Assistant Preparator

Department: JSMA
Classification: Museum Technician
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $19.29 to $29.08 per hour
FTE: .5

Review of Applications Begins

November 11, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure consideration, a complete application must include:
1. A current resume/CV.
2. Three (3) professional references with contact information. References will not be contacted until you are notified.

Department Summary

The University of Oregon’s art museum opened its doors to the public in 1933. Designed by Ellis F. Lawrence, UO Dean of Architecture & Allied Arts at the time, the museum was built to house the Murray Warner Collection of Oriental Art—more than 3,700 works of art given to the University of Oregon by Gertrude Bass Warner.

The only academic art museum in Oregon accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA) features engaging exhibitions, significant collections of historic and contemporary art, and exciting educational programs that support the university’s academic mission and the diverse interests of its off-campus communities. The JSMA’s collections galleries present selections from its extensive holdings of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and American art. Special exhibitions galleries display works from the collection and on loan, representing many cultures of the world, past and present. The JSMA continues a long tradition of bridging international cultures and offers a welcoming destination for discovery and education centered on artistic expression that deepens the appreciation and understanding of the human condition.

Position Summary

As the Assistant Preparator, you will participate in all aspects of the art installation of the permanent collection, traveling exhibitions, and Shared Visions program at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA). The Shared Visions program sponsors highly valued works of art from recent auction house purchases which result in weekly installations, de-installations, and constant organization of incoming and outgoing pieces of art. Your responsibilities include the weekly coordination of this very active Shared Visions program including gallery preparation, assisting with incoming and outgoing shipments, the installation, de-installing, and handling of works of art with extreme care while ensuring the timely completion of all work at the highest level of quality and in observance of museum industry standards.

In this exciting role, you will assist with all aspects of the preparation and installation of exhibitions. This includes painting galleries, refurbishing bases, pedestals, mounts, and casework for the display of artwork; matting, framing, and hanging works of art of varying size and weight; fabrication and installation of labels and signage while ensuring the timely completion of all work at the highest level of quality and in observance of industry standards.

Additional responsibilities include assisting with the safe storage, handling, packing, and unpacking of works of art in the collection and on loan to the museum, assisting in the maintenance and organization of galleries and storage spaces, and the accurate documentation of art movement and condition using the museum database. You will support the Museum Registrar and other preparators with the incoming and outgoing shipments of the traveling exhibition program, including flexing your schedule to accommodate art deliveries as necessary.

You will partner with conservators, registrars, project leads, curators, designers, and fellow preparators to fulfill these duties. The Assistant Preparator reports directly to the Designer/Lead Preparator, with additional supervisory oversight from Associate Preparators, Collections Manager, and Registrar.

(Willingness to flex work schedule as needed to accommodate art shipments and exhibition deadlines required within provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. Anticipated schedule Monday 8:00am-5:00pm, Tuesday 8:00am-5:00pm, and Wednesday 8:00am-12:00pm.)

Minimum Requirements

• Two years of general carpentry experience involving both basic construction work like framing and finish work such as cabinetry.

Professional Competencies

• Knowledge of industry standards in handling works of art in a wide variety of media, including painting, sculpture, textiles, works-on-paper, ceramics, metalwork, glass, stone, and new media.
• Knowledge of industry standards for proper packing and crating materials and techniques for works of all media.
• Knowledge of basic