Technician

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect care for and interpret works of art across time cultures geographies and identities centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context demanding continual dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full-time Hourly Staff
• Grade Level: 6

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Painting and Sculpture of Europe stewards a collection that comprises more than3000 works dating from the 12th through the early 20th century with a particular strength in Impressionism which comprises some 600 paintings. The department strives to produce originalscholarship and engage diverse audiences by contextualizing its collection within an expansive andevolving history of art.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The technician assists with art movement and preparation for departmental gallery rotations reinstallations and exhibitions supporting the curators director of curatorial administration anddepartment specialist and collaborating with installation crew registrars conservators facilitiespainters carpenters electricians engineers custodial security and other curatorial colleagues;relocates and installs art in the departmental galleries storage areas and special exhibitions spaces;provides basic care including maintenance of objects and displays in storage and on view; monitorsenvironmental conditions of the galleries and storage areas; performs location tracking in the museumsdatabase; and assists in the preparation of objects for installation and shipment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Art movement and installation:

In consultation with the curators director of curatorial administrationand department specialist supports the scheduling of departmental art movement and installations;assists with departmental art handling moving art to and from galleries storage areas committee andtrustee meetings imaging and conservation studios and special exhibition spaces; arranges for deliveryto and from offsite storage; requests installation and/or packing crew as needed for art movement andprovides functional supervision of art handlers and packers in installing deinstalling packing andunpacking objects as directed; submits facilities orders for pre- and post-installations and storageprojects including painting lighting stanchions casework mounts cleaning etc. May act as virtual orphysical courier for the department. Other duties as assigned.

Object tracking:

Updates location changes in museum database within the same day of art movement asper museum guidelines; performs systematic location checks of storage areas; performs annual audit ofgalleries and storage areas; creates documentation maps with measurements of gallery installationsafter each reinstallation.

Collections in care:

Organizes and maintains storage areas as needed. Assists in the care conservationinstallation and storage of the departmental collection. Under the supervision of Conservation andScience performs minimal tasks including light dusting inspecting the condition of labeling andmeasuring objects; supervises preparation of objects for display including placing mount work artwork and frames and records dimensions in museum database. Assists visiting scholarsstudents and visitors in the safe examination of objects in storage and study areas. Other duties asassigned.

Gallery maintenance:

Performs regular maintenance of galleries including cleaning and dustingplatforms and casework on a daily basis before museum opening hours; checks temperature andhumidity conditions in the galleries and storage areas; places work requests and schedules work withFacilities for the departments related to painting lighting cleaning stanchions casework andmountwork; facilitates work in galleries and storage areas for contractors including pest prevention;installs object labels for the collection and replaces existing labels as needed. Other duties as and security: Ensures all security procedures in the galleries and storage areas includingtemporary removal notices proper securing of objects to walls and mounts and securing of storageareas; responds as needed in case of art gallery or storage emergency.

Training and best practices:

Adheres to training in art handling as provided by museum colleagues;participates in periodic trainings to learn new techniques; and keeps abreast of and offersrecommendations based upon best practices in the field related to safe and secure art handlingmaterials and installation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of two years of experience handling works of artor equivalent experience working

with objectsrequired; ability to lift up to 50 pounds required

Ability to learn museum-specific collection database systems

Familiarity with or specialization in departmental field a plus

The successful candidate should:

ï be highly detail-oriented and organized;

ï demonstrate initiative;

ï embrace the museums commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution;

ï have an open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with

all colleagues across the museum;

ï and have strong communication organizational and multitasking skills.

UNION

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience backgrounds and career paths and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race religion sex sexual orientation gender identity age national origin ancestry veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact the Department of Human Resources at.

Required Experience:

IC