Sarasota Art Museum
Ringling College of Art + Design

Chief Preparator

The Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design is transforming the historic Sarasota High School into a state-of-the-art destination, with the art museum as its anchor project. The Museum, a contemporary kunsthalle, will be a dynamic center for exhibiting innovative and compelling visual art of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The Museum is seeking the Chief Preparator to provide art handling related to the fabrication and installation/de-installation of galleries, receiving and shipping artwork, packing and storage of art objects. This position will work directly for the curatorial staff to interpret the design and construction of exhibits and displays of contemporary art for the visiting public. The Chief Preparator may supervise two or three part-time employees and/or manage hired contractors to support in the build-out of new exhibits.

The successful candidate will be able to maintain and drive exhibition project schedules, and will use their creativity to solve potential problems and prioritize the various needs of the curators, preparators and artists. They will need to be highly collaborative with exceptional interpersonal skills. The designed and constructed exhibitions completed by the Chief Preparator will be seen and appreciated by tens of thousands of visitors annually and will require execution at the highest degree of quality and expertise.

Open until filled. Apply on-line at https://ringling.simplehire.com

Ringling College is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma

• Three to five years of experience working in an art museum handling and installing artwork, implementing exhibitions, and building exhibition furniture/walls

• Proven ability to work on complex projects and lead an installation crew

• Knowledge of art handling techniques, practices and principles, and associated materials

• Experience with woodshop tools and fabrication techniques, as well as knowledge of building construction and general mechanical maintenance

• Experience in the use of powered lifts and ladders in galleries as well as skill in handling trucks, forklifts, lifts and other forms of moving equipment

• Flexibility to work extended hours as needed

• Familiarity with museum industry standards and best practices as outlined by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM)

• Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license or ability to obtain one

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in MS Office and SketchUp