28 Oct
New York Foundation for the Arts
Abu Dhabi
As part of the art team at NYUAD, the Art Preparator has two primary avenues of responsibility, both of which involve safe and efficient movement, housing, and artwork installation. The first is for the preparation of museum exhibitions and care of the collection, according to museum best-practice standards, as well as for the range of exhibitions and arts projects on campus. The second is an equally essential aspect of this position: working with and mentoring students and student assistants, both at the Graduate and Undergraduate levels, to give them practical ‘hands-on’ experience in art handling, collections management, and formal exhibition presentation. Through the process of doing the work itself with the students,
the Art Preparator instructs students on the technical and conceptual issues at stake when art is prepared and exhibited.
NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) supports an extensive arts program, including an MFA program, majors in multiple arts programs, a museum venue, a range of academic exhibition spaces, and a campus collection. For the visual arts, there are two main areas of activity: the formal curriculum of the MFA and BA programs and the museum and gallery exhibition programs that connect the university to the broader public.
The Art Gallery at NYUAD presents an ambitious program of museum exhibitions of art and culture from contemporary and historical periods in its main venue, alongside exhibitions of research and emerging artists in its Project Space. The Art Gallery department also oversees a campus collection and a variety of art installations on and off campus. Alongside this, the Arts and Humanities Division prepares students for an MFA in art and media and multiple BAs in the arts.
Exhibitions and art installations make up a core part of this education in classrooms, student exhibition spaces, and the Project Space.
A typical year cycle sees two month-long museum installs in the Art Gallery and 15-20 smaller rotations of community and academic exhibitions in the Project Space and elsewhere, including off-campus and various ad-hoc exhibition projects as they arise. The Art Preparator will work independently and, where appropriate, be supported by and manage a team of contract art handlers to deliver these projects. The art installation team will vary according to the project and closely collaborate with the Art Gallery and the Arts & Humanities production teams.
The duties include highly skilled technical care, handling,
and art installation ranging from traditional 2D and 3D works to immersive multimedia and site-specific installations. The exhibition spaces include a museum venue (the Art Gallery, which will eventually mount three major exhibitions per year), the Project Space (10-15 smaller exhibitions per year), the Crit Room (for student class review), the Cube (a student public exhibition space), the Arts & Humanities Research Walls, and across campus as it relates to the campus collection and other projects as needed, such as the annual Christo Award, MFA and Senior Capstone exhibitions, and smaller installations of work that may occur each semester.
The Preparator is responsible for maintaining professional museum standards of care and efficient and well-coordinated installation team integration. Under the direction of the Head of Arts Instructors (Division of Art and Humanities) together with the Head of Exhibitions and Collection Management (“HECM” for the Art Gallery department), this work includes planning and executing projects in a range of areas such as the preparation of gallery spaces and objects for exhibitions; fabrication, installation, and de-installation of temporary exhibitions; and supervising the contract art handlers to ensure the exhibition schedule milestones are met.
Additionally, the Preparator conducts and manages the cleaning and care of objects from the campus collection and the functioning of art storage. The Preparator is also responsible for caring for, tracking,
and upkeep of art handling inventory, supplies, and technologies.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Exhibition Production (Art Gallery Dept. and Division of Arts & Humanities):
Planning and production preparation of exhibitions across all venues (3 main gallery exhibitions, 15 /- Project Space exhibitions, Christo Award, Arts Center, and several ad hoc exhibitions)
The Preparator will play a critical role in maintaining museum best-practice standards during the handling and care of art across all projects. They will lead on the safe handling of the art, including unpacking, installing, de-installing, relocating, and repacking work. They will:
During the preparation phase:
- Plan the schedule for contract art handlers to meet big-picture deadlines and priorities,
noting other schedules that impact the space, such as graphics installation, gallery and exhibition lighting, exhibition maintenance and art movements.
- Prepare a list of required tools, supplies, and equipment in anticipation of coming installations; update inventories to reflect current status.
- Prepare any technology needs for the exhibition, including sourcing and testing video projectors, media players, sound design elements, etc.
During the production phase:
- Supervise contract art handlers to meet big-picture deadlines and priorities.
- Unpack/prepare and install artwork.
- Collaborate on lighting and technology installation.
- De-install and prepare/pack the exhibition for return.
- Ensure that all exhibition installation/deinstallation activities comply with health and safety regulations.
- Ensure that vendors under Preparator supervision comply with Risk Assessment and Method Statements as approved during the permit process (above).
During exhibition:
- Conduct gallery maintenance, including dusting of platforms, pedestals, and vitrines, and assist with museum-wide lighting maintenance as needed.
Exhibition Preparation Instructor in the Arts & Humanities:
At the direction of the Head of Arts Instructors, this role will:
- Work with Arts production teams on exhibitions, install, and support of student projects, in addition to those already outlined in the Project Space above.
- Consult and advise students on the options for their artwork production and install.
- Support faculty on the install and care of their work.
Campus collections:
- Responsible for installation and maintenance of art throughout campus.
- Under direction of HECM and in collaboration with the Registrar, conduct and manage any moves of work, and address any related technical needs.
Care of the Storage and Inventory for Gallery and Project Space:
- The Preparator manages aspects of art handling storage, and supports the functioning of art storage according to best practices under direction from the Registrar and HECM.
- The Preparator is responsible for care, tracking, and upkeep of art handling supplies and technologies, in general and in anticipation of exhibition and upkeep needs.
- Responsible for functioning and up-to-date inventories of Preparator department tools, technology, and exhibition furnishings.
- Ongoing care, tracking, and upkeep of the Gallery spaces and related equipment, in collaboration with HECM.
Application Instructions / Public Contact Information
To apply for this position, please submit the following items:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter
- Please provide the names and contact information for three (3) references who will be contacted in the later stage of the recruitment process.
We will review applications on a rolling basis and continue until the position is filled. We anticipate that successful candidates can start the appointment and relocate to Abu Dhabi, ideally before the spring semester 2025.
Application Deadline
11/04/2024
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▶️ Art Preparator, Instructor (Open-Rank)
🖊️ New York Foundation for the Arts
📍 Abu Dhabi