Wellin Museum Art Installer

Hamilton College; Town of Clinton (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Hamilton College is seeking an Art Preparator to assist with installation of exhibitions and care for the collection under the direction of the Building Manager and Preparator. The role involves wall building, painting, framing, mounting, and handling artwork to ensure proper storage and exhibition readiness.

This is an as-needed, non-benefited, part-time position limited to 909 hours per year, with duties across exhibition setup, collection maintenance, and general gallery upkeep.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of art handling and installation experience in a museum, gallery, professional art studio, or equivalent.
• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
• Construction, workshop, or fabrication shop experience required.

Responsibilities

• 50% Exhibition: installation/de-installation, gallery prep, mounting, rigging, labeling, vinyl, A/V techs, fabricating displays, packing/travel crates.
• 40% Collection: cleaning casework and surfaces, fabricating labels, moving objects, inventory in collections software, creating custom mounts.
• 10% General: gallery and back‑of‑house maintenance, OSHA safety, help with special projects.

Skills

Art handling

Installation

Safety compliance

Team collaboration

Communication

Rigging/weights

Education

New York State driver’s license

Tools

Power tools

Hand tools

Rigging equipment

Job description

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Building Manager and Preparator (BMP), the Art Preparator will assist, as needed, with the installation of art exhibitions and perform duties related to the museum’s collection, including but not limited to wall building, painting, fine art handling, framing, hanging/installing art, mounting didactic material, receiving and outgoing artwork, executing proper storage and fine art packing/unpacking, exhibition and gallery maintenance, workshop and storage maintenance, fabrication/carpentry, and other work as assigned. Works as part of a team of art preparators to forward the Museum’s programs. This is an as-needed, non-benefited, part-time position limited to working no more than 909 hours per year.

Job Description

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Building Manager and Preparator (BMP), the Art Preparator will assist, as needed, with the installation of art exhibitions and perform duties related to the museum’s collection, including but not limited to wall building, painting, fine art handling, framing, hanging/installing art, mounting didactic material, receiving and outgoing artwork, executing proper storage and fine art packing/unpacking, exhibition and gallery maintenance, workshop and storage maintenance, fabrication/carpentry, and other work as assigned. Works as part of a team of art preparators to forward the Museum’s programs. This is an as-needed, non-benefited, part-time position limited to working no more than 909 hours per year.

Responsibilities

50% Exhibition

Works under the direction of the Building Manager and Preparator (BMP) in all aspects of exhibition installation and de-installation, including but not limited to gallery preparation, construction, painting, mounting, rigging, and securing and handling artwork, lighting, labeling and signage, vinyl installation, and A/V technologies. Assists with fabricating exhibition displays, furniture, props, and mounts, matting, and framing works for exhibition. Preparing and packing/unpacking objects for travel, and assisting with incoming and outgoing shipments for exhibitions and collection, and building crates. Handles artwork with a high level of care that meets museum standards.

40% Collection

Under the direction of the BMP, Collections Curator, and Registrar, helps to clean art casework, art, and art display surfaces, and fabricate labels, as needed. Assist with moving objects and/or materials, as needed. Record object moves in collections management software TMS (The Museum System). Fabrication of collection displays and custom museum mounts, matting, and framing works from the collection as needed. Assists the Collections Curator and Registrar with object inventories. Handles artwork with a high level of care that meets museum standards.

10% General

Maintenance and housekeeping of galleries, exhibitions, and back-of-house spaces. Ensures workspaces are maintained in accordance with OSHA and Hamilton College safety, organization, and cleanliness standards. Assists BMP with special projects as needed, such as building custom museum furniture or front-of-house maintenance, remodeling, or refurbishment. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• 3–5 years of art handling and installation experience in a museum, gallery, professional art studio, or equivalent.
• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
• Construction, workshop, or fabrication shop experience required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Understands and adheres to the high level of precision and care required to meet museum standards for packing, crating, handling, and installing artworks in all mediums, and has a working knowledge of the use of archival materials and acid-free housings and packing.
• Responsible for adhering to safety rules.
• Proficient knowledge of museum best practices.
• Basic competency with Google Office Suite and demonstrated ability to learn collections management software, TMS (The Museum System).
• Excellent communication skills.
• Skill in working as part of a small team, collaborating with colleagues, and assisting visiting artists with professionalism and a positive attitude.
• Ability to work under pressure in an environment with shifting priorities and rapid change.
• Desire to learn and grow a professional skill set on the job.
• Ability to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, and squat for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work at elevated heights on ladders, scaffolding, and lifts.
• Ability to physically move and hold large and/or very heavy objects with great care (safely lift 50 lbs.).
• Skill with power and hand tools, and equipment used in moving and rigging heavy objects.

Compensation Range

$25.00 per hour

EEO Policy

Hamilton College is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes a wide array of experiences, backgrounds and viewpoints as integral components of academic excellence. Candidates who can contribute to those goals are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths in these areas.

Benefits

For Benefits Information, please navigate to the following link:

Employment - Work at Hamilton - Hamilton College