What are the responsibilities and job description for the Preparator position at Williams College?
The Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) provides dynamic art experiences to inspire new thinking about art, museums, and the world—and it does so from within the nation’s top-ranked liberal arts college. A vibrant center
for the arts at Williams, the Museum embodies the liberal arts’ ability to catalyze both creative and critical thinking.
WCMA is seeking a skilled contributor to the art preparation team. The preparator assists in all aspects of object care for temporary exhibitions and in the maintenance of the permanent collection. The preparator will be familiar
with and adhere to current professional standards for collection management and the archival care of art objects both on display and in storage. They will be familiar with all aspects of gallery installation including matting and
framing, light carpentry, display fabrication, mount making and lighting. The preparator must also be familiar with current digital technologies used in exhibitions including those required for video, film, and sound installations. The
preparator will maintain clean, efficient, and organized storage areas and workspaces. Proactive participation in professional development, day-to-day initiative, and creative problem solving are essential to this position, as well
as a knowledge of current best practices in art handling, collections care, conservation, and installation.
Williams is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its staff. The successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity,
socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion. Applicants should highlight relevant experience working with and supporting a broadly diverse employee community.
Primary duties and responsibilities include:
Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service.
Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at hr@williams.edu.
for the arts at Williams, the Museum embodies the liberal arts’ ability to catalyze both creative and critical thinking.
WCMA is seeking a skilled contributor to the art preparation team. The preparator assists in all aspects of object care for temporary exhibitions and in the maintenance of the permanent collection. The preparator will be familiar
with and adhere to current professional standards for collection management and the archival care of art objects both on display and in storage. They will be familiar with all aspects of gallery installation including matting and
framing, light carpentry, display fabrication, mount making and lighting. The preparator must also be familiar with current digital technologies used in exhibitions including those required for video, film, and sound installations. The
preparator will maintain clean, efficient, and organized storage areas and workspaces. Proactive participation in professional development, day-to-day initiative, and creative problem solving are essential to this position, as well
as a knowledge of current best practices in art handling, collections care, conservation, and installation.
Williams is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its staff. The successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity,
socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion. Applicants should highlight relevant experience working with and supporting a broadly diverse employee community.
Primary duties and responsibilities include:
- Install and de-install exhibitions
- Safely move art through museum collection spaces and determine archival housing solutions for individual works
- Prepare two-dimensional work for safe exhibition, storage, and travel: matting, framing, hinging, and packing
- Prepare gallery spaces for exhibitions: light carpentry; fabrication of display furniture; wall preparation and painting
- Light galleries in consultation with curators and registrar
- Fabricate exhibition furniture, crates and temporary exhibition features.
- Pack and unpack artwork from the permanent collection and on loan from other institutions
- Maintain general upkeep of the museum galleries and collection spaces.
- 3 years of professional experience in a gallery or museum
- Experience with handling artwork in a museum setting and a strong working knowledge of current, conservation-approved methods and materials.
- Awareness of aesthetics of exhibition design
- Ability to do physical work including carpentry, interior painting, lifting more than 50 lbs. standing for extended periods of time, moving objects, and working at heights
- Experience with gallery lighting, digital media technologies, and a familiarity with a range of audio-visual equipment and appropriate methods of installation
- Flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to work collaboratively to bring the concepts of curators and artists to fruition.
- Ability to drive a cargo van and operate both high lifts and powered industrial trucks.
Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service.
Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at hr@williams.edu.
Salary : $25
