Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Preparator

Primary Function: The Preparator reports to the Director of Registration and Exhibition Management. The Preparator will have particular responsibility for the deinstallation, reinstallation, handling, movement, and packing of objects and collection materials on all locations of the Barnes Foundation, offsite storage, and Calder Gardens. They will participate in the planning, installation and deinstallation of temporary special exhibitions and displays. The Preparator will work with the conservation team on preventive conservation duties, such as collections housekeeping, monitoring of collection contacts, and relamping of lights in collection areas. They will participate as a member of the Collections and Exhibitions division under the direction of the Vice President of Art and Education and Gund Family Chief Curator. 

Job Qualifications 

  • BA or BFA with at least three years’ experience art handling within, or for, museums and cultural institutions
  • Experience with safety precautions necessary for using power tools
  • Familiarity with exhibition lighting 
  • Experience with constructing and finishing display objects such as pedestals and temporary exhibition furniture
  • Ability to work well with others as well as to work independently
  • Capacity to manage deadlines
  • Experience using Microsoft Office programs for documents, email, calendars, and meetings
  • Experience with collections management databases, especially Gallery System’s, The Museum System (TMS), highly desirable 
  • Must be able to perform work duties at all three campuses of the Barnes Foundation including Merion, Philadelphia, and Chester County (Ker-Feal), as necessary

Clearances: 

  • Criminal Background-National
  • MVR Driving Record

Physical Activities to Perform Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Moving:  Ability to stand and walk for 8-hour shifts with minimal rest breaks. 

Physical Requirements: Physically capable of lifting objects weighing up to 80 pounds; physically capable of moving objects weighing up to 150 pounds; and physically capable of climbing ladders up to 20 feet and working on scaffolding and lifts of at least 30 feet; physically capable of using hand tools such as drills, hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches; physically capable of using power tools such as table and band saws. 

Vision Requirements: Some computer use. Ability to see and ascertain the condition of collection objects as they are being handled.

Hearing Requirements: Telephone use; ability to hear instructions as an object is being handled and moved

Communication Requirements: Clearly communicate in person, by phone, and by video conference. Communicate with others in conversational and written English. 

Working Conditions: Position operates in the foundation’s buildings and on the foundation’s grounds at the Philadelphia campus and other locations including offsite storage. Position requires some time on the computer. May encounter dust in the handling of artwork and in the manufacture of packing cases and exhibition materials in wood shop area.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Demonstrates excellent understanding and judgment in the handling and conveyance of collection and loan objects as it relates to the condition, media, placement, and weight of objects. 
  • Utilizes excellent verbal and written communication skills to maintain contact with both staff and contract art handling staff, contract and staff conservators, and registration and security department as work(s) of art are being moved.
  • Demonstrates excellent hand skills and basic carpentry skills.
  • Performs art handling of collection objects as requested and as approved by Registration and/or Conservation; to include activities such as unframing and reframing of paintings and works on paper as required for conservation or photography, securing new hardware to frames, removal of objects from display cases and/or mounts, and the set-up and dismantling of scaffolding and ladders may be required. 
  • Prepares workspace for contract and staff conservators and for contract photographers including worktables, chairs, lighting, tools, and art handling conveyances.
  • Reports any damage that may occur during handling, or any damage that may be noted prior to handling, to Registration and the Senior Director of Conservation; preparation of Object Incident Report as required. 
  • In cooperation with Registration, receives, uncrates, unwraps, installs, and de-installs and prepares objects for return shipment to other institutions or private collections for special exhibitions, as requested.
  • The preparator is responsible for the packing of collection objects and materials on all campuses of the Barnes Foundation, Calder Gardens and offsite storage.
  • Participates in collections staff monitoring of gallery collections with gallery checks and walkthroughs to monitor collection contacts and environmental conditions.
  • Works with the Senior Conservation Coordinator on collections housekeeping, including weekly, monthly and annual tasks. 
  • Keeps collection storage areas maintained.
  • Assists in the research, maintenance, and ordering of supplies and equipment for preparation.
  • Assists in the ongoing education of Barnes Foundation staff, contract conservation staff, and interns on the basics of art handling; participates in presentations to staff, as requested.
  • Stays abreast of the field by conferring with colleagues and attending conferences as funding permits.
  • Prepares weekly reports for the Director of Registration and Exhibition Management.
  • Maintains a safe and professional workspace.
  • Performs other duties as requested. 

Organization-Wide Competencies:

1. Accountability: 

a. Prepares for work assignments and meetings, 

b. Conducts thorough fact-finding, decision-making and/or follow through, 

c. Admits mistakes and errors and informs others when one is not able to meet a commitment. 

2. Job Quality: 

a. Dependably demonstrates job knowledge necessary for the position,

b. Produces timely, accurate, high quality work output, 

c. Prioritizes work responsibilities effectively and produces work quantity expected for the role. 

3. Service: 

a. Identifies problems and collaborate with others to devise and create effective solutions. 

b. Interacts and communicates with fellow employees in a manner that promotes a harmonious and

 cooperative working environment in accordance with our Core Values. 

c. Facilitates open communication and keeps an open mind about new ideas. 

4. Leadership: 

a. Sets a good example for others, 

b. Demonstrates ethical decision-making and communication, 

c. Makes decisions. Uses a solution-oriented, collaborative approach. 

5. Collaboration: 

a. Seeks win-win outcomes in decision-making, 

b. Shows a proactive, inclusive, helpful, and respectful attitude to colleagues, guests and others, 

c. Takes initiative to contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. 

The Preparator reports to the Director of Registration and Exhibition Management. The Preparator will have particular responsibility for the deinstallation, reinstallation, handling, movement, and packing of objects and collection materials on all locations of the Barnes Foundation, offsite storage, and Calder Gardens. They will participate in the planning, installation and deinstallation of temporary special exhibitions and displays. The Preparator will work with the conservation team on preventive conservation duties, such as collections housekeeping, monitoring of collection contacts, and relamping of lights in collection areas. They will participate as a member of the Collections and Exhibitions division under the direction of the Vice President of Art and Education and Gund Family Chief Curator.