Franklin & Marshall College is a residential college dedicated to excellence in undergraduate liberal education. Its aims are to inspire in young people of high promise and diverse backgrounds a genuine and enduring love for learning, to teach them to read, write, and think critically, to instill in them the capacity for both independent and collaborative action, and to educate them to explore and understand the natural, social and cultural worlds in which they live. In so doing, the College seeks to foster in its students qualities of intellect, creativity, and character, that they may live fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to their occupations, their communities, and their world.
The Phillips Museum of Art at Franklin & Marshall College is a forum for the creative process and fosters an understanding and appreciation of the arts, which include contemporary, historical, & multicultural materials.
Job Description:
The Preparator and Exhibitions Specialist ensures the Phillips Museum of Art and its galleries in the Susan and Benjamin Winter Fine Arts Center are central to campus life, academic program and the greater Lancaster community. The position is responsible for supporting the museum’s mission through exhibition design, preparations, and installation of both temporary and permanent collection exhibits as well as collections care of the permanent collection.
Essential Functions
- Supports the Curator of Exhibitions and Engagement’s work on exhibitions as well as artists, guest curators, F&M faculty and students in the preparation, design, and realization of relevant exhibition spaces. Attends and participates in project based meetings and ongoing communication between relevant parties. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to multi-task in a fast paced, visitor centered, team orientated environment.
- Supports the Collections Manager’s work on permanent collection projects supporting its care and conservation. Supports work on exhibitions from the collection and on the public grounds of F&M. Fabricates shelving and other exhibition related elements including mounts for collection based exhibitions. Frames work as necessary.
- Performs scheduled preventative maintenance including gallery and outdoor sculpture maintenance. Prepares and maintains the galleries for exhibition according to AAM standards. Inventories and orders exhibition supplies. Fabricates exhibition furniture and exhibition elements as needed.
- Responsible for reviewing and adhering to exhibition budgets lines relative to their duties. Acts as liaison with facilities, security, contractors, and vendors.
Packs, unpacks, and transports artwork as needed. Constructs crates and other packing containers as appropriate. With oversight from the Collections Manager or Curator of Exhibitions, arranges shipping logistics for temporary and outgoing traveling exhibitions. - Assists as needed with processing of new donations, ongoing permanent collections care, creating storage solutions for PMA and College artwork. Prepares artworks for class tours or workshops.
- Attends and assists in the facilitation of museum programs & events; including talks, tours, lectures, exhibition openings and receptions, class visits, training and performances. Mentors F&M interns and student museum workers with elements of exhibition design, preparation, installation and gallery maintenance.
- In addition to museum spaces at the Phillips, the position will assist with design and installation in the Winter Visual Art Center galleries, as needed for museum related exhibitions and events.
Learn more about The Phillips Museum of Art, click HERE.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Studio art, art history, museum studies, or related discipline required.
- Master’s degree in Studio art, art history or museum studies preferred.
- Four to seven years of relevant experience required, additional years preferred.
Advanced exhibit design software experience and ability to use hand and power tools required. - Intermediate skills in fabrication, soldering, carpentry and audiovisual skills
- Expert analytical and project management skills
- Intermediate experience using Google Suite and Exhibit Collections software and databases, preferred.
- The ability and willingness to provide excellent service and to work in a collegial manner with students, faculty and staff and other constituencies is essential.
- Successful interview
- Evidence of commitment to equity and diversity.
Because this position requires occasional driving for College business, the successful candidate must possess a U.S. or Canadian driver’s license which has been valid for at least two years, have a driving record that is free from excessive motor vehicle violations within the last three years, and have had no convictions in the last 24 months for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
This position Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts of machinery or tools used to perform work, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals. There is air or skin exposure to POLS (Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants) or other cutting fluids. Lifting more than 50 pounds is occasionally required.
Additional Information:
Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of reference checks, a criminal background verification, and verification of credentials. The College will coordinate these verifications.
Full-time members of the Franklin & Marshall College professional staff receive competitive starting pay and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health coverage, dental, vision, education benefits for employees, spouses and dependent children, and enjoy access to all College facilities including dining venues to suit all tastes, recreation and fitness facilities, and libraries, plus access to College performances, lectures, and events.
Franklin & Marshall College is committed to having an inclusive campus community where all members are treated with dignity and respect. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the College does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender/gender-identity, sex, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information, family or marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected class.
Individuals who need an accommodation due to a disability in order to submit an application or attend an employment interview should contact Human Resources at (717) 358-3995.
Franklin & Marshall is proud to offer a smoke-free work environment.
Application Instructions:
All resumes and cover letters must be submitted via this online process. Full consideration given to applications received by July 16, 2021. We regret we are unable to accept applications or resumes submitted via mail, email, or fax.
As you are submitting your application via this online process, please ensure that you provide an accurate email address. You will then receive an acknowledgment indicating that your application materials have been received.
