Exhibitions and Collections Technician in Escondido, California at California Center for the Arts Escondido Foundation

The Exhibitions and Collections Technician supports exhibition production, artwork handling, storage organization, and collections stewardship for the California Center for the Arts Museum. Working closely with the Museum Manager, this position assists with the installation and deinstallation of exhibitions, maintenance of gallery spaces, organization of artwork and exhibition storage areas, and care of the Museum’s permanent collection. The position plays a key role in maintaining professional museum standards while supporting a dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions, installations, artist residencies, and collections initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Exhibitions (50%)

• Assist with the installation and deinstallation of temporary exhibitions.
• Prepare gallery spaces through patching, sanding, painting, and basic repairs.
• Safely handle, move, pack, unpack, and install artworks.
• Fabricate and install exhibition furniture, mounts, and support structures.
• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot audiovisual equipment and exhibition technology.
• Coordinate artwork deliveries, pickups, and shipping logistics.
• Support artists, lenders, contractors, and guest curators during exhibition installations.
• Assist with gallery lighting adjustments and exhibition maintenance throughout the run of exhibitions.
• Maintain exhibition tools, equipment, and supplies.

Storage and Facilities (30%)

• Assist in preparing facility reports, environmental documentation, and related materials for incoming exhibition loans.
• Assist with the organization and improvement of artwork, exhibition, and collections storage areas.
• Conduct inventory and location-tracking projects for collection objects, exhibition materials, and museum equipment.
• Maintain organized systems for exhibition hardware, tools, packing materials, audiovisual equipment, and supplies.
• Implement storage solutions that improve accessibility, efficiency, and long-term preservation of artworks.
• Maintain safe and functional gallery, workshop, and storage environments.
• Assist with routine maintenance of exhibition infrastructure and equipment.
• Make local pickups and deliveries of exhibition materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Support physical setup and breakdown of museum programs, public events, and special projects.

Collections Care (20%)

• Assist with the handling, movement, and storage of collection objects in accordance with museum standards.
• Assist with condition reporting and exhibition preparation.
• Support collections documentation and storage projects as needed.
• Assist with incoming and outgoing loans as assigned.
• Assist with collections maintenance projects, including rehousing, minor preservation initiatives, and coordination of conservation assessments and treatments as needed.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience handling artwork in a museum, gallery, or related setting.
• Experience using hand and power tools.
• Ability to safely lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work on ladders and perform physical installation work.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation sufficient to perform local job-related pickups and deliveries.

Preferred

• Experience with exhibition installation and fabrication.
• Experience with audiovisual installation and troubleshooting.
• Basic woodworking, fabrication, mount-making, or construction experience.
• Familiarity with collections databases such as PastPerfect, TMS, Artwork Archive, or similar systems.
• Knowledge of museum best practices for collections care and exhibition production.

Schedule

Schedule may vary during exhibition installations, deinstallations, and special events. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.