Job Description
The ASU Art Museum is searching for a Preparator/Curatorial Museum Specialist who communicates effectively and works closely with a wide range of museum staff members, diverse artists and university community members to implement an ambitious exhibition schedule focused on contemporary art and care for a collection of 12,000 objects. Assists in museum collection management including storage, object handling and care; plans and implements the design, fabrication, installation and deinstallation of temporary and permanent museum exhibitions. Supervises student workers and contract preparators, and reports to the Chief Preparator.
Working Environment
- Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled museum setting and in standard shop environments.
- Moderate exposure to vapors, fumes, dirt, noise, mechanical and electrical hazards associated with exhibition construction and preparation; frequently work in warehouse and storage facilities to transport, arrange and care for collection items.
- Occasional exposure to adverse weather conditions when installing exhibits outdoors.
- Required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work.
- Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling.
- Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts.
- Ability to clearly communicate to perform essential functions
Background Check Statement
ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Museum Studies, Art, or related field AND one year museum curatorial and/or registration experience; OR, five years museum curatorial and/or registration experience; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Department Statement
The Herberger Institute comprises the School of Art; School of Arts, Media and Engineering; The Sidney Poitier New American Film School; School of Music, Dance and Theatre; The Design School; and the ASU Art Museum. With 130 degree and certificate options, and programs ranked top 20 in art, design, music, theatre, digital culture, film, dance and more, plus a top university art museum, a leading immersive media facility, and national and international partnerships, the Herberger Institute is a powerhouse of art, culture and design.
The vision of the Herberger Institute is to advance the New American University by embedding designers, artists and arts-based inquiry at its core and throughout the communities it serves locally, nationally and internationally. With over 5,399 students, over 500 faculty members, and 130 program options, the Herberger Institute is committed to redefining the 21st-century design and arts school.
As part of Arizona State University, the most innovative university in the nation, the Herberger Institute seeks to drive and scale new ways for arts and design to have impact in our world. We invite you to join our work.
Values:
Creativity as a core 21st-century competency
Design and the arts as critical resources for transforming our society
Innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship
Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and research
Social embeddedness
Projecting all voices
Excellence
https://herbergerinstitute.asu.edu/
Why work @ASU – https://cfo.asu.edu/why-work-asu
Total compensation at ASU is defined as more than the salary paid for the valuable work performed to support the success of our ASU students. It includes:
Salary and wages paid
Comprehensive package of affordable benefit plans and programs
Access to world-class educational opportunities at deeply discounted rates
ASU’s total compensation estimator shows the approximate value of your overall compensation
ASU is a diverse enterprise with a wide variety of work and learning modes, locations and a commitment to sustainability, innovation and employee work-life balance. We are determined to maintain our position as an employer of choice in a competitive labor market.
Flexible work options
Alternative work schedules can include four, 10-hour workdays in a workweek; a nine-day, 80-hour schedule over two workweeks for exempt employees only; and staggered start and stop times.
Hybrid work is an arrangement where employees spend a minimum of 60% of their regular workweek at their primary ASU work location. Dean or vice president-level approval is required.
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated knowledge and skill in museum exhibit development and art handling
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of art museum collection care, and exhibition and display, design and construction.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the operation of woodworking, mechanical and painting equipment.
- Experience in Installing video hardware and software, particularly programming and editing.
- Comfortable with or willingness to work with design and installation related software such as Final Cut, Photoshop, SketchUp, BrightSign, Illustrator and/or AutoCAD.
- Experience in basic construction and finishing, carpentry work, alterations and repairs.
- Experience in lighting techniques in a gallery setting.
- Experience in mount making, matting and framing.
- Experience in technical equipment including projectors, media players, sound and lighting systems.
- Demonstrated knowledge of database and project management systems, and Microsoft Office.
- Experience working directly with artists to translate and realize their artistic vision into a public, museum installation and exhibition.
- Evidence of effective communication to facilitate team work and essential functions.
ASU Statement
Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation’s fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Arizona State University is a federal contractor and subject to federal regulations which may require you to produce a record of a COVID-19 vaccination. For questions about medical or religious accommodations, please visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s webpage.
ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco
Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.
Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.
Essential Duties
- Professionally handle and install works of art in all media from historic paintings to contemporary craft to electronic and mixed media installations for display, storage or care.
- Plan and produce temporary and permanent exhibition installations with interactive and interpretive materials. Duties include matting, framing, working with video hardware and software, and design programs such as SketchUp and AutoCAD.
- Design and build crates as well as other carpentry tasks and fabrication for exhibition preparation such as display units, temporary walls and platforms.
- Safely operate woodworking, mechanical and painting equipment.
- Supervise student workers and contract preparators on ongoing collection management tasks and temporary exhibition production.
- Utilize museum databases to retrieve relevant information and notify registrars of new locations or care specifications.
- Assist with facility management, particularly related to art care and display, and set up and break down for large museum events and activities.
- Prepare objects for shipping and transport, and assist with local transport to display sites and museum facilities, and art movement within or between facilities.
- Assist with exhibition design, editing and programming, painting, basic construction and gallery preparation including problem solving challenging installations and maintaining good working relationships with artists and museum team.
- Work with chief preparator on setting exhibition production schedule, prioritizing, communicating and meeting deadlines, budgeting and inventory/ordering. Other duties as assigned.
Instructions to Apply
Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.
Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.
Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.
ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.
Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.
IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.