Preparator

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, mountmaking 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. 

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• 2+ 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.

The preparator reports to the Chief Preparator and works closely with the registrars and curators as well as with artists,  faculty and other administrators of the museum and college. 

This is a full time (40 hours/week), year-round, regular appointment.  Regular hours are 8:00-4:30, some evening and weekend work is occasionally required.

Application review will begin on December 6, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. Pay ranges from $20 to $26 per hour, commensurate with experience, Job band 19.  Please visit https://staff-careers.williams.edu/ to apply. 

Conditions of Employment

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. COVID-19 vaccination with booster or approved exemption and compliance with COVID-19 related policies are required as a condition of employment at Williams.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.