Assistant Exhibitions Preparator, Paper Conservation

Under the general direction of the Senior Exhibitions Preparator, Paper:

Prepare art on paper for loan, exhibition, and storage.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in the preparation, mounting, and packing of art objects for exhibition display,transport, and storage. Including but not limited to, framing and unframing, cutting window mats, hinging artwork, and creating custom enclosures.

• Manage projects as assigned by Senior Exhibitions Preparator, including alerting supervisor and stakeholders to potential problems and proposing solutions.

• Collaborate with conservators, curators, project managers, designers, and others as required to support the production of exhibitions, installations, and loans.

• Design and execute specialized supports for proper storage of art objects to promote their long-term preservation.

• Take active role in gallery and exhibition installations to ensure safe handling of art objects.

• Prepare and protect objects for handling and movement, and transport objects within the museum.

• Monitor the condition of art objects in storage and on exhibit, recommend steps to address problems and assist with condition reporting following departmental standards.

• Research materials and develop fabrication techniques and strategies. Keep abreast of latest developments in storage and display solutions through professional publications, courses, and conferences.

• Become familiar with the collection of works on paper in order to evaluate and address specific and special handling and storage needs.

• Create and produce matting/framing records and reports in the collections management database.

• Label art objects according to collections management procedures.

• Travel, courier - be responsible for art in transit and for safe install of touring exhibitions and loans - understanding and applying professional standards and conservation protocols.

• Order and maintain shop materials and supplies as needed.

• Perform routine dusting and cleaning in galleries.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in art related field or equivalent knowledge and experience.

• Must have at least three years of practical experience in art handling and preparation of works on paper in a museum or equivalent environment.

• Must be aware of inherent vulnerability of paper based artwork and exercise appropriate care and handling.

• Must be comfortable working with high value artwork.

• Must have knowledge of conservation concerns, archival materials, and storage and installation standards for works on paper.

• Must have familiarity with the latest in field practices and techniques.

• Must have excellent communication skills and work collaboratively as part of a team.

• Facility with the TMS database preferred.

• Familiarity with operating a computerized mat cutter a plus.

Salary Range:

Full-Time Salary, 35 hours per week

Starting salary: $57,219 - $ 58,935

This position is affiliated with the United Auto Worker's Union.

Application materials must be received by June 29, 2026. For consideration, please submit letter of interest and résumé using the online portal. Please contact conservation@mfa.org with any questions.

The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Under the general direction of the Senior Exhibitions Preparator, Paper:

Prepare art on paper for loan, exhibition, and storage.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in the preparation, mounting, and packing of art objects for exhibition display,transport, and storage. Including but not limited to, framing and unframing, cutting window mats, hinging artwork, and creating custom enclosures.

• Manage projects as assigned by Senior Exhibitions Preparator, including alerting supervisor and stakeholders to potential problems and proposing solutions.

• Collaborate with conservators, curators, project managers, designers, and others as required to support the production of exhibitions, installations, and loans.

• Design and execute specialized supports for proper storage of art objects to promote their long-term preservation.

• Take active role in gallery and exhibition installations to ensure safe handling of art objects.

• Prepare and protect objects for handling and movement, and transport objects within the museum.

• Monitor the condition of art objects in storage and on exhibit, recommend steps to address problems and assist with condition reporting following departmental standards.

• Research materials and develop fabrication techniques and strategies. Keep abreast of latest developments in storage and display solutions through professional publications, courses, and conferences.

• Become familiar with the collection of works on paper in order to evaluate and address specific and special handling and storage needs.

• Create and produce matting/framing records and reports in the collections management database.

• Label art objects according to collections management procedures.

• Travel, courier - be responsible for art in transit and for safe install of touring exhibitions and loans - understanding and applying professional standards and conservation protocols.

• Order and maintain shop materials and supplies as needed.

• Perform routine dusting and cleaning in galleries.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in art related field or equivalent knowledge and experience.

• Must have at least three years of practical experience in art handling and preparation of works on paper in a museum or equivalent environment.

• Must be aware of inherent vulnerability of paper based artwork and exercise appropriate care and handling.

• Must be comfortable working with high value artwork.

• Must have knowledge of conservation concerns, archival materials, and storage and installation standards for works on paper.

• Must have familiarity with the latest in field practices and techniques.

• Must have excellent communication skills and work collaboratively as part of a team.

• Facility with the TMS database preferred.

• Familiarity with operating a computerized mat cutter a plus.

Salary Range:

Full-Time Salary, 35 hours per week

Starting salary: $57,219 - $ 58,935

This position is affiliated with the United Auto Worker's Union.

Application materials must be received by June 29, 2026. For consideration, please submit letter of interest and résumé using the online portal. Please contact conservation@mfa.org with any questions.

The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

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