Art Preparator

The Warhol is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, and a collaborative project between Carnegie Institute, Dia Art Foundation, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Plans to house The Warhol in Pittsburgh were announced in 1989, and the museum opened its doors during a 24-hour celebration on May 13, 1994. Originally built in 1911 as a distribution center for products sold to mills and mines, The Warhol was redesigned by architect Richard Gluckman and features seven floors of gallery and exhibition space as well as an underground level that houses The Factory education studio and the conservation lab. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
 

This Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh’s many Benefits. 

Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.

This is a union position.

The Art Preparator is responsible for the handling of works of art both in the permanent collection and on loan; tasks include movement, installation, deinstallation, packing and un-packing, storage of objects, carpentry, framing, lighting, and maintenance of gallery spaces and storage areas. Art Preparators at the Warhol Museum also act as Couriers and are responsible for the safe transport of Artwork from the collection to venues domestic and foreign. The person who holds this position performs a critical role with the museum and collection by insuring the safe handling and movement of all types of works of art.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in studio art or architecture or related work experience in exhibition installation and preparation is preferred; High school Diploma or equivalent necessary.
• Related work experience in carpentry, graphics, matting and framing, art handling and installation preferred.
• Must have valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
• Hand and power tools of varying size and complexity; small moving truck, hydraulic lifts, and dollies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must be highly organized, self-directed, dependable, and careful, with good interpersonal communication skills.
• Must also be familiar with museum standards for conservation, preservation, and object handling.
• Must be able to undertake long- and short-term travel as necessary. Some evenings and weekend hours may be required.
• Knowledge of art handling techniques and safety procedures and the ability to tend to progressive responsibilities working with and handling high-value museum objects in a variety of media is required.
• Basic woodworking skills and knowledge of hand and power tools required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have good dexterity, hand eye coordination, and the ability to climb and work on ladders for extended periods of time, reach, stretch, and stoop, work with hands above shoulder level, lift heavy objects (50 pounds), and stand or walk for long periods of time.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Work with Director of Exhibitions and Exhibitions Coordinator to facilitate the installation and de-installation of exhibitions and packing and shipping of loans. Meet weekly with Exhibitions Coordinator and Registrars to compile an ongoing work schedule.
• Works professionally and cooperatively with all installation personnel and other employees, contractors, artists, and couriers.
• Follows all art-handling protocols and procedures as instructed by the Director of Exhibitions and Registrar.
• Understands and adheres to all security rules and guidelines of the Andy Warhol Museum and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, as well as regulations stipulated by such agencies as OSHA, TSA, and DHS
• Install and deinstall permanent collection and temporary exhibitions as needed. Under the direction of the Director of Exhibitions, in conjunction with the Exhibitions Coordinator and Curator, moves, hangs, and positions exhibition casework and works of art of varying sizes, media, and fragility in such fashion as to ensure maximum security and safety.
• Assists with fabricating or finishing items needed for installation, including plinths, pedestals, cleats, hanging brackets, risers, cable hangers, and temporary walls or dividers.
• Promptly informs supervisor and registrar regarding objects with condition concerns or of damaged objects and follows collections management documentation procedures. Install and adjust fixtures to light works of art; replace fixtures as needed.
• Using proper carts and supplies, moves objects in museum galleries, storage, and preparation areas as directed for exhibition, acquisition, loan, photography, and conservation.
• Takes care to stow objects efficiently. Supports, stabilizes, and covers artworks on carts, tables, shelves, and pallets. Ensures location changes are recorded and provided to registrar.
• Prepares works of art to be examined by Conservators.
• Produce and attach signs using graphic techniques such as hand-lettering and transferring onto various surfaces.
• Produce and attach computer-generated labels. Mounts, attaches hanging hardware, and installs exhibition signage and labels inside museum
• Mat and un-mat, and frame and un-frame works of art on paper. Stretch and frame paintings; attach backing boards.
• Construct or repair frames as necessary.
• Construct standard boxes, cartons, and crates for shipping as directed by Exhibitions Coordinator. Wraps and pads works of art with paper, plastic, foam or other materials as directed to protect against vibration, moisture, or impact; shapes and contours internal packing to ensure proper support during movement.
• Places art works in boxes, containers, or crates manually or using hoist. Responsible for securing containers with screws, bolts, tape, nails, or metal bands, and moving to receiving dock.
• Load and unload art and archives shipment trucks.
• Drive Carnegie Museum of Art truck to deliver or pick up works of art, archives collection materials, or supplies, as necessary.
• Track locations of art collection objects and communicate this information to Registrar and Exhibitions Coordinator.
• Return works of art to their correct locations in storage to ensure safety of works of art. Monitor orderliness of workspaces to facilitate multiple uses and users.
• Perform routine maintenance of exhibition galleries, including cleaning glass, dusting, and removing smudges and fingerprints from cases and walls; carefully spackles holes in gallery walls and applies touchup paint to walls and exhibition furniture, ensuring the safety of artwork and building finishes at all times.
• Responsible for operation of workshop; maintain equipment and tools in a safe and sound operating condition; make minor repairs as necessary. With Exhibitions Coordinator, order and stock installation and packing supplies to allow for the timely and efficient completion of tasks.
• Responsible for maintaining safe, clean, and orderly work and supply storage areas on a daily basis.
• Provide Exhibitions Coordinator and Director of Exhibitions with information relating to upcoming purchases and expenditures.
• Maintain a high awareness of preservation and conservation issues in the handling and storage of works of art.
• Maintain list of crates and exhibit materials kept off-site.
• Acts as courier for artwork when required within the U.S. and overseas.
• Follow the museums specified practices and procedures for undertaking courier duties. Also assists in the pick-up and delivery of art objects outside the museum, and with the receiving of art shipments within the museum.
• Works overtime as necessary, understanding that as much advance notice will be given as possible by supervisors.
• Performs other various duties, as requested, by supervisor.

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.   

*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.  An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job.  When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below.  Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive.  If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function?  The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often?  Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential.  G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it?  If so, it is more likely to be essential.