Preparator - Jobs in Chaldecutt

Job Description

Staff - UnionJob CategoryCUPE 116Job ProfileCUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4Job TitlePreparatorDepartmentProduction Support | Morris and Helen Belkin Art GalleryCompensation Range$5,281.00 - $5,738.00 CAD MonthlyPosting End DateJanuary 15, 2024Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.Job End DateMar 31, 2026At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.Job SummaryThe Preparator is part-time, 60% FTE (22.5 hrs per week) with additional hours during exhibition installations. The position is a grant-funded term appointment until March 31, 2026 with a possibility of extension.Compensation range above will be prorated accordingly at 60% FTE.The Preparator at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery is responsible for performing a variety of skilled technical work related to the design, fabrication, and complex installation/de-installation of exhibitions and performs various duties related to the care and maintenance of the collections, loaned artwork, facilities and the delivery of public programs.The Preparator demonstrates a solid foundation of skills that are emblematic of the industry, gained from employment at other museums, galleries or cultural institutions, and has specialized knowledge and training in best practices in handling, installation and storage of art works.Major responsibilities: Prepares, installs and dismantles a variety of exhibitions at the Gallery and satellite locations on and off campus, including two and three dimensional and audio-visual exhibits. Designs and constructs crates, museum quality display cases and other related exhibition elements as required. Packs, moves, and maintains collections; researches and implements storage and conservation methods. Responsible for maintaining the galleries, curatorial workroom, storage rooms, and shipping and receiving areas to ensure that professional museum standards are upheld. Sources, purchases and maintains the Gallery #39;s inventory of tools, equipment, technical supplies and shipping supplies. Works with the Manager of Technicalamp; Design Services and the Registrar on the care, handling and storage of the University art collection and monitoring and maintenance of works in the Outdoor Art Collection located across the Vancouver campus. Completes building inspections as part of the Gallery #39;s Local Safety Team and provides day-to-day monitoring of specialized building systems and maintenance needs. Responsible for implementing, maintaining and reporting on safe work procedures in related work areas. As a key member of the team, participates in activities related to institutional planning, growth and development including workshops and staff retreats.Organizational StatusThe Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at UBC is mandated to research, exhibit, collect, publish, educate and develop programs in the field of contemporary art. The Gallery is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) People. The Gallery promotes understanding and discussion of contemporary art and contemporary issues in art history, criticism and curating, with a focus on our region in an international context. The Gallery is an internationally recognized Category A institution and houses the University #39;s art collection of over 5,000 objects, one of the largest public collections of art in British Columbia. The Gallery also holds one of the largest artists #39; archives in Canada and oversees the University #39;s outdoor art collection on the Vancouver campus which includes twenty-five works. Through a program of exhibitions, publications, loans and special projects, the Belkin participates in the national and international community of institutions concerned with contemporary art. The Gallery operates as a unit in the Faculty of Arts and participates in the training of student curators through the Critical and Curatorial Studies Program in the Department of Art History, Visual and Theory.Reports to the Manager of Technicalamp; Design Services, and to the Administrator regarding structural aspects of the position (vacation, sick time, scheduling performance reviews, etc.). Works with all Gallery staff and student employees and contributes to the policies and priorities of the Gallery. Supervises and trains auxiliary CUPE staff and contract technicians. Supervises and provides instruction to student employees and interns as required. Works directly with visiting artists, guest curators, conservators, and technicians from all over the world. Liaises and cooperates with staff from a variety of UBC units including Building Operations, Campus Security, IT Services, and the Library, as well as faculty and students from other departments such as Art History, Visual Art, and Theory, School of Music, Theatreamp; Film and Museum of Anthropology. Contacts vendors and suppliers to source and order supplies and equipment. Assists with training and mentoring graduate students in the Critical and Curatorial Studies Program and MFA Program.Work PerformedExhibition Installation/Dismantling

• Assists the Manager of Technicalamp; Design Services to conceptualize, design and schedule the production, installation and dismantling of exhibitions.
• Develops work plans, methods and schedules, sources materials, and prepares cost estimates, drawings and specifications for exhibition elements.
• Works with curators, artists and external technicians to realize conceptual ideas and negotiate requirements.
• Researches and uses new or unfamiliar technology and/or materials to adapt to new design challenges and stay up to date with current art production practices.
• Assembles, positions, and mounts two and three dimensional works of art, including audiovisual works, using professional museum standards in the care and handling of art work at all times.
• Assembles and constructs display cases, stands, screens, information panels, temporary walls, and other display structures.
• Prepares and repairs walls and display structures between exhibitions.
• Positions, mounts, and installs cabling for audio visual equipment used in exhibitions, including monitors, projectors, and media players.
• Operates scissor lift for safe positioning and placement of oversized art works and for lighting exhibitions.
• Measures, mats, and frames art works.
• Working with Curators and the Manager of Technical and Design Services, positions lighting for exhibitions and monitors and replaces lights as needed.
• Inspects exhibition area on a daily basis, ensures security of works, and informs Manager of Technical and Design Services and Registrar of issues.
• Dismantles exhibitions and displays using professional museum standards in the care and handling of art work at all times.
• Supervises and trains auxiliary and contract technicians in specialized techniques requiring extensive training including the safe handling of artworks, conservation techniques, construction methods, and safe use of tools and equipment; ensures work is going according to schedule, and advises Manager of Technical and Design Services of any problems Maintains, sources, and purchases technical supplies, hardware, and shipping supplies, in consultation with the Administrator for budgeting and requisitioning.
• Researches and remains current on contemporary practices in storage, handling and exhibiting of contemporary artworks, collections management and conservation methods.
• Provides technical and audiovisual set up and support for a range of public programs and events such as symposia, lectures and concerts.

