Exhibition Production Specialist

15-Feb-2024

Harvard Art Museums

64947BR

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Exhibition Production provides logistical support for the Museums’ exhibition and loans out programs.  Prepares, installs, handles, and packs artworks, casework, and graphics for gallery presentations throughout the Harvard Art Museums, while adhering to correct policy and procedural guidelines. Works as part of a larger team in Collections Management as well as with other HAM staff.

Position Description

Core Responsibilities:

• Prepare galleries with touch-up painting. Light galleries to museums’ standards. Secure and alarm artwork. Install gallery labels.
• Support the Manager of Exhibition Production and Installation colleagues in the handling of oversize and complex artwork and casework, employing high-capacity rigging/lifting and moving equipment.
• Light-duty fabrication of casework parts, blocks, and related fixtures. Modify and paint fixtures as needed.
• Maintain galleries, dusting exposed art and pedestals, cleaning Plexiglas and glass casework and re-lamping.
• Provide design-related support as needed, including full-scale mockups of artwork and casework, and testing of color samples, lighting, and AV presentations.
• As assigned by Manager, assists the Collections department in the preparation, packing and handling of works of art for gallery installations, including reframing, glazing, and building of conveyances and handling mounts.
• Documents notes in TMS for art handling, packing and installation as needed.
• Operate rental trucks to transport supplies and materials, including crates and casework.
• Operates lifting devises, scissor lifts, forklifts, Genies, and hydraulic lifts
• Serve as courier as necessary.
• Work closely with photographers, conservators, curators, registrars and other Collections Management staff in storage and exhibition related duties.
• Work with contractors in exhibition and storage spaces as needed.
• Perform related duties as required.

• Devise an approach to, and then fabricate exhibition mounts.
• Participate in preliminary mockup meetings to gather mounting-related artwork information. Preview mounting solutions with Manager, exhibition designer and curators, as needed. Document mounting solutions in TMS object records.
• Participate in research of exhibition mount-making methods and materials.
• Maintain mount-making shop and inventory of supplies.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications to be considered for this role:
Minimum of 5 years of exhibition installation and art handling experience in a museum environment, including experience designing and constructing exhibition mounts for art objects and rare books.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Studio Art, Museum Studies, or related field; or equivalent professional experience.  Previous art handling experience and high level to attention to detail required. Ability to problem solve, work independently and be capable of excellence in a high performance, team orientated culture. Conscientious, self-motivated, resourceful, flexible. Ability to communicate to various constituents of the museum environment with strong oral and written communication skills. Accuracy and meticulous attention to detail; ability to handle fragile collections in keeping within museum standards; knowledge of art handling equipment; strong computer skills including familiarity with museum database programs (TMS); excellent communication skills; ability to learn new computer applications; experience working with digital camera; good organization and interpersonal skills; flexibility, punctuality; resourcefulness; ability to work effectively under pressure and in both a team structure and independently under deadlines. Valid Massachusetts driver’s license helpful.

Physical Requirements

Walking, standing, stooping, pushing, and pulling; must be able to reach and work above the shoulders, climb ladders, use personnel lift, kneel, twist, and squat. Must be able to lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs.) comfortably.

Additional Information

The schedule is somewhat flexible. A 4- or 5-day workweek is possible, with a fixed start time of 8 AM.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines. 

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

Ever since their founding, the Harvard Art Museums—the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum and Arthur M. Sackler Museum—have been dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. Displayed in galleries that mix not only media but schools of art, the collection at Harvard is celebrated and interrogated within a larger story of artistic expression and historical and contemporary issues. The diverse collection is among the largest in the United States. Through research, teaching, professional training, and public education the museums strive to advance the understanding and appreciation of art.

The museums value staff diversity and are committed to building a culturally diverse community. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

403086 Exhibit Assistant-Specialist

Department

Collections Management

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Identity

Schedule

A 4 or 5-day workweek is possible, with a fixed start time of 8 AM. 35 hours per week.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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