Posted September 16, 2014.
One of the newest museums in New York City, the Rubin Museum of Art (“Rubin”) is dedicated to creating a dynamic environment that stimulates learning, promotes understanding, and inspires personal connections to the idea, cultures, and art of the Himalayas. Now in its tenth year, the Rubin Museum welcomes over 175,000 visitors annually and has 4,000 members. The museum’s preeminent collection includes works of art from present-day Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Tibetan Plateau. The pace is lively with more than ten changing exhibitions and more than 250 films, concerts and on-stage conversations a year.
Under the direction of the Head of Collections Management and Registration, the Collections Preparator/Art Storage Manager implements and ensures the ongoing care and safety of artworks and objects through professional handling, during exhibition preparation and while in storage. While care and safety are of paramount importance in the implementation of these duties, the person functioning in this position must also operate efficiently, in a timely manner, and meet all deadlines as assigned. This position requires a unique set of skills that combine practical knowledge and experience with an ability to think critically and resourcefully.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Daily care of works of art in the museum’s custody and control, including, but not limited to the museum’s permanent collection, loans for exhibitions and items in temporary custody, on the premises and in offsite storage.
• Manages and monitors the condition and appearance of art and crate storage areas, as well as off-site storage areas, in a secure, clean, organized and work-ready state, according to museum standards.
• Prepares permanent collection works for exhibitions including assisting department in evaluating condition, framing and mounting requirements, packing solutions, re-housing plans, and movement of artwork to and from off-site storage, conservators, and framers. In conjunction with Registrars, updates preparation documents to distribute to exhibition team.
• Coordinates packing, unpacking, and crating of artwork, including fabrication of packing cases and retrofitting crates for permanent collection, traveling exhibitions and loans according to Rubin procedures and museum standards.
• Coordinates with the Registrars the movement of art works as needed for the permanent collection.
• Coordinates with the Registrars incoming and outgoing loans, accessions, presentations, and exhibitions as directed.
• Oversees local pick-up and deliveries of artwork and releasing/receiving artwork as directed.
• Updates on an accurate and timely basis art movement logs, tagging of artwork related to our bar coding system, and physically numbering artwork to maintain collection inventory control according to Rubin’s policy and procedure.
• Maintains inventory and orders supplies for art storage and maintains storage of supplies in a secure and orderly fashion
• Assists with environmental monitoring and Integrated Pest Management in all Art storage spaces and galleries. Also assists with dusting of cases, frames, and art objects, as assigned.
• Manages and supervises visits to Art Storage both on and off-site with Curators, education, outside scholars, conservators, framers and other museum staff, as directed by the head of department.
• Organizes and stages art in preparation for photography and assists photographer during shoot.
• Supervises part-time and freelance art handlers and staff working with the collection and on exhibitions when necessary. Hire, train, and supervise contract labor and student interns for permanent collection projects.
• Performs other Art handling projects or duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree required; MA or MFA preferred.
• Extensive experience in fine art handling, installation, packing, crating, and transportation; best practices in handling paintings, sculpture, works on paper, textiles, and of matting and framing.
• Knowledge of Past Perfect database a Plus.
• Three to five years of experience in a museum or gallery setting as a fine art preparatory or conservation technician.
• Familiarity with Asian Art a plus.
• Experience and willingness to act as museum courier on a regional and national level.
• Ability to organize and plan schedules within a changing work environment while adhering to the time-sensitive nature of museum production work, and to coordinate several tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to move confidently among a sizable range of media and to properly analyze the physical requirements and the inherent risks associated with object handling and must be able to communicate clearly, act independently and decisively.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team and follow instructions.
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated.
• Demonstrated proficiency in carpentry skills and use of shop tools and equipment.
• Comfortable climbing ladders and operating lifting equipment along with the ability to lift, push, pull, and support heavy objects, crates, and other items
• Proficient computer skills required in the use of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel; Outlook and some knowledge of PowerPoint.
• Valid driver’s license helpful.
• Willingness occasionally to work on weekends and evenings.

Application Instructions
Please provide the following as part of your application:
• Complete resume, including salary history and salary requirements.
• A cover letter addressing both your interest in the Rubin Museum, and your qualifications for this position.

APPLICATIONS:
• Indicate Collections Preparator/Art Storage Manager on the Subject Line of email or in body of cover letter.
• Applications in electronic format preferred, and accepted at jobs@rmanyc.org.
• Mailed applications – Manager, Human Resources, Rubin Museum of Art,
150 West 17th Street, New York, New York 10011.