Shipping and Receiving

• Receives, unloads, and uncrates works of art for display or storage, including oversized and fragile works, using professional museum standards in care and handling.
• Packages and crates work of art for safe transport, affixes accurate shipping address labels, and completes waybills as required.
• Designs and builds purpose-built exhibition travel crates.
• Moves art works to storage or exhibition area, and stores empty crates safely in storage room or off-site storage facilities.
• Prepares and receives other shipments, such as catalogues, equipment, and supplies; collects waybills, and advises appropriate staff upon arrival.
• Maintains, sources, and purchases supplies and equipment in shipping and receiving area and curatorial workroom.

Collections Maintenance

• Works with the Manager of Technical and Design Services and Registrar on ongoing collection maintenance, advises on artworks that require special care or storage needs, and constructs specialized storage containers as required.
• Installs, moves, and transports art works from the collection on loan to other UBC departments and offices.
• Monitors climate readings in exhibition and storage areas, in the absence of the Manager of Technical and Design Services, to ensure the safety of artwork, and alerts Registrar or Building Operations as appropriate.
• Inspects works in the outdoor art collection, reports damage, vandalism or conservation issues to the Manager of Technical and Design Services and Registrar, and performs repairs and maintenance as appropriate.
• Implements and monitors pest management programs in gallery and storage areas.

Facilities Operations

• Troubleshooting and maintenance on a day-to-day basis to ensure the smooth running of the facility #39;s operations.
• Completes building inspections and reports maintenance concerns, health and safety issues, and security issues in areas overseen to the Manager of Technical and Design Services and Local Safety Team.
• Develops and implements safe work procedures for Gallery workrooms and procedures in areas overseen, including monitoring potential risks and hazards to ensure a safe work environment.
• Performs and documents routine inspections of tools and equipment.
• Serves on the Gallery #39;s Local Safety Team and participates in Accident/Incident investigations.
• Contributes to planning of exhibitions and facilities through participation in meetings and discussions, and works collectively with all Gallery staff for the success and advancement of the Gallery.
• Performs other related duties as needed.

Consequence of Error/JudgementExercises a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility and initiative in determining priorities and work methods and carrying tasks through to completion under minimal supervision. If installation/de-installation schedules are not adhered to, it could impact exhibition openings that have been publicized, possibly incurring additional expense and damage to the Gallery #39;s reputation. Failure to use appropriate care in handling could put the safety of valuable and irreplaceable artworks at risk. Improper handling and packaging of artworks loaned from other institutions and private collections could result in damage, and impact the Gallery and University #39;s reputation and ability to borrow artworks in the future. Prompt attention to potential problems in all areas of responsibility is essential to the smooth running of the Gallery.Supervision ReceivedReports to the Manager of Technical and Design Services and to the Administrator regarding structural aspects of the position (vacation, sick time, scheduling performance reviews, etc.). Performs varied and complex technical tasks under minimal supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or on matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedure.Supervision GivenSupervises and trains auxiliary CUPE 116 staff and contract technicians. Supervises and provides instruction to student employees and interns as required.Minimum QualificationsCompletion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one #39;s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one #39;s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred QualificationsUndergraduate degree in visual arts or art history preferred. Thorough knowledge of and experience in best practices for the care and handling of museum objects and artworks including all aspects of packing, crating, and shipping methods. Three years experience in the installation of artworks in a professional art gallery or museum. Good knowledge of contemporary art, curatorial practices, and art production processes.

• Excellent carpentry skills with training in general shop work and production methods is required; cabinet making skills desired.
• Extensive experience using a variety of machines, tools, materials, including scissor lifts, professional table saw, drills, and framing tools.
• Experience fabricating exhibition furniture including benches, plinths and vitrines.
• Experience with audiovisual equipment, computers and AC and DC electrical wiring and distribution standards required.
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel) required; familiarity with collections database programs, Adobe Creative Suite and CAD programs an asset.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to work effectively and maintain professional best practices in handling and care of artworks under stress and pressure of deadlines.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations and work schedules, especially around exhibition installation deadlines.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, problem solve, and complete work unsupervised.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with faculty, staff, students and external parties.
• Ability to interpret specifications and explain practices and procedures to others.
• Ability to coordinate and oversee the work of others as required.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the job is required (e.g. heavy lifting, standing, working at heights, operating scissor lifts).
• First aid training is required.
• Valid B.C. driver #39;s licence is an asset.