Preparator - FT at Cincinnati Art Museum – Cincinnati, Ohio

Working cooperatively with museum staff, the preparator is responsible for installing, maintaining, and deinstalling works of art in special exhibitions, rotations, and permanent collection displays. The preparator supports all display preparations with a focus on lighting and participates in the movement of fine art both inside and outside the museum. The preparator works collaboratively with collections, conservation, and curatorial staff to achieve presentation objectives, while ensuring artwork is safely displayed. The ideal candidate has excellent organizational, listening, and communication skills. They are open-minded, emotionally intelligent, and enjoy problem solving in a synergetic environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Chief Preparator, duties include, but are not limited to:

• Commissioning the museum’s Bluetooth lighting system on smart control software.
• Installing and focusing gallery and case lighting
• Organizing and maintaining lighting inventory
• Participating in the installation and deinstallation of artwork in special exhibitions, rotations and permanent collection displays within the museum galleries and outdoor campus
• Mount making, preparing walls, painting, and light drywall work
• Supporting in-house carpentry team on demolition and buildouts
• Maintaining the cleanliness of gallery displays through regular dusting and cleaning
• Collaborating with curators, conservators, and designers to create custom storage and exhibition display mounts
• Safely packing and transporting objects for internal and external art movements
• Driving up to a twenty-six-foot box truck
• Loading and unloading semi-trucks
• Attending regular in-person and virtual meetings
• Maintaining correspondence through email and other museum applications
• Communicating with vendors, artists, and contractors to accomplish assigned duties
• Reading and following exhibition plans and display elevations
• Safely using hand tools, material handling equipment, pallet jacks, forklifts, and personnel lifts
• Responding when artworks are threatened due to emergency and moving objects to safety
• Other duties as assigned by management

Physical Demands

• Lifting and moving moderate to heavy weight items (at least 50 pounds) is required.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, reach, crouch, work overhead and climb a ladder.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced education in the arts or art history and at least two (2) years of art handling experience.
• A valid driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to CAM standards.
• A Bachelor of Arts in fine arts or an apprenticeship in a craft or trade is preferred.
• Must be able to follow verbal instructions, demonstrate attention to detail and ability to work with one’s hands.
• Candidates must be able to efficiently manage their time and responsibilities, work well independently and as a team member, and effectively communicate with their supervisor and coworkers.
• Must be able to function in a high demand environment with tight deadlines, while always maintaining professionalism and adhering to Cincinnati Art Museum policies and procedures.