Preparator

The Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture at the School of Human Ecology is seeking applicants with a minimum of three years of post-baccalaureate work experience in art handling and installation in a museum or gallery setting.

The Preparatorisa key role at the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture (the center) that leads technical aspects of the centers exhibitions. This position reports to the Engagement Manager for Exhibitions and Programs and works closely with the Collections Manager guest curators and student hourly Exhibition Prep Assistants. The Preparatoris responsible forthe physical and logistical aspects of exhibition fabrication including collaborating on exhibition designplanningand implementing production workflow exhibition installation and lighting and gallery maintenance. The Preparatoris responsible forspecialized object handling and the fabrication of mounts for objects in the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection and objects on loan to the center for exhibition in the Ruth Davis Design Gallery and Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery.

The Preparator is also responsible for the care and organization of the galleries workspace and resources including specialized equipment gallery display furniture and material and supply inventory and orders.This includes the ability tomaintaina clean organized and safe work environment ensuring proper shop upkeep gallery maintenance and cleaning and the orderly inventory and storage of gallery furniture tools and supplies.

In addition the Preparator mustdemonstratethe ability to contribute positively to a small team environment and to both give and receive constructive feedback and direction fostering a collaborative and respectful working atmosphere across all exhibition and program activities.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The work performed in this position requires the following physical abilities and environmental conditions:

• Ability to climb laddersand work safely at various heights within gallery exhibition and workshop spaces.

• Ability to lift carry push and pullobjects equipment and materials weighing up to30 pounds.

• Ability to squat bend reach and performphysical tasks associated with the preparation installation maintenance and deinstallation of exhibitions.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periodswhile handling transporting and installing artworks and display components safely and efficiently.

• Work is performedin museumgallery and workshop environments that require adherence toestablishedsafety and operational procedures.

• The position involves regular interaction withdelicate artworks exhibition materials and specialized tools and equipment as well as participation inshop maintenance and workspace organization.

• Responsibilities includemaintaininga clean organized and safe workspace including the care and storage of tools equipment and materials used in fabrication and installation.

• The role may occasionally requireworkoutside standard business hoursto meet exhibition schedules and deadlines.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)and safety training are provided andasappropriate tothe tasks being performed.

Work Schedule:

Typical schedulemay beMonday through Friday8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. including a 30-minute unpaid lunchbreakthese hours may be flexible. Finalschedule will bedeterminedwith the final candidateattimeofhire.Occasional evening and weekend hours may beto meet gallery installation and event schedules.

Driver Authorization:

A valid drivers license isfor this position. The selected candidate must completeDriver Authorizationthrough UWMadison prior tooperatingany university vehicle.Additionalinformation is available atUWMadison Driver Authorization and Insurance.

This position isanticipatedto start onJanuary 11 2026.Final determination ofstartdate will be made at time of hire

School of Human Ecology Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture:

TheNancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture is the primary destination for the multi-disciplinary study of material culture and design at the University of WisconsinMadison. The center focuses on the study of textiles material culture and design and is a hub for innovative programs that engage local national and international audiences. The Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection the Ruth Davis Design Gallery and the Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery support the work of the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture. See

The starting salary for this position is $26.25/hr. Finalsalary will bedeterminedat time of hire based on experience and qualifications of the final candidate.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation holidays and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review thesummary of benefitsfor more information.

• A strong background in fabrication with skills in carpentry painting and using power tools anddemonstratedhand skills and experience making museum quality mounts usingappropriate archivalmaterials (fabric foam acrylic archival board wood etc.)

• Experience with at least one aspect of the centers tripartite focus on material culture textiles and design

• Demonstrated knowledge of professional museum collection care and object handling procedures

• Experience supporting exhibition design and consulting with designers and curators to plan and realize technical aspects of exhibitions

• Experience managing multiple projects and competing deadlines concurrently including developing and implementing time-sensitive workflows for fabrication gallery preparation and installation

• Valid drivers license

• Experience with museum loan protocols including packing unpacking condition reporting and coordination with lenders

• Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral properties of fabric and textiles as relevant to both mount making and preparing textile artifacts for display

• Knowledge of historical objects and skills for working with them

• Demonstrated ability to train and supervise others; willingness to teach preparator skills and tasks to student hourly employees

Click the Apply button to start the application process.

You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

-Resume

-Cover Letter

-Portfolio

Applicants should attach aresume cover letter and aportfoliodetailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials todeterminewhich qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process.

Interviews will includea technical interview related to the job responsibilities of this position.

The search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify selected applicants toparticipatefurther in the selectionprocess directly. References will be requestedoffinal candidates. All applicants will be notified after the search iscompleteand a candidate has been selected.

Applicants for this position will be considered for the titles of Preparator I and Preparator II.The title isdeterminedby the experience and qualifications of the finalist.Pay will becommensuratewith experience.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States a lawful permanent resident a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.