Senior Preparator
Senior Preparator
Employer Active
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Share
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Job Description
Department: Registration / Exhibitions
Reports to: Head Registrar for Collection and Exhibitions
Position: Exempt full-time with benefits
Compensation: $78000 - $82000 depending on experience
This is an onsite Boston-based position. Local candidates strongly preferred. No agencies please.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Core Values
Isabella Stewart Gardner believed that art had the power to change lives and she built a beautiful personal and immersive Museum setting to do so. Today the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM) is a living embodiment of her bold vision; a dynamic place where ideas and creativity in all its forms inspire visitors. Through exhibitions music programs and performances we strive to tell new stories and challenge assumptions engaging diverse voices and community members.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum seeks to connect past with present develop and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships with our local communities and artists expand and diversify our audiences and generate opportunities for creativity. We are firmly committed to creating both an inclusive work culture and a welcoming visitor experience. Our five-year strategic plan outlines the Museums core values goals and initiatives that serve as a renewal of Isabellas promise for the Museum to be a place for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.
Position Summary
The Senior Preparator is a lead team-member that supports the dynamic award-winning exhibition program at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum by participating in the planning and execution of six shows per year. The incumbent is an integral part of the exhibition planning team and is a thought-partner for the planning feasibility assessment and implementation of exhibition design installations and deinstallations. The position is primarily dedicated to Exhibitions but is also responsible for supporting selected permanent collection needs including conservation work collection photography scholarly research and gallery refurbishments in the historic galleries in collaboration with the Conservation and Collections this regard the Senior Preparator will function as a lead advisor and strategic planner with colleagues on these teams in order to support collection risk management and safe object movement in addition to performing object moves. The Senior Preparator oversees the daily work of freelance art handlers and contractors with direction from the Head Registrar. Additionally the Senior Preparator supports the Head Registrar with oversight and preparation of art shipments general loans and exhibitions needs and is responsible for maintaining the cache of packing materials and supplies art move equipment and art receiving and storage areas.
Primary Responsibilities
Exhibitions and Loans:
- Maintains the highest standard of care and best practices for collection and loaned works with regard to object handling documentation storage display and art packing for shipment. Continually engages in acquiring knowledge of updated standards and methodologies for the same and works to share and implement these at ISGM.
- With direction from the Head Registrar manages all art handling activities related to the installation and deinstallation of Museum special traveling and permanent exhibitions including assistance with art shipments; packing and unpacking materials; object handling; and installation/deinstallation of objects for display.
- Independently manages a varied portfolio of assigned exhibitions and special projects at various stages of development in support of ISGMs Exhibition and Loan program and overall strategic goals.
- Works closely with the Preparator in a collegial and mentorship role to support and develop overall skills related to art handling mount-making carpentry and related duties of the team. Delegates daily team duties to Preparator in consultation with Exhibition Team.
- Primary manager for selected vendor relationships and contractors/consultants for exhibition needs and makes orders (fabrication mounts supplies materials) as required.
- Oversees organization maintenance and cleanliness of back-of-house storage spaces in the museum including materials and supplies.
- Oversees contract art handlers and freelancers setting and making recommendations for workflow and priorities within overall assigned projects with direction from Exhibitions team and Head Registrar.
- Works professionally with couriers from lending institutions for the handling and display of loaned works for exhibition under the direction of the Head Registrar.
- May travel as ISGM courier to accompany works for loan as required.
- Other duties as assigned by Head Registrar in support of Exhibition and Loan work.
Collections and Conservation Work:
- As the senior art handler at ISGM works closely with Collections and Conservation teams in support of object preparation needs for historic gallery restoration projects photography of the collection and general Conservation department support as needed.
- Works collaboratively with and provides guidance to the Preparator in support of art preparation best practices related to collection care and historic collection needs.
- Actively engages in the team planning process for implementation of various projects within the historic collection or conservation projects.
