Associate Preparator, Mountmaker
Los Angeles
Museum Services /
Full-time /
On-site
ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes in the power of illustrated stories to connect us. With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world.
Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art seeks a skilled Art Handler and Mountmaker at the Associate Preparator level, to join the Art Prep and Installation team within the Museum Services Division. Reporting to the Chief Preparator, this position will play an integral part in the management and execution of the mountmaking processes for the museum’s collections and exhibitions while also playing a key member of the art prep and installation team for general installations. This position will collaborate with colleagues across the division and portfolio, including Registration, Collections Management, and Exhibitions and Planning on engineering, design, budgets, and timelines associated with mountmaking projects at the museum. This position will work with permanent collections, loans, exhibitions, and assist in building the museum's collections care processes.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Applies knowledge of current best practice in conservation ethics and mountmaking techniques, policies and procedures to moderately complex tasks.
- Fabricates mounts and fixtures for objects for public display and storage. Assists in the development of mount production scope and schedule
- Collaborates on research and selects concepts, materials and technologies to use in the fabrication of mounts and fixtures
- Assists Chief Preparator with developing budgets for mount scope for exhibitions and installations
- Maintains written and photographic documentation of all work
- Liaisons with out-of-house mount production and vendors
- Responsible for safe installation and deinstallation of works of art, loans, and related exhibition materials as directed by the Chief Preparator
- Maintains gallery appearance, including maintenance of mounts, light dusting of artworks and exhibition casework
- Collaborates with Art Prep team on the organization and maintenance of materials, tools and equipment to use in the object preparation and installation
- Mentors and trains assistant level and on-call preparations staff in the gallery, shops, and workspaces
- Supervises designated installation teams during assigned projects
- Assists in building out new metal shop and workspaces, including maintaining inventory and shop equipment
- Assists in the design and production of both temporary and long-term mounts, fixtures and custom hardware with an emphasis on metal work
- May be asked to make presentations to professional audiences or the general public
- Assists collections management technicians with art movement, packing, crating, and viewings, as needed
- Occasional weekend or night shifts, as needed
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision.
- Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.
- Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders.
- Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.
- Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum five years of experience in mountmaking and preparations in accordance with museum standards and best practice is required with advance knowledge of materials and technique, required
- Minimum five years working in art handling with a confident and comfortable understanding of best practices related to the care, conservation, and installation needs of 3D and 2D objects, required
- Experience with exhibition installation. Having experience in installing paintings, works on paper, objects of diverse media, and sculpture
- Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in fine arts, studio arts, conservation, design, engineering or industrial arts, preferred
- Ability to meet deadlines and communicate updates to key stakeholders effectively
- Proficient in metal work and an advance knowledge of mills, lathes and power tools
- Ability to engineer elegant and timeless designs that prioritize the objects safety
$61,400 - $69,100 a year
#MountMaking
#Fabrication
#Budgets
#Photography
#Installation
#Deinstallation
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.
The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.
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The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society.
VALUES
Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.
People First: We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art.
Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.
Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Narrative Art:
Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration.
Community:
Connect to a broad and diverse public.
Operational Excellence:
Create a healthy and durable institution.
Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).
Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all new hires to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical and/or religious exemption. Upon hire, all new hires will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
