Lead Preparator, Collections Access
San Francisco, CA
Collections Management /
Full-Time /
On-site
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.
Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.
Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.
Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure.
Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution.
SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.
Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, onsite 5 days a week
Reporting to the Head Preparator, the Lead Museum Preparator, Collections Access, is responsible for the preparation and handling of art objects in the collection in ways that are aligned with the museum’s strategic priorities and the goals of the Collections Management department and the Collections, Exhibitions and Design (CED) division to connect people to the art of our time. This position collaborates extensively throughout the Collections, Exhibitions, and Design division, Curatorial, Facilities, Operations, Security, and other museum departments in realizing integrated collections stewardship, collaborative collections and exhibitions research, and engaging and inspiring public programming. The position applies project management and team leadership skills to complete and often delegate tasks related to the care, access, handling and storage of collection and loaned artworks at both of the Museum’s locations at 151 Third Street and in South San Francisco. The position is a leader in implementing SFMOMA’s collection and exhibition programs, as well as furthering development of the museum’s professional standards of caring for and handling modern and contemporary art.
The Lead Museum Preparator acts as the project Point for large projects. Working in partnership with an assigned project Co-Point, the Lead Museum Preparator, Collections Access, maintains oversight of project timelines, needs, staffing, special interests, and relationships over the course of a project from initiation to finish. The Lead Museum Preparator, Collections Access, mentors preparator staff and leads teams through plans and changes with a respectful professional demeanor and attitude towards project partners. The position may also be assigned independent projects. The Lead Museum Preparator, Collections Access, works with and represents the museum’s interests to members of the arts communities, such as artists, studios, fabricators, estates, donors, vendors, galleries, and other museums.
A successful candidate will begin to learn the systems and practices of the collections teams over the first month to quarter with SFOMOMA. This will include working with project points, co points, registration, conservation, and other preparators while working under the delegation of project points and preparator leadership. Within the first year the candidate will proactively further their institutional understanding and become a positive contributor to the successful completion of projects. They will begin to become an active project Point and help support the physical and administrative work of larger projects in their respective location.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Team Participation
- Encourage and contribute to an inclusive, rewarding, and inspiring workplace, where innovation, discovery, and constant learning cultivate a deep sense of belonging and shared responsibility within the Collections Management team.
- Share in fostering a culture of safety, inclusivity, and equity.
- Work in a healthy and flexible style, and model empathy and understanding.
- Participate in nurturing collaboration and partnership across teams with fluid communication and respect for diverse expertise essential to an art museum.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the museum’s strategic focus of making programming that engages visitors and inspires individuals to return and recommend the museum to their family and friends.
- Represent the museum at the local, national, and international levels.
- Participate in professional networks, workshops, and programs to stay current with relevant practices, methods, and technologies, as well adding new skills to share with the department.
- Specialty Expertise, Collections Access
- Prioritize and facilitate the movement, storage, and access of artworks, in concert with the Collections Manager.
- Participate in the coordination of preparing, releasing, or receiving artworks for variety of activities, including but not limited to transit, gallery rotations, exhibitions, loans, curatorial viewings, imaging, conservation work, scholarly visits, school groups and external viewings.
- Pack/unpack artworks, including preparing packing notes and updating object records in relevant museum databases, in consultation with respective project staff.
- Participate in the design, construction, or implementation of exhibition elements including walls, pedestals, boxes, fixtures, mounts, housings, and other finished structures related to the installation and display of exhibitions and works of art.
- Determine appropriate artwork storage locations based on size, medium, special requirements, and safety. Maintain art storage location systems.
- Maintain accurate storage locations in collections management system.
- Participate in the planning, access, organization, documentation, and movement of works to be stored in new storage spaces.
- Uphold consistent industry standards in collection care and maintenance. Participate in the development of procedures and standards to improve the movement, handling, packing, and storage of works of art.
- Art Handling
- Uphold constant standards in collection care and installation of artworks.
- Work collaboratively with the preparator team; sharing project knowledge and offering experience to the tasks assigned.
- Facilitate the safe movement, packing/unpacking, installation, and proper lighting of artwork in concert with the SFMOMA Collection, Exhibition and Design teams, utilizing proper handling and security techniques.
- Ensure that cleanliness of work areas, storage, and galleries is maintained with focus on safety for people and artwork.
- Participate in the training and development of procedures and standards to improve the movement, handling, packing and installation of art.
- Participate in collections inventories, audits, and surveys.
- Represent SFMOMA to other institutions, both national and international, to facilitate the installation and/or deinstallation of SFMOMA-organized exhibitions and/or presented artworks from SFMOMA’s collection.
- Work successfully under the direction of other Lead Preparators or Preparator 2’s acting as project Points or Co-Points.
- Work collaboratively with curators, artists, and artist assistants towards the success of their projects.
- Participate in departmental, team, and project meetings and project de-briefings. Communicate concerns and plans to project teams.
- Administration
- Add documentation to relevant museum systems for assigned projects.
- Mitigate risks to artworks and to relationships with people and organizations.
- Assist appropriate managers regarding adherence with fire code, and the care and storage of hazardous waste, building materials, and machinery.
- Assist with materials research, gathering budget estimates and other necessary fact-finding tasks pertaining to specific projects as well as contributing to purchasing, as assigned.
- Ensure that work areas are well maintained and stocked; Alerting preparator leadership or departmental administration of needed supplies.
- Mentor Preparator 1s and 2s and participate in their training.
- Delegate tasks to Preparator 1s and 2s and on-call staff, in collaboration with the Head Preparator.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications & Skills
- Possession of a High School diploma or G.E.D certificate. Knowledge of modern and contemporary art. Art museum experience or professional gallery experience strongly preferred.
- A minimum of five (5) year related experience or equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Demonstrated positive leadership skills are essential, on a team of varying levels of seniority.
- Large scale project management acumen and ability to prioritize tasks for delegation to a team with a concern for detail, accuracy, and efficiency in the execution of projects
- Ability to act as a professional mentor to newer team members, sharing both hard and soft skills related to project work.
- Work in an effective and efficient manner with regard to time, materials, and safety.
- Utilize shop equipment proficiently and safely including portable and stationary power tools within personal knowledge base; interest to learn appropriate usage of unfamiliar tools
- Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with other supervisors, museum staff, students, outside clients, vendors, volunteers, and the public.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively.
- Knowledge of safety precautions and procedures related to the handling of solvents, adhesives and other fabrication related solutions or ability to learn.
- Act as a steward of the department in proactive upkeep of shared and private spaces.
- Active engagement with sustainability practices as they relate to the museum’s waste handling and recycling practices.
- Familiarity with collections management systems.
Working Conditions
- The position’s workspace is divided between the museum’s Third Street location and its Collection Center in South San Francisco dependent on assigned projects.
- Must be able to safely lift 50 pounds independently or with a team.
- Close Warehouse and office setting.
- Long periods of standing or physical activity within a Construction/Jobsite environment, including wood dust, paint fumes, and other environmental hazards. Personal protective equipment is supplied.
$33.15 - $39.78 an hour
$33.15/hour (starting); $39.78/hour (position)
This is a union position subject to the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Job posting open date: 1/8/24
All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.
We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period.
Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.
COVID-19 Environmental Factors: In keeping with city, county, and state regulations regarding large gatherings, and to contain the spread of coronavirus, the museum is following the city of San Francisco guidelines. As a part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccination is required for all current and newly hired employees and contractors.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal of state law.
You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting.
You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People team at talent@sfmoma.org.