- As needed travels between ISGM and off-site storage area to deliver store or collect supplemental holdings items or exhibition furniture to/from the Museum. Works with registrars at ISGM to manage off-site storage and activities related to storage area.
Communication and Related Responsibilities:
- Demonstrates a strong sense of personal leadership accountability empathy and collegiality in support of core work and team relationships. Acts as a strategic partner providing timely feedback on Exhibition and Conservation/Collections projects.
- Works closely and professionally with a wide variety of personalities positions and stakeholders both internally and externally including but not limited to Facilities Security Collections Contemporary Conservation and Operations teams.
- Maintains patience flexibility adaptability and a collegial relationship in working with living artists for contemporary art installations. Takes direction from artists during the installation process while keeping within standard museum procedures for best practices and timelines for project deliverables.
- Meets deadlines and deliverables according to schedule with an appropriate sense of urgency. Communicates effectively with Head Registrar and Exhibitions team when project deadlines are challenged or affected.
- Follows all best practices and safety protocols for use of tools and equipment.
- Other duties as assigned.
- A Bachelors degree in Art History Museum Studies Studio Art or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
- Minimum of 15 years experience in art handling packing and exhibition development installation and deinstallation in a museum environment.
- A working broad knowledge of museum best practices and standards for collection handling and care installation and deinstallation of artwork art packing and preventive conservation including specialized knowledge in the safe use of tools and equipment used for art movement installation shipping and packing.
- Experienced with a broad range of object types both historic and contemporary such as paintings sculpture architectural elements objects textiles furniture works on paper mixed media digital artwork a/v equipment projection new media and contemporary art installation of site-specific and performance artwork.
- Minimum of 8 years experience in finish carpentry. Highly proficient with standard workshop tools and possesses an excellent level of carpentry skills for fabrication of exhibition display elements art move equipment packing materials or crates and special project builds as needed. Experience with matting framing of 2-D works is also helpful. Experienced with the best practices for painting and prepping of museum display mounts/pedestals necessary.
- Experience with mount-making matting framing and re-housing of 2- and 3-dimensional collection objects using a variety of materials.
- Proficiency with and the safe use of art moving and lift equipment including but not limited to staging dollies a-frames painting carts furniture lifts/dollies rigging equipment j-bars pallet jacks forklifts and scissor lifts.
- Must be able to problem-solve and develop safe solutions for complex art moves display or packing issues and to an array of operational or other challenges.
- Able to work independently and in a team-setting with a high level of organization and attention to detail.
- A high level of personal accountability for work including prioritization of projects and meeting deadlines in support of the Museums strategic goals.
- Excellent communication skills (written verbal and auditory) as well as strong listening skills. Ability to communicate effectively clearly and frequently in support of assigned work. Must be able to work flexibly and creatively adapting to the needs communication styles and personalities of a wide range of stakeholders internally and externally.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality for limited-access information related to art shipping and storage as well as other sensitive information.
- Some work may take place during off-hours. Ability to work a flexible schedule as required.
- Ability to travel as required.
- Massachusetts drivers license required with a clean driving record.
- Commitment to advancing the ISGMs strategic initiatives.
- Legal authorization to work in the United States.
- Satisfactory background check.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift bend reach and stand for extended periods of time. Comfortable stooping pushing and pulling while working.
- Must be able to reach and work above shoulders climb up and down and work on ladders scaffolding and/or a scissor lift up to a height up to 36 feet.
- Must be able to lift heavy objects up to 80 pounds comfortably.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Museum is committed to affording equal opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of race color religion age (40 or older) disability national origin sex gender identity sexual orientation genetic information pregnancy childbirth or related conditions ancestry or status as a veteran. Consistent with our core values and our founders legacy the Museum is dedicated to building a work community that fosters collaboration excellence belonging and a diversity of perspectives and experience.
Request an Accommodation
Applicants with disabilities who are unable to fully access ISGMs online application system may contact us at for assistance with a reasonable accommodation.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
