Job Opportunity: Lead Preparator at John Michael Kohler Arts Center – Sheboygan, WI
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) is a nationally acclaimed visual and performing arts center located in the heart of downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It is within walking distance of Lake Michigan and one hour from Milwaukee and Green Bay. While other museums focus on objects, JMKAC and its recently opened Art Preserve focus on relationships with artists and the community, and on preserving and exhibiting artist-built environments. Founded in 1967, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s presents works by diverse artists, from the vernacular to classically trained and from local to global perspectives. JMKAC establishes a community locally and nationally with its rotating, original contemporary art exhibitions, live performances and events, classes, workshops and an on-site preschool.
Are you an art handler/preparator seeking your next career opportunity in planning, managing, and leading exhibition installations? Are you known for building and leading art installations that generate an immersive and interactive experience for art enthusiasts? Would you consider yourself a creative and team collaborator? If you answered yes to these questions, then we may have the opportunity for you!
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center (Sheboygan, WI) is seeking a Lead Preparator to oversee and manage the installation of exhibitions, the packing and crating related to exhibitions and collections, and the transportation of works of art. Responsibilities may also include construction, cleaning, crating, painting, and planning. This position leads the Preparator and contract staff and reports to the Director of Exhibitions.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Manage long- and short-term planning for exhibitions, collaborating with the Director of Exhibitions and curatorial team on exhibition design and scheduling de-installation and installation of exhibitions.
Assist in the care, packing, and shipping of all works of art and related materials loaned to or owned by the Arts Center.
Manage the installation of eight to ten exhibitions per year as assigned, including several site-specific installations.
Work closely with the Registrars to oversee the safety and movement of all artworks entering and leaving the facility.
Oversee all custom fabrication needs including wood, metal and acrylic components.
Oversee the organization of the workshop, inventory controls, tracking and general maintenance of equipment.
Work collaboratively both within the Exhibitions department and with other departments in the Arts Center and Art Preserve on special projects.
Lead the team of Preparators and contract staff in daily operations including scheduling, payroll completion, and performance.
Interface directly with artists in all phases of exhibition planning and installation.
Oversee artwork transportation as well as related materials and equipment for exhibitions and collections.
Assist with billing and accounting duties per exhibition or project.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Creative
Detail oriented
Flexibility
Problem solving
Time management
Interpersonal skills
Able to work independently and in a team environment
Safety conscious
Construction – fabricating, woodworking, painting
CAD/3D modeling experience
Supervisory skills
Qualifications:
High School Diploma/GED
6 years of experience as a preparator or in a related field
2 years of experience leading people and projects
Valid Wisconsin’s Driver’s License
Experience driving a 25 ft. truck.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently move throughout the building; use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects; and talk or hear. The employee will frequently sit, stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, crouch, kneel and smell. The employee should be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities when performing this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Able to read and interpret documents, write routine correspondence, speak effectively with others. Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide using whole numbers. Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Able to deal with problems involving few concrete variables in standard situations.
Work Environments:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The position is office/art gallery based and noise level usually moderate. May occasionally work inside or outside at events where noise level could be moderate to loud.
Hours of work include daytime hours Monday – Friday and occasionally Saturday and Sunday to meet staffing and/or event needs.
The position works at various locations depending on the schedule. This position must be able to commute between locations if needed.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $22.97 - $27.03 per hour. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, educational background, and work location. Available benefits can be found on JMKAC’s employment page at https://www.jmkac.org/employment/
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
