Position Summary:

Come join the dynamic curatorial team at the Newport Art Museum as we install new exhibitions, refresh galleries, and care for our collection. The Preparator is involved in all of the technical aspects of art handling with regard to installation and de-installation, art transport, packing/shipping, and storage of art objects under the direction of the Senior Curator, Curatorial Assistant, and Registrar. He/she assists with the maintenance of art storage and the framing room, and routine maintenance of Museum galleries. He/she plays an integral role in exhibition installation, preparing works of art for hanging, de-installing and returning or storing works of art, and preparing the galleries for new shows.

Essential Functions:

• Assists in all aspects of changing gallery space including patching and painting walls, building structures/mounts, and installing/deinstalling artwork.
• Completes all preparatory tasks for installing artwork including framing and unframing and sometimes matting.
• Assists Registrar and Curatorial Assistant to pack and unpack artwork on loan.
• Transports artwork locally.
• Assists with maintaining the appearance of exhibition space including changing light bulbs, dusting, cleaning plexi, paint touch-ups, prepping and cleaning pedestals and shelves.
• Assists with installing and attaching vinyl, wall text panels, and labels.
• Assists Registrar with maintenance of art storage including rehousing artworks, moving large artworks, and moving art from storage to galleries.
• Abides by all Museum policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of, and adherence to, museum standards for collection care, packing, crating, handling, installing, and housing artworks.
• Performs required administrative tasks in an accurate and timely manner.
• Works with other Museum staff to ensure smooth operation of the Museum’s programs and events. Represents the Museum with the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and enthusiasm and works positively with colleagues and the public.
• Knowledge of loss-prevention techniques is a plus.
• Knowledge or an eagerness to learn about new media installation is a plus.

Qualifications and Skills:

• A good problem-solver
• Knowledge of art handling practices and procedures
• Experience using power tools, ladders, and other large equipment
• Well organized, resourceful, and results-oriented
• Basic math skills
• Good communication skills
• Ability to follow directions and work in a supportive role
• Excellent time-management, planning, and teamwork skills
• Works well under pressure

Required Education and Experience:

• B.A. or B.F.A. in studio art, art history, or a related field
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience as a preparator in a gallery or museum
• Valid drivers license

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Work may be performed both indoors and outdoors throughout the campus as well as off-site locations
• Position may require standing for prolonged periods, walking, climbing, bending and stretching, and enough physical strength to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds unassisted
• Ability to climb ladders etc. in excess of 8 feet

This is a part-time position requiring availability during normal business hours and occasional nights and weekends, when needed.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@newportartmuseum.org with ‘Preparator’ in the email subject line. No phone calls please. The Newport Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer.

Newport Art Museum seeks new instructors for its newly renovated studio school, specifically in fibers arts, clay, printmaking, design, and master-level courses in new and traditional media including painting and drawing. We have four seasonal terms, each broken into two-five week sessions with classes typically running from 9:30am – 12:30pm, 1pm – 4pm, and 6pm – 9pm. Workshops and weeklong intensives are scheduled according to the availability of the instructor.

Responsibilities

• Propose and instruct five-week courses, single or multi-day workshops, or weeklong intensives in your medium of expertise
• Set up any required equipment and materials before each class
• Provide a course description, sample images, a syllabus, and supply lists for each offering
• Be available for all dates that you are teaching, and teach a make-up class in case of cancellations due to illness or inclimate weather
• Help maintain tidy and clean studios and facilitate cleanup at the end of each class
• Contribute to an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for all
• Attend an annual instructors meeting
• If available, participate in occasional events such as an open house

Qualifications

• Previous teaching experience or proven excellence in communication and interpersonal skills appropriate for teaching
• Active studio practice with proven expertise in your medium
• Familiarity with the use and care of equipment related to your medium
• Experience developing art and/or design workshops and curricula for adult and/or teen audiences
• Competency and responsiveness with online communications including email and forms
• Willingness to share ongoing feedback about our spaces and classes
• Familiarity with health and safety procedures relating to your medium

Preferred Qualifications

• Social media savvy and willing to share information about their course offerings via their social networks
• (For clay instructor) Availability to open the School on select evenings, and to offer night courses from 6pm – 9pm as well as daytime classes

Compensation + Benefits

• Contracted instructors are typically paid after the last day of class
• Instructors who teach a minimum of two classes within a year are eligible for one free workshop or 5-week class; restrictions apply
• Opportunity to teach private lessons through our School
• Eligibility for free studio time
• Educator bio included in your course listings and mentions in our social media

How to Apply

Send your resume, cover letter, samples of your work or a link to your portfolio, and a sample lesson plan or syllabus to jobs@newportartmuseum.org with the subject line “Applicant – Instructor”

About the Museum

The Art Association of Newport, now the Newport Art Museum, was founded in 1912 on the belief that arts and culture have the power to bring diverse groups of individuals together, which ultimately promotes civic engagement and strengthens the social fabric of our communities. This core idea continues to inform our Museum’s direction today. To support these values, the Education department provides programming for all ages, including a year-round tuition based school, summer camps for children, extensive outreach offerings, a career prep program for high school students (MuSE), homeschool programs, public programs, school tours, and events.