Museum Preparator at Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University
Job Title: Museum Preparator
Job Status: Full-time
Location: New Brunswick, NJ
Salary: $50,065 – $74,438
Description
Founded in 1966 as the Rutgers University Art Gallery, the Zimmerli Art Museum is located on the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, one of the United States’ highest-ranked, most diverse public universities. With a permanent collection of more than 60,000 objects and an active program of changing exhibitions, the Zimmerli plays a dynamic part in the academic and cultural life of Rutgers and central New Jersey. The Zimmerli is free and open to the public, and offers an array of in-person and digital opportunities to engage with art of the past and the present. As part of the beloved community of Rutgers University, the Zimmerli Art Museum is committed to upholding diversity, equity, access, and inclusion as guiding principles for the museum’s operations, exhibitions, collecting, programming, and outreach.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Museum Preparator for the Zimmerli Art Museum. This position plays a key role in the preparation of works for exhibitions at the Museum.
Among the key duties of the position are the following:
- Matting and framing for exhibitions and permanent collection, assists in locating works of art in storage. Responsible for the matting and framing of all works on paper including both acquisitions and exhibitions. Prepares new acquisitions for safe storage, matting and framing as needed or creating archival storage enclosures. Pulls works from the permanent collection, mat and frames works on paper or otherwise prepares them for exhibition.
- Unframing and refiling exhibitions and permanent collection. Unframes works on paper that have been on exhibition and refiles them in storage. Files new acquisitions and assists in retrieving works on paper that have been requested by curators, registrars, and scholars. Communicates location changes to the registrars.
- Preparation of labels and signs; installation of exhibition cases. Prepares all exhibition labels and most of the smaller didactic labels. Installs works on paper, books, and journals in exhibition cases, creating cradles and mounts as needed.
- Basic conservation procedures as needed. Performs basic conservation on works on paper to stabilize them for storage or prepare them for exhibition. This includes hinging, mending tears and flattening, as well as simple conservation to remove art from harmful housing. Performs general exhibition housekeeping monthly or as needed in the galleries.
- Prepares budget, orders preparation supplies and frames. Prepares a yearly budget and orders preparation supplies. Estimates costs and orders frames and plexi or glass for in-house exhibitions and loans from the collection. Works on requisitions and purchase orders in MarketPlace.
The Preparator assesses and prioritizes work as set by exhibition deadlines. Decisions as to the best storage method for each artwork is necessary. Guidance from supervisor is sought when needed.
Daily contact with curatorial and non-curatorial staff regarding requests for works on paper, planning future and present installations. Must be patient, flexible, and courteous. Must communicate effectively and respectfully.
Requirements
Minimum Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in fine arts or related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or related experience.
- Must have experience matting and framing works on paper.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Must have experience matting and framing works on paper.
- Experience in the proper handling of artworks, matting, and framing works on paper.
- General knowledge of matting and framing a variety of works on paper mediums.
- Ability to work independently and in a timely manner.
- Familiarity with museum quality matting and framing.
- Strong manual dexterity and attention to detail.
- Ability to do basic math, especially with measurements.
- Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced museum environment while maintaining professional standards.
For further details and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/230427