PREPARATOR

Reports to:Installation Director

Employment Status:Part-Time

FLSA Status:Non-Exempt

Hourly:$25.00

Work Schedule for the following Dates only:January 6 through 24, 2025

May 5 through 16, 2025

June 2 through 20, 2025

September 8 through 19, 2025

October 13 through 31, 2025

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Perform operations, collections, installations, and exhibition tasks as assigned by Installation Director and by Collections and Exhibition Director.
  • Assist with the packing/unpacking, logging, preparation, and installation/de-installation of artwork.
  • Assist with the cleaning, repair, and repositioning of artwork as directed by Installation Director and by Collections and Exhibition Director.
  • Support the transporting of crated artwork through exhibition spaces, hallways, elevators, and loading docks, including the safe and secure loading/unloading of vehicles.
  • Support the placement and adjustment of lights per the direction of Installation Director and by Collections and Exhibition Director.
  • Assist with other art-handling, installation and de-installation tasks as needed and assigned.
  • Assist with the preparation, fabrication, and finishing of Museum-specific objects and installations.
  • Install and de-install pedestals, kickbases, freestanding and wall mounted vitrines, exhibition furniture, and one-of-a-kind artist-driven constructions.
  • Install and de-install exhibition graphics and treatments.
  • Perform basic cutting using contractor-style table saws and/or sliding table saws, sliding compound miter saws and abrasion disc chop saws, light-duty routers, and angle grinders; basic boring using drill presses, handheld drills and drivers, rotary hammer drills, specialty bits and anchors, etc., and basic assemblies.
  • Read and understand technical drawings and installation instructions.
  • Prepare exhibition spaces and furniture for artwork, including patching, painting, running cables, and cleaning.
  • In conjunction with Chief Curator, CEO and Director, Assistant Curator, and Exhibition Curators, assist with the design and layout of exhibitions, including the creation of exhibition mock-ups using exhibition design software.

Qualifications

  • Work well as a team member and interact with a wide variety of staff and non-museum personnel.
  • Safely and carefully handle all objects placed within the museum’s care, using best practices.
  • Receive, release, load, and unload shipments of art as assigned.
  • Work in a precise and careful manner under stringent deadlines.
  • Display creativity in solving technical problems and flexibility in adapting to unusual circumstances.
  • Comply with safety standards on all equipment use.
  • Help to foster a collegial and collaborative work environment.
  • Maintain workspaces, gallery spaces, and artworks on display according to standards set by Collections and Exhibition Director, Registrar, and Installation Director.
  • Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.

Desired Skills

  • Experience with Microsoft Office, Adobe CS, TMS, Sketchup and/or other relevant exhibition design software.
  • Proficient with various fabrication, carpentry and construction techniques, and gallery lighting.
  • Capable of using forklifts, aerial lifts and other motorized equipment.
  • Knowledge of contemporary art.

Physical Demands

  • Ability to work on feet for extended periods of time.
  • Climb up and down stairs and ladders and comfortably work at elevations.
  • Reach above and below shoulder height.
  • Bend, stoop, reach, lift, and climb to move materials.
  • Lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to visually inspect work. Specific visual abilities include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Operate manually controlled equipment and safely handle works of art.

Apply

  • Please submit cover letter and resume to Vickie Byrd, Chief Human Resources Officer, vbyrd@ocma.art.

Disclaimer

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described above, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer.