unpacks art objects for shipments.
• Monitors and executes TSA regulations requirements for packed objects.

Scheduling and Logistics

• Plans and schedules packing and/or unpacking of objects entering and leaving the museum as well as internal transfers.
• Processes receiving and releasing of incoming and outgoing art shipments including tracking the receipt and location of crates and objects, recording packing notes and other documentation in the database.
• Coordinates with other departments to ensure projects are completed safely and on time.
• Acts with autonomy when the manager, art packing is not available.

Art Handling and Heavy Equipment Operation

• Provides heavy equipment operation to move artwork and shipments throughout the museum galleries and docks.

Space Maintenance, Safety Protocols and Training

• Maintains in working order art vaults, storages, tools, equipment and supplies.
• Manages temporary storage for artworks during transition and provides all appropriate physical labeling and associated documentation.
• Participates and contributes skills, experience and problem‑solving techniques to art‑handling training programs conducted by Collections and Loans and Conservation departments.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of three years of crate fabrication and packing experience in a museum, gallery or commercial art‑handling company required.
• Proven expertise preparing crates, support structures and housings for artworks in a variety of materials.
• Demonstrable safe and best art‑handling practices; exceptional manual dexterity including using a wide variety of hand and power tools and stationary equipment commonly found in a woodshop.
• Effective computer skills, knowledge of Google Suite and ability to learn museum‑specific collection database systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal competence; good judgment and initiative.
• Tested organizational and multitasking skills, highly detail‑oriented and ability to follow instructions precisely.
• Ability to operate a forklift or other heavy equipment with on‑site training/certification.
• Strong understanding and experience of rigging methods as they relate to packing/unpacking art objects is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 60 lbs. comfortably.
• Sufficient color perception and physical coordination to perform TSA related duties is required.
• Wears PPE as required.

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job‑related reasons.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [e-mail] .

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.