Assistant Preparator and Collections Associate

Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY Full-time Accounting

Posted on May 6, 2023

Vassar College

Assistant Preparator and Collections Associate

Department: Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center
Duration of Position: Full year / Full time
Work Schedule:
Employee Type: Administrator
Posting Date: 04/04/2023
Union Representation: Not Applicable
Posting Number: AS353P
Pay Rate:

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar is deeply committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, diversity and inclusiveness. Vassar seeks to create a pluralistic community for all staff, faculty and students. Vassar College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer, and applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus.Note: Vassar College has a universal vaccination policy requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster, for all employees except for those exempt for medical or religious reasons.

Position Summary and Responsibilities
The Assistant Preparator and Collections Associate is one of seven members of the collections and exhibitions team charged with the operational care of over 22,000 works of art and associated data. The Loeb's collection includes a variety of media from around the globe dating from antiquity to the present. The staff is also responsible for the installation/deinstallation of exhibitions according to professional museum standards, as well as the documentation of all interactions and movement of objects.

The Assistant Preparator and Collections Associate works in tandem with both the Preparator and the Assistant Registrar for Collections. Primary responsibilities include ensuring all objects (collection and loans) are safe and stable when handled/moved, housed, installed, and/or prepared for traveling, as well as providing support for curricular, object-based study.

As Assistant Preparator, this position:

Constructs safe housing for works of art in storage, including mounting, matting and framing, and custom-built boxing
Packs and unpacks artwork as directed by the Preparator, including crate modification and customized packaging
Assists with gallery prep, cleaning, and exhibition lighting
Builds mounts for exhibition displays
Participates in, and at times leads, installs and deinstalls of temporary exhibitions and permanent collection gallery changes
Assists Preparator in processing and installing in-house labels and didactic panels for gallery installations
Aids in maintaining outdoor sculpture preservation program
Pulls (and re-houses) artworks for condition inspections
Ensures the cleanliness and tidiness of all art storage areas and prep rooms
Collaborates with Assistant Registrar for Collections to maintain inventory of materials, supplies and equipment for all purposes
Aids in supervising and mentoring approximately two students per semester

As Collections Associate, this position:

Aids Assistant Registrar for Collections with pulling (and re-housing) artworks for classes based on faculty requests
In conjunction with Assistant Registrar for Collections, coordinates and implements Project Gallery (exhibition space for object-based study) rotations, facilitates classroom viewings of artworks, and occasionally proctors classes
Updates TMS locations for artworks
Helps Collections Team with inventory of the museum's collection
Provides support to Collections Team members as needed
Attends meetings as needed

Qualifications

Bachelor or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a minimum 3-5 years experience in a museum setting moving both 3-D and 2-D works of art required
Knowledge of art handling best practices and art and artifact collections care in a museum environment
Comfortable working on multiple projects at any one time
Physical strength and ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.; ability to stand for long periods of time; aptitude for spatial relationships
Experience cutting mats and assembling frame packages
Basic carpentry skills and ability to operate light machinery
Working knowledge of collections management databases, particularly TMS, preferred
Good dexterity and aesthetic sensibility
Ability to work under pressure and in a collaborative team environment
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly and professionally in verbal and written forms
A high degree of organization and self-motivation, including ability to take initiative, anticipate actions needed, and exercise independent judgment
Ability to take direction as well as work independently
Ability to work with/mentor part-time work-study students and interns from diverse backgrounds

Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your on-line application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 professional references. All attachments must be in PDF format. Review of applications will begin immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources, 845-437-5820.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:

All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/3140.

Assistant Preparator and Collections Associate

Vassar College

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