The Davis Museum seeks an Assistant Preparator/Collections Care Specialist, responsible for the care, handling, and display of all artwork in the Museum’s collections, within the Collections Care and Management (CCM) Department and reporting to the Manager of Exhibitions and Collections Preparation. The Assistant Preparator/Collections Care Specialist is responsible for a variety of specialized tasks relating to the installation, de-installation, display, care, handling, and packing of artworks owned by, loaned to, and exhibited at the Museum.

The Assistant Preparator/Collections Care Specialist is an integral member of the CCM team, caring for all permanent collections, managing housing, mount making, matting, and framing. S/he is responsible for the care of objects owned by or loaned to the Museum, and oversees the storage vaults at the museum, including ensuring the safe storage of all objects within the building. This position also provides accessibility to the collections for students, faculty, outside scholars, and the public through the management of the permanent collections exhibition spaces. Supervises student assistants and works collaboratively with outside contractors.

Primary Responsibilities

Collections Care

• Mat, frame, and provide storage housings for artwork.
• Oversee collections vaults, provide for safe storage, packing and movement of all objects
• Provide collections access for faculty, students, and outside scholars.
• Collaborate with the Exhibition Manager and Curator(s) on assigned projects in planning, layout, and logistics.
• Oversee installation of rotating Study Gallery and Print Corridor exhibition spaces, install artwork for permanent collections changes.
• Work with registration staff to monitor gallery environments using hygrothermographs and dataloggers.
• Oversee cleanliness and organization of workshop/loading dock and inventory of tools, materials, and supplies.
• Perform regular maintenance on outdoor sculptures.
• Provide basic training for student assistants and interns in techniques and principles of collections care and management; supervise student workers.
• Assist with annual inventories of collections.

Exhibitions

• Assist with general art handling and installation needs within the museum.
• Collaborate with outside contractors.
• Maintain standards of gallery lighting and manage lighting inventory.
• Provide ongoing support for painting, cleaning, repair and technical needs of museum exhibitions.
• Support light construction of walls and display furniture.
• Produce wall texts, labels and other exhibition didactics.

Position Requirements

• Position requires demonstrated proficiency in handling valuable works of art in a wide variety of media including but not limited to paintings, bronze, ceramic, glass, metals, mixed media, textiles, works on paper, contemporary art and new media.
• Demonstrated proficiency with installation of exhibitions, layout, and lighting design.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to coordinate and implement complex projects, diligence, ability to work independently as well as enthusiasm for team collaboration, flexibility in scheduling, professionalism, collegiality, and informed adherence to best museum practices and standards in the field.
• Also requires physical agility, good vision, ability to lift 50 lbs., and manual dexterity required to move artwork and to operate tools/equipment (genie lifts, pallet jacks, etc.)
• Experience with practices and methods in mount making, and with packing/housing preferred, and demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge with initiative and judgment, concern for detail, accuracy, and neat execution of work.

Skills and Abilities Required

• Skills and knowledge of shop equipment preferred and ability to effectively perform various skilled and semi-skilled tasks, including woodworking, brazing, use of adhesives and fasteners, construction methods, and use of stationary and portable power tools.
• Demonstrated skills and knowledge of archival materials and storage techniques for loaned and museum collection objects required.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team and work collegially with fellow preparators, staff, designers, guest curators, vendors, and the general public.
• Proficiency with design programs such as Adobe InDesign and Illustrator, Google Sketch-up highly desirable and familiarity with computer applications in a multi-platform environment including Microsoft Word and Excel required.
• Experience with TMS preferred.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Exceptional organizational skills; ability to set priorities and adapt as priorities shift, handle multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Displays excellent judgment, while operating in a flexible and professional manner.
• Photography knowledge preferred.
• Success in the position, as an essential member of the Davis team, requires commitment to professionalism, cordial collegiality, and collaboration.
• Other duties as assigned. Overtime may be required as needed.

Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years experience or equivalent combination of training and experience preferably in a museum setting.
• B.A. degree preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in handling valuable works of art in a wide variety of media including but not limited to paintings, bronze, ceramic, glass, metals, mixed media, textiles, works on paper, contemporary art and new media.
• Demonstrated proficiency with installation of exhibitions, layout, and lighting design.
• Ability to move or assist in moving heavy objects (must be able to lift 50 lbs.) and ability to operate genie lifts, pallet jacks, etc.
• Experience with practices and methods in mount making preferred, and demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge with initiative and judgment, concern for detail, accuracy, and neat execution of work.

Application requirements

• Resume and Cover letter
• Names and Contacts for three Professional References

Other:

All employees hired after August 2, 2021 are required to upload proof of vaccination and booster against COVID‐19, subject to approved medical or religious exemptions or disability accommodations.