Lead Preparator

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY                                                               

1 Regular - Full-Time, 1 Temporary - Full-Time

The Vancouver Art Gallery believes creativity is fundamental to an open and engaged world. Bring your experience in Museum and Gallery Preparation to one of Canada’s leading arts institutions, as we build a new, custom-designed and purpose-built space in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

As a Lead Preparator, you will be at the heart of our Gallery, helping to bring exhibitions to life and ensure our art collection shines. Working closely with the Preparator III, you will play a crucial role in organizing and installing exhibitions while working with our diverse and ever-evolving art collection.

Your day-to-day will be a dynamic mix of project management, from the initial concept to the exhibition opening, as well as maintaining and caring for our art collection. You will lead and support a team during exhibition changeovers; participate in project budget planning and seek out creative solutions to realizing the artistic vision with our exhibitions. Collaboration is key, as you will partner with registrars, conservators, curators, artists, and other Gallery staff to plan and execute all exhibition and collection-related projects.

In this role, you will handle a variety of tasks across construction, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of exhibitions and collections. You will also take on special projects and other exciting responsibilities as they arise.  If you are passionate about art and thrive in a collaborative environment, we would love to have you join our team!

What You Will Do

The focus of your role will be supporting preparation for exhibitions.  This will require you to:

• Collaborate and meet with curators, artists, and departments (Registration, Conservation, AV, Design) to manage all aspects of exhibition production, installation and de-installation. This includes multiple concurrent projects in varying stages of the production process
• Work with curators, exhibition designers, and artists to develop floor plans and exhibition layouts and provide rough sketches, drawings or installation plans as needed; Use creativity to solve technical problems and adapt to unusual circumstances as they arise.
• Identify all display fixture needs and any custom fabrication needs; Determine construction requirements, gallery alterations, lighting, and painting plan; Research costs and timeframes for these requirements and relay for approval.
• Liaise with departments to plan artwork installation needs, such as display cases, mounts, matting/ framing, and AV installation requirements.
• Plan and establish production schedules in consultation with the Preparator III and in collaboration with other Departments.
• Schedule contractors and determine staffing needs with Preparator III and/or Director of Museum Services to meet all deadlines.
• Oversee contractors, construction projects, and installation teams.
• Coordinate or perform the duties of a Preparator II, including assembling or constructing exhibition plinths, unpacking, moving, and hanging artworks, and installing lighting; Ensure work follows best museum practices and address related problems encountered by staff.
• Work effectively as part of a team, engaging with staff and external personnel; Foster a collaborative environment and contribute to staff development.
• Assist the Preparator III in training and managing the team
• Act as department head in the Preparator III’s absence for internal and external meetings and assignment of tasks.
• Model respectful and inclusive workplace behaviour through a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, including Indigenous ways of being you ensure these principles are embedded in all the work we do

Other duties may include the following:

Gallery Maintenance:

• Develop and coordinate maintenance procedures for galleries, storage areas, and artworks.
• Ensure regular cleaning and upkeep of exhibitions in collaboration with Registration and Conservation.

Acquisition Loans and Tours:

• Collaborate with other departments to prepare for museum acquisition meetings and process new acquisitions.
• Coordinate artwork movement, including packing, crating, shipping, and receiving for loans or tours.
• Assist with installation instructions, packing, labeling, and custom hanging devices.
• Assemble, disassemble, and properly mount artworks, including crating and travel frames.

Collections Care:

• Handle and store art and objects following best practices and museum standards.
• Maintain accurate records of artwork movement, storage, and inventory control.
• Operate mechanical devices, forklifts, and aerial lifts safely and uphold equipment standards.
• Keep art preparation areas and equipment organized and clean.
• Coordinate with Operations, Building Services, and Security as needed.

This role contributes to the overall success of the Museum Services team and ensures contribution to the Gallery’s strategic goals.

What You Bring to the Role

A Bachelor’s degree is preferred with a concentration in museum studies, studio art, or similar area. You have at least five years’ experience in museum preparation or a related field with two years working in a supervisory role in a museum, gallery or studio setting. Contemporary art museum experience is preferred.

In Addition, you will have:

• Extensive experience installing and handling artwork of various media (e.g., painting, sculpture, textiles) as well as the knowledge of the exhibition furniture required to display and support such art; knowledgeable about contemporary art.
• Excellent communication, time-management, and leadership abilities; adept at collaborating across departments.
• Skilled in long-range planning, meeting deadlines, and working under pressure.
• Ability to multitask and manage details and overall project scope effectively.
• Experience reading construction drawings and design plans.
• Ability to innovate and improve processes with a creative and best-practice approach.
• Experience in fast-paced environments with strong attention to detail.
• OSHA safety equipment training or certification preferred.
• Valid British Columbia driver’s license is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe CS, Sketchup, Rhino, AutoCAD, or similar design software.
• Advanced knowledge of museum best practices for art handling, installation, and gallery lighting.
• Familiarity with workplace safety policies and regulations.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to use hand and power tools, hydraulic lifts, and other equipment.
• Good dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and ability to work on ladders
• Capable of reaching, lifting (up to 50 pounds), standing, or walking for extended periods

COMPENSATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Salary: Pay Grade 20: Step 5: $34.44 per hour.

Schedule: Nine-day fortnight schedule, working 70 hours bi-weekly.

This is a unionized position. This assignment falls under the jurisdiction of CUPE Local 15 – VMECW. 

This is an in-office position at the Gallery’s downtown Vancouver location.   

The Vancouver Art Gallery offers a welcoming, team-based office culture and we are committed to providing equitable access to everyone.  We actively support accessibility, anti-racism, LGBTQ2S+ inclusion and we encourage diversity in our staff, visitors, volunteers, and programming.  We cultivate a safe space where all voices are heard, valued, and represented.  The Association stands against hatred, discrimination, racism, homophobia, and transphobia.