Reports To: Director of Collections
Supervises: N/A
General Purpose:
The Lead Art Handler is responsible for all aspects of museum exhibition preparation, installation, transportation and oversight of safe handling of the storage. This includes, but is not limited to the housing, movement, and exhibition logistics of artworks at all 21c Museums and the associated storage facility. The position requires a broad variety of experience, flexibility, and demonstrable hands-on abilities with a range of tasks. Exhibition-related tasks include proper art handling, installation and de-installation. In collaboration with the entire museum team, the Lead Art Handler acts as a custodian for collection and loaned objects. Under the directive of the Director of Collections, the Lead Art Handler assists with collection work including art packing and unpacking, assembly and disassembly of artworks, preparing works for exhibition, shipping and receiving, and other collection-related projects. Must be willing to travel to install and deinstall exhibitions for duration ranging from 1-2 days to 2 weeks, multiple times a year. Position also requires driving heavy-duty trucks over long distances and occasional work on weekends and evenings, as necessary.
Responsibilities
- Onboards and advises permanent and temporary art handlers/contractors, and works alongside them, in the preparation, packing, installation and de-installation of artworks.
- Reinforces proper art handling procedures for two- and three-dimensional art objects in a variety of materials, sizes, and weights.
- Prepare for upcoming changeouts by pulling and organizing outgoing crates/packs, creating and reviewing truck lists, putting away empty packs/crates upon return, and assist with lighting and vinyl installation.
- Works with the Director of Collections to assist with the development of the departmental budget, and assist in the development of art storage layout and housing project budgets.
- Works with the Chief Curator, Senior Director of Museum Operations, and Director of Collections on planning, installation, and maintenance of temporary and permanent art projects.
- Assess and source project needs as required, including manpower and materials.
- Construction of packs/crates based on needs of individual works. Work with Director of Collections and Design Preparator to determine proper packing materials and requirements.
- Assist in the retrofitting of previously constructed crates and the construction of new slat crates.
- Assess condition and test artworks prior to exhibitions.
- Provide technical support for artworks with time-based media components.
- Working under the guidance of the Director of Collections, update, format, and maintain object locations within art storage, including creation and application of crate labels and bar-coding system.
- Communicate efficiently and effectively with museum team.
- Maintain and keep inventory of the museum’s tools, hardware, and other equipment.
- Organize and maintain art storage.