Associate Preparator at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in Houston, TX

Role Summary

The Associate Preparator will ensure the professional, safe and timely preparation, care and handling of works of art (multiple forms) for display, exhibition and transport.

Responsibilities:

Handles, installs, packs, and unpacks artwork at all museum buildings locations
Installs/deinstalls artwork for temporary exhibitions and rotations
Transports artwork in the museum truck between campus buildings
Gallery maintenance of art pedestals, vitrines, and casework
Maintains organization of artwork in museum storage areas
Maintains organization and cleanliness of art preparation areas, tools, and equipment
Records accurate location changes when artwork is moved within museum buildings, galleries, and storage areas
Assists with photography set-up and conservation as needed
Represents MFAH at other institutions as a courier for installation, transport or exhibition research
Assists at Rienzi and Bayou Bend house museums as needed
Organizes installations as assigned
Assists conservation with outdoor sculpture maintenance
Loads/unloads art crates from trucks as assigned

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Advanced experience and knowledge of art handling, packing and installation practices
Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly so that installations function smoothly and uninterrupted.
Capacity to work on both individual, unsupervised projects and as a member of a crew in which teamwork is essential.
Solid experience using hand and power tools
Experience driving box truck – valid driver’s license required
Must be able to lift (with a partner) 75 lbs or more and able to perform a variety of physical tasks involving lifting, bending, stooping and moving large items (including furniture)
Working knowledge of and experience with various packing methods suitable to a wide range of media combined with a working knowledge of and experience with installation methods suitable to that same wide range of media
Ability to work professionally and responsibly with all other areas within the museum
High degree of time and resource management skills with the ability to work under time and deadline requirements and prioritize to meet those expectations.
Weekend and evening availability as required by exhibition schedules

Education and Experience:

5+ years’ art handling experience
Demonstrated knowledge of the principals and practices of art museum collection care, and exhibition and display, design and construction.
Bachelor's degree in a related field OR any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Preferred Candidate’s Experience:

Experience in mount making, matting and framing.
Fine Arts background

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600+ employees and 1,000+ docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70,000 works of art in a wide range of media.

Work will be performed in varied and wide-ranging environments and conditions. Work may occur both indoors and outdoors throughout the campus as well as off-site locations
Position may require standing for prolonged periods, walking, climbing, bending and stretching, and enough physical strength to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds unassisted or 75 lbs assisted

Work and Culture at the MFAH - Benefits Offered

Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance
Life and Long Term Disability Insurance
MFAH Retirement Savings Plan (403b)
Flexible Spending Plans
Paid Time Off, Reserve Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, Holiday Pay
Museum Membership and retail store discounts
On campus restaurant discounts

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and to our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org