Art Museum Preparator

Art Museum Preparator

Location: Twin Cities
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job Code: 8412EX
Employee Class: Civil Service

Preparator

The Preparator plays a key role in the development and implementation of exhibitions and contributes to the general care of the Katherine E. Nash Gallery art exhibitions and programs. They are part of the Department of Art located in the Regis Center for Art and report to the Director of the Katherine E. Nash Gallery. The Preparator works collaboratively with curators, artists, faculty, staff, and students. This is a 100% on-site position.

50% of the preparator's time is spent supporting exhibition development and implementation, 40% is spent supporting the management of artworks in the gallery's care, and 10% is spent engaging in professional development.

Primary Areas of Responsibility

• Contributes to long-term, multi-year plans for permanent and temporary exhibits, which may include coordinating with artists, academics, and students.
• Strategizes and plans logistics of installations and deinstallations with the exhibition production team.
• Designs, plans, and creates accessible display solutions in collaboration with curators, registrars, artists, and outside contractors.
• Plans for visitor flow and access in exhibit design to maximize visitor experience, prioritizing public safety and the gallery's accessibility policy.
• Consults with artists, curators, and external partners regarding the realization of digital-born artworks in exhibits. Maintains time-based media artworks in the gallery.
• Advises artists on design and fabrication to actualize conceptual artwork.
• Prepares objects for installation. This may include matting and framing, crafting and fabricating exhibition furniture, custom mounts, and ensuring the safe display of all objects.
• Directs the use of museum artifacts in exhibits, including overseeing their maintenance, proper care, and display.
• Uninstalls and prepares galleries for exhibition, including patching and painting walls.
• Designs and implements lighting for each exhibition following museum best practices.
• Maintains galleries, including cleaning artwork, exhibition furniture/displays, maintaining electronic equipment, and gallery lighting.
• Receives, packs, and unpacks artworks on loan for exhibition. This includes building crates and other custom packing solutions.
• Ensures the safe transport of artworks and loans locally. Works closely with gallery staff, including ensuring the safe movement of artwork throughout the building, verifying object location updates, crafting custom long-term storage solutions, and preparing for the receipt of incoming loans.
• Manages equipment maintenance and supplies related to the production of exhibitions.
• Works with fabricators and contractors to develop proper display mounts and techniques for artworks.
• Professional development: Continue learning and keeping current on trends, standards, and policies related to the job area. Network and consult with gallery colleagues in a national and international capacity
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate has strong interpersonal and communication skills and desires to work in a team environment. The candidate will be familiar with a fast-paced, deadline-driven work atmosphere and be able to manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining flexibility with shifting priorities and deadlines.

• BA/BS plus at least 2 years of experience, or a combination of related education and work experience equal to at least 6 years.
• Extensive understanding of museum best practices for art handling, packing, and transporting artwork.
• Experience in installing and maintaining audio and visual media.
• Knowledge in gallery lighting design.
• Carpentry skills.
• Experience building crates for fine art objects.
• Experience in safely operating and maintaining various hand and power tools, hydraulic lifts, forklifts, scissor lifts/personal lifts, and other specialized equipment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Bending, squatting, reaching, lifting overhead, kneeling, and climbing ladders.
• Valid driver's license; safe driving record.

Physical Requirements

• Standing or walking for 4 hours at a time, up to 7 hours per day.
• Lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 75 lbs alone and more with assistance from others or equipment.
• Pushing and/or pulling heavy carts, crates, and other containers.
• Bending, squatting, reaching, lifting overhead, kneeling, and climbing ladders.

Preferred Requirements

• General knowledge of art history, contemporary art, and artists' materials.
• Experience utilizing 3D modeling software.
• Experience using Museum Collection Management Systems.
• Experience in matting and building custom frames for artworks of all mediums.
  

Pay Range: $23.30 - $30.53 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).