Exhibitions Preparator

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library encompasses an unrivaled museum of American decorative arts in its mansion and galleries and a magnificent 60-acre naturalistic garden—all set on 1,000 gorgeous acres.

Winterthur employs a wide array of positions in the areas of curatorial, horticulture, education, conservation, library, maintenance, marketing, development, technology, and administration.

Winterthur offers a unique and rewarding experience that is rich in culture and natural beauty. Winterthur considers its employees and volunteers to be among its greatest assets and welcomes applications from candidates who will contribute their specific skills to its mission “to inspire, enlighten, and delight all of its visitors while preserving and enhancing [Winterthur]” and also uphold its core values of agility, excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusion, and transparency.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the supervision of the Curator of Exhibitions, and working with the Exhibitions Project Coordinator and other Exhibitions Preparators, the Exhibitions Preparator will be responsible for the preparation, installation, de-installation, and maintenance of exhibitions and museum installations as assigned. As a key member of the exhibitions team, the Exhibitions Preparator supports all technical aspects of the exhibition process from early planning through completion, including exhibition design development and drafting plans for some small installations, coordinating, and executing gallery construction and exhibition build-out, and ensuring the safe handling and installation of artworks. Additionally, this position is responsible for the overall maintenance and upkeep of the gallery spaces, exhibition storage areas, and equipment and supply inventory. 

The Exhibitions Preparator works closely with all members of the Collections division staff to ensure safe handling of the museum collections and works on loan to the museum. This includes packing, unpacking, mounting, installation, special AV equipment and interactive handling, and movement and transport of museum, garden, library, and loan objects. The Exhibitions Preparator works with the Curator of Exhibitions and the Exhibitions Project Coordinator to coordinate a variety of exhibitions simultaneously, including developing and sharing installation plans with staff and contractors, and estimating time, cost, supply, and labor needs. The Exhibitions Preparator designs and/or builds exhibition elements, such as custom object mounts and/or display pieces, designs small-scale exhibition installations, maintains aesthetic cohesiveness throughout the galleries, and supervises staff and contractors during the installation process. All tasks should be performed in accordance with professional museum standards. 

Compensation: $21.00/hour

Benefits: Including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid time off plan including 10 holidays, vacation, personal, and sick time; 403b with employer match for eligible employees; discounts in the museum store and cafe; free general admission for you and your immediate family

Work Schedule: Generally 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday

Responsibilities:

1. Installation of assigned exhibitions and installations. Coordinates with appropriate staff, visiting artists, and contractors regarding schedules, priorities, and gallery- and object-related requirements. Assesses resource needs for all installations, and works with Curator of Exhibitions to prepare estimates, materials lists, and costs as needed to stay on time and within budget. 
2. Executes all aspects of gallery prep/installation, including packing, transport, and installation of museum objects and graphic materials; fabrication, preparation, and placement of exhibition furniture; and implementation of security measures and conservation guidelines. Designs, fabricates, and repurposes museum-quality custom object mounts, exhibition furniture and case components, hanging systems, and other gallery elements. 
3. Consults with Conservation staff and curators to plan for appropriate exhibition parameters for all objects.
4. Working with the Curator of Exhibitions and exhibition designers, assures the aesthetic cohesiveness of exhibitions and gallery spaces. Designs small-scale installations and works with contract designers on large-scale projects. 
5. Manages the maintenance, repair, and storage of exhibition furnishings and architecture. Ensures maintenance and upkeep of gallery spaces, workspaces, exhibition storage spaces, and components and audio/visual material, consulting with collections colleagues and technicians as necessary. Responsible for supervising and maintaining shop machinery and tools. 
6. Coordinates with Facilities, Trades Shops, and Conservation, as needed, to complete projects.
7. Supports all Collections staff with specialized object moves, packing/unpacking, and transport when necessary. Processes documentation related to collections moves, purchase orders and invoices, schedules, calendars, timesheets, and other administrative documentation with assistance from the Exhibitions Project Coordinator or Registration staff as needed.
8. Reinforces and implements proper procedures for art handling and safety in respect to equipment and collections. Serves as a key member of the Collections Emergency Plan team.
9. Maintains strict confidentiality of all Winterthur projects, shipments, art movement schedules, and other collections-related information.
10. Safely drive Winterthur vehicles or ride as a courier on trucks for loans, exhibitions, or special packing/unpacking and installation/de-installation of collection objects. Assists with local pickups/deliveries as needed. Interacts with donors and lenders when picking up and delivering objects.
11. Represents the Collections division in a professional manner both on the Winterthur property and when traveling on behalf of the institution.
12. Manages other projects and duties as assigned by the Curator of Exhibitions.
13. Assists in the production, printing, and preparation of labels and the development of gallery interactives and media, as needed.
14. Helps manage, organize, and maintain an institutional database of all exhibition properties (cases, decks, label carriers, etc.). 
15. Helps maintain workspaces and organization of all tools and materials

