Exhibit Preparator [Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens]

The position of Exhibit Preparer is a full-time professional position that assumes a leadership role in the periodic preparation and installation of new exhibitions and displays at the Morikami Museum. Under the direction of the Chief Curator, Curator of Japanese Art and Exhibit Designer, the Exhibit Preparer works with staff to carry out the design of the floor plan by planning, creating, setting up and installing required display cases; fabricating and installing exhibition labels and titles, oversees refurbishing, upgrading and maintaining existing exhibits; manages outside professional services required for fabricating exhibit needs; and supervises the work of volunteers in carrying out tasks related to exhibition installation, and other related duties.

The Exhibit Preparer is responsible for maintaining the Exhibit Storage Room, including the tool cart, in a clean and organized manner. Responsibilities require after-hours and weekend work as dictated by the needs of exhibition installation schedules. This position reports to and receives direction from the Exhibit Designer, Curator of Japanese Art, and Chief Curator, and is reviewed through periodic conferences and written reports.

Responsibilities and Duties

Exhibit Planning and Installation

Assumes a leadership role in the preparation and installation of changing exhibitions

Installing/de-installing duties include: patching, painting of walls, taking apart and rebuilding large display cases and moveable walls, moving crates and displays, hanging flat works and installing artwork

Consults with the Exhibit Designer and Curators regarding the content, story-line and desired flow of the planned exhibition

Implements the layout of exhibition

Prepares schedule for exhibit installation and informs all appropriate staff

Consults with the Collections Manager/Registrar regarding special needs of display artifacts

Devises and fabricates, or oversees fabrication of, specialized exhibition aids to support display artifacts that require them

Determines needs for other specialized exhibit props and fabricates them or arranges to have them fabricated

Designs and fabricates, or oversees fabrication of, exhibit labels

Devises and implements an appropriate lighting scheme for the exhibition

Assists as necessary in preparing borrowed artifacts for return shipment to their places of origin

Assumes primary responsibility for installation of exhibition

Assists the Collections Manager/Registrar with storing of artwork as needed

Plans and implements the design of new exhibits and the refurbishment of existing exhibits and exhibit spaces at the Yamato-kan in consultation with the Exhibit Designer

Devises standards for all the museum and garden signage for museum administration and Board approval, and maintains them

Fabricates signage for lobby kiosk

Assists as needed with photography of collection artifacts

Designs and fabricates custom shipping cartons and crates

Required Skills:

Woodworking, framing

Handling and operating power tools

Label mounting

Sign-making and the operation of computer-assisted sign-making equipment such as scanners and sign plotters

Handling artifacts

Drafting exhibition layouts and plans for exhibit cases and specialized display aids and exhibit props

Education and Additional Job Requirements

B.A. or B.S degree or equivalent experience

Experience working as a preparator in a museum or gallery preferred

Ability to work flexible hours, weekends as needed

Computer skills; experience using word processing programs and graphic design r   sign-making programs such as FlexiExpert, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator, vectors, scanners, and slight plotters and mounting of vinyl-based signage

Strong attention to detail; ability to measure and hang flatworks with precision and ease

Sensitivity to the care and safety needs of collection and other exhibition artifacts and basic knowledge of the proper care and handling of artifacts

Ability to lift 65 lbs; comfortable on ladders up to 14’ tall