This post is expired. Click here to search for more listings.
About the Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Founded in 1862 as The Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery is the sixth-oldest art museum in the United States and one of the oldest anywhere dedicated to modern and contemporary art. As one of the most prominent cultural institutions in Western New York, the Albright-Knox serves tens of thousands of students, families, tourists, and art lovers each year.
In 2019, the museum broke ground on a transformative campus development and expansion project. Upon completion of construction, the museum will open in 2023 as the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. At the same time, the museum has been engaged in a wholesale reevaluation of its institutional identity, with a particular focus on making the Buffalo AKG a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible institution.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Art Preparator is responsible for the handling and movement of any artwork at the Museum’s Elmwood campus, Offsite Storage Facility, and special project locations, as needed. They work closely with the Registrar, Curatorial, and Facilities Departments to ensure the timely installation of special and collection-based exhibitions. The Preparator is responsible for assisting in the receiving and installation of special exhibitions, including projects organized in-house as well as those contracted from other institutions. The Lighting Technician is also responsible for maintaining the lighting system for the Museum and preparing specialized lighting for exhibitions.
Responsibilities
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversees all aspects of handling and movement of the artwork within the building
Serves as an integral team member, by teaching proper processes, techniques, and materials to Part-time handlers
Works with Full-time, Part-time handlers, and Registrars when executing collection and exhibition-based projects
Responsible for keeping up to date in the ways in which to safely handle and properly display works of art in all media
Responsible for the safe and organized storage of all art objects in the Permanent Collection, which includes moving, packing, unpacking, receiving, installing, de-installing, and their receipt and release, as needed
Maintains a proper up-to-date inventory of any movement of the art with the Registrars
Aids with the physical organization and maintenance of the Museum in partnership with the Facilities Department, including weekly gallery maintenance procedures
Transports, often with a team, works of art from the Museum to the Offsite Storage Facility
Assists in the transport of non-art objects such as empty crates, tools, and materials from the Museum’s main campus to the Offsite Storage Facility
Responsible for the lighting of all artworks within exhibition and collection gallery spaces
Works in tandem with Curatorial, Registration, and Facilities Departments on specialized lighting needs as they relate to specific works of art on view
Installs, removes and adjusts lighting
Inspects, replaces, and re-wires fixtures
Monitors proper and safe light levels throughout gallery spaces
Maintains an accurate inventory of lighting supplies
As appropriate, acts as courier for objects in the Collection when on loan to other institutions
Often collaborates with the Public Art team to assists on special projects as needed
Facilitates internal communication by participating in team meetings and sharing knowledge, skills, and experience with co-workers
Assists the staff and outside researchers requiring access to works in the Permanent Collection
Maintains a consistent flow of productivity and efficiency
Participates in opportunities to advance professional growth
Performs other duties as emergent situations require
Requirements
Education and Experience:
Two years plus experience in a museum, gallery, or appropriate fine art services setting
Two years plus experience lighting artworks in accordance with museum standards
Excellent art installation and art handling skills
Applicable experience in the preparation of art objects for exhibition and loan
Proficient in Microsoft Suite of products
Skills/Abilities/Competencies:
Proven ability to work effectively and dynamically in team setting
A highly collaborative approach, with excellent communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and successful problem-solving abilities
Solid organizational skills, demonstrating attention to detail and effective time management
Demonstrated sound judgment in decision making
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and in emergent situations
Valid driver’s license to transport art to and from the Museum’s Offsite Storage Facility (US Passport and/or/enhanced license for Canadian travel)
Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds
Ability to use varied hand tools
Knowledge of art processes and materials
Ability to ascend and descend ladders and lifts, as well as work from them when installing, maintaining, or deinstalling artworks on loan or in the Permanent Collection
Working comprehension of lighting filters, gels, lenses, fixtures, canisters and lamps
Familiarity with current museum standards for lighting works of art
Ability to read light meter levels and assess lighting quality
Comfortable working from heights
Ability to operate scissor and mechanical personnel lifts
Additional requirements
Experience with tracking, rigging, crating, lifts, and other specialized equipment preferred
Thorough understanding of new lumen technologies
Previous experience in framing, woodworking, metalworking, or construction helpful