Job Details

Senior Museum Preparator

The Asian Art Museum seeks a skilled Senior Museum Preparator to support the construction, installation, de-installation, and safe handling of artworks for exhibitions and gallery rotations. Working closely with a cross-departmental creative team, this role helps bring exhibitions to fruition through expert craftsmanship, problem-solving, and thoughtful design collaboration.

Under direction, this position constructs museum-quality fixtures, showcases, pedestals, temporary walls, and mounts; installs and arranges exhibits; packs, unpacks, and oversees storage of art objects; and performs related duties as assigned. Work requires a high degree of manual dexterity and exceptional care in handling valuable artworks.

Distinguishing features of this position include:

The 3522 Senior Museum Preparator is distinguished from the 3524 Principal Museum Preparator in that the latter performs duties of a more difficult and complex nature and has greater supervisory responsibilities. Class 3522 Senior Museum Preparator is distinguished from Class 3520 Museum Preparator in that the latter is an entry level with no supervisory responsibility. Positions at this level require more knowledge, skills, abilities, and expertise than those of class 3520 and possess greater expertise than expected at the entry level.

Major duties include:

1. Confers with curatorial, design, and other staff in planning and constructing exhibit components; designs and builds installation elements, such as showcases, pedestals, partitions, and special effects; paints and wallpapers exhibition spaces; adjusts and installs lighting; hangs artworks and sets up sculptures; and serves as a lead during installation, removal, and salvage of exhibition fixtures.
2. Prepares cost and material estimates for construction and installation projects; requisitions lumber, supplies, and specialized equipment.
3. Packs, ships, receives, and unpacks paintings and other valuable objects; supervises storage and inventory of paintings, statuary, and furniture; notifies the registrar of any discrepancies.
4. Uses professional-grade hand and power tools for carpentry, cabinetmaking, and mount fabrication, including constructing cases, pedestals, mounts, and display furniture using conservation-safe materials and methods.
5. Ensures all work aligns with museum conservation standards, safety protocols, and industry best practices, including PPE use, equipment safety, and proper artwork handling procedures.

Work environment and physical demands include:

• Standing, bending, and lifting
• Climbing ladders or scaffolding
• Performing fine motor tasks
• Safely handling and moving heavy, delicate, or high-value artworks

Early mornings, evenings, and weekends may be required for installation schedules.

Qualifications include:

Education: Possession of an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Art, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, or a related field.

Experience: Two (2) years of verifiable experience in:

• Preparation, fabrication, installation, and care of valuable artworks
• Museum mount-making
• Building exhibition furniture
• Working in a museum, gallery, or traveling exhibition program

Substitution: Additional full-time work experience (2,000 hours = 1 year) may substitute for required education on a year-for-year basis. One year of work experience equals 30 semester units or 45 quarter units.

License/certification: Valid California Driver's License.

Desirable qualifications include:

• Experience supervising or leading installation teams
• Experience preparing exhibitions in a fine art museum
• Knowledge of museum mount-making materials and methods
• Familiarity with digital tools for shop drawings and basic design layouts