Minimum Experience: 3 or more years of experience installing exhibitions with a focus on fabrication of exhibition components. 3 or more years of 2-D and 3-D fine art handling or preparatory experience with a BA/BS or a minimum of 6 or more years’ experience with a high school diploma. 

Preferred Experience: Bachelor’s in studio art, art history, or related discipline with collections care coursework or experience with museum collections. 5 or more years of experience installing exhibitions with a focus on fabrication of exhibition components. 5 or more years of 2-D and 3-D fine art handling or preparatory experience. 3 or more years’ experience in art handling, packing, transportation, and installation of fine and decorative arts in a museum setting. Some experience working in a historic house museum. 

Knowledge/Skills:

1. Strong ability to read and interpret design plans, including floor plans, graphic elevations, and detailed construction and engineering drawings.
2. Strong ability to assist in preparation of galleries including patching, painting, and minor construction.
3. Proficient ability to fabricate pedestals, props, environments, casework, and interpretive materials. Familiarity with and ability to use hand and power tools. Intermediate woodworking skills.
4. Good ability to think analytically and have excellent problem solving, communication, planning and organizational skills. Confidence to make logistical decisions in the interests of object safety. Ability to direct and coordinate object movement with others. 
5. Ability to follow directions precisely and completely. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to schedule tasks, manage time, and meet deadlines. Ability to conceive time- and cost-saving techniques. 
6. Ability to work on many projects simultaneously, deadline oriented and use project management software
7. Ability to design and fabricate basic object mounts for museum objects. 
8. Ability to work well in team situations with a diverse range of people.
9. Proficient knowledge of common materials, safety procedures and equipment used in exhibitions, including but not limited to wood, metals, plastics, fabrics, fittings, etc.
10. Knowledge of best practices for handling, packing, moving, and transportation requirements of 2-D and 3-D museum objects. Must be able to pass art handling course.
11. A sense of aesthetics and ability to visualize in three dimensions.
12. Familiarity with standard museum installation techniques, including hanging systems for framed artwork in a historic house and gallery setting and mounting techniques for graphics installation.
13. Knowledge of how to properly wrap, load, and strap objects within a van or truck to keep them safe in transport.
14. Ability to troubleshoot basic connectivity and technology issues for gallery devices.
15. General proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook, digital photography and image management, and database navigation.

Essential Functions:

1. Manual dexterity. 
2. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and stand for extended periods of time.
3. Ability to reach objects and supplies in high places, and carry, climb, and balance on ladders up to 20’ for up to an hour.
4. Ability to push, pull, and navigate crates or carts with heavy pieces of furniture through narrow passages with or without assistance.
5. Will be required to use both small hand tools and basic wood working machinery (table saw, miter saw, etc.).
6. Must be able to apply and remove vinyl graphic material.
7. Ability to drive a van or small box truck in variable weather and road conditions, day and evening hours. Valid driver’s license and safe driving record. Successful completion of a defensive driving course. Ability to read maps and directions.
8. May be required to cut, polish, and repair acrylic vitrines.
9. May be required to wear safety gear such as breathing masks and protective goggles.
10. Ability to work in spaces that may be dusty or which may require exposure to toxic or flammable materials, i.e., solvents and spray paints.
11. Ability to stoop, kneel, and crouch. 
12. Ability to walk and carry small, delicate, or unusually shaped objects.
13. Ability to read and accurately record or verbally communicate accession numbers on objects.