Reporting to the Head of Registration and Collections, the Head of Preparations serves as a key member of the Art Division in the consistent implementation of the Institutions’ stewardship of the collections and exhibitions program. This position is integral in the planning and implementation of the Institution’s schedule of special exhibitions and permanent collection rotations in the Library, Art Museum, and Botanical galleries. This post holder is responsible to the Head of Exhibitions to maintain a successful exhibitions and permanent collection gallery program. This position will manage a core team of art preparations staff, currently three full-time and nine on-call contract preparators. This position also advises on and assists with the handling, packing, movement, and storage of artworks according to museum standards. This position is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising on-call preparators and contract art handlers. The post holder manages the preparator schedule and all administrative functions related to the Preparations department, including, but not limited to: assigning daily tasks to preparator team; projecting preparator schedule for future projects and exhibitions; creating and managing a departmental budget for on-call hours, trainings, equipment, tools, etc; collaborating with Collections Manager on general supplies budget; managing the preparator budget for exhibitions in coordination with the Head of Exhibition Management, exhibition coordinator and lead registrar. In collaboration with the Collections Manager and Facilities, this position manages the general maintenance of the galleries, collections storage, and preparation spaces coordinating those efforts with Exhibitions, Preservation, and Registration.
Essential Duties
In coordination with registrars, exhibition coordinators, Collections Manager, Preservation, Head of Registration and Collections Management, and Head of Exhibitions Management, the Head of Preparations manages the work of the Preparation department, scheduling prioritized and future activities and effectively disseminating information and details of tasks to the preparator team.
Participates in the planning of special exhibitions: may serve as lead preparator or assigns lead preparator; attends planning meetings; tracks and manages preparator budget; reviews design and construction documents; collaborates and advises on object preparations; confirms and provides exhibition element dimensions when applicable; disseminates information to preparators assigned to project; collaborates with exhibition coordinator, lead preparator, and lead registrar on the development of day-to-day installation and deinstallation schedule; works with the exhibition team of curators, coordinators, designers, A/V personnel, fabricators, registrars, conservators, mount makers, facility and security staff.
Participates in the planning of the installation/de-installation of new acquisitions, permanent collection, and loans rotations and incoming and outgoing loans preparations, with colleagues in the Registration, Exhibitions, Curatorial, Design and Preservation departments.
Works with Collections Manager to assign preparators to gallery cleaning and collections management projects.
Supervises the monitoring and maintenance of special exhibitions and permanent collection galleries are lit, gallery text and labels are in good condition, and all audio-visual components are functioning.
The post holder will supervise art installation, deinstallation, handling and packing, as well as assist with these activities as needed. Duties will include, but are not limited to: receiving, unpacking and, packing artworks; installing artwork; performing carpentry work such as retrofitting crates, making or modifying pedestals, and modifying frames per conservation; spackling and painting; handling artworks on loan and permanent collections; lighting exhibitions; installation of AV equipment, mounting and installing gallery text; hinging, matting, and framing artworks; creating or modifying mounts i.e., book cradles, buildups, slants; orders supplies for projects; and, drive art preparation vehicles to transport art on and off campus, i.e., return loans to local lenders, LAX airport runs. The post holder is responsible for coordinating the maintenance of art vehicles and equipment.
Coordinates hiring of contract art handlers and mount makers with colleagues in Registration and Exhibitions for a variety of projects.
Works with Preservation, Registration and Collections Management colleagues to coordinate transport art between collections storage facilities and galleries, and to off-site locations for framing, photography, conservation, loan return/pickup, etc.
Collaborates with Head of Registration and Collections Management and Security Manager to ensure all preparators are compliant per TSA regulations, when appropriate.
Collaborates with Collections Manager, Head of Registration and Collections Management and Head of Preservation to ensure standard museum procedures for object handling and preparations are followed and conducts regular training sessions. Collaborates with Facilities and Environmental Health & Safety Manager to ensure safety compliance and staff are participating in safety trainings and is a member of the Safety Committee.
Collaborates with colleagues in Collections Management, Registration, Preservation, Security, and Facilities to maintain Emergency Preparedness Plan for collections and loan material.
Additional duties as assigned to include, but not limited to:
Collect, review, and submit biweekly Preparation staff payroll in Workday, for approval by Head of Registration and Collections Management.
Reconcile department budget and charge cards monthly.
Provide budget reports to Head of Exhibitions as requested for special exhibitions and permanent collection projects.
Candidate Requirements and Experience Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in studio art, art history, or a related field, and at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in preparation, construction, collections management, and installation in a museum setting, including at least two (2) years of supervisory and management experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience in a public gallery or museum.
Demonstrated experience in the management of large-scale museum projects such as exhibitions, storage re-locations, large scale sculpture installations.
Experience using heavy equipment, including scissor-lift, gantry, pallet jack, walking forklift, table lift, required. Must have work experience driving a medium-size truck, safe driving record, able to lift 50 pounds.
Museum collection database experience.
Strong budget and project management skills; exceptional organization skills.
Proven supervisory and leadership skills; a solutions-oriented, diplomatic problem solver and true team player.
Compensation & Benefits We provide competitive compensation, generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees including:
Pay Range: $85,000- $90,000 annually.
Medical, Dental, Vision
403(b) retirement plan and matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
Hybrid remote work schedule available for applicable positions
Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays
Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants
Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds
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