Institute for Contemporary Art Senior Preparator

About the role

The Senior Preparator oversees the planning, design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of exhibitions and commissions at the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at Virginia Commonwealth University. Designed by Steven Holl Architects and located at the corner of Broad and Belvidere, the ICA presents the art of our time with free admission, serving as a major resource for VCU, Richmond, and beyond. This position manages all aspects of exhibition production — art handling, audiovisual systems, fabrication, logistics, and gallery operations — working closely with curators, artists, registrars, and facilities staff to ensure exhibitions are executed safely, professionally, and to the highest museum standards. The Senior Preparator directs and supervises a team of part-time preparators and a full-time Preparator.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Project Management
  • Lead the planning, scheduling, and execution of all exhibition installations, commissions, and gallery rotations.
  • Develop and maintain positive working relationships with artists, curators, vendors, and institutional partners.
  • Coordinate and manage the daily activities of preparators and contractors.
  • Assign installation schedules and oversee workflow across multiple projects.
  • Provide technical guidance and training to installation staff.
  • Foster a collaborative and safety-focused work environment.
  • Hire, supervise, and manage a team of Art Handlers, Preparators, and Fabricators to develop and install installations.
• Exhibition Development & Commissions
  • Collaborate with curators, artists, and external partners to develop exhibition concepts and technical plans.
  • Evaluate project feasibility, budgets, schedules, and installation requirements for exhibitions and commissions.
  • Develop production timelines and coordinate exhibition implementation from concept through deinstallation.
  • Prepare technical drawings, layouts, and installation plans.
• Exhibition Design & Fabrication
  • Design exhibition layouts that support curatorial goals while maintaining visitor accessibility and safety.
  • Oversee or fabricate exhibition furniture, display systems, mounts, pedestals, walls, and custom components.
  • Manage outside fabricators and contractors when specialized production is required.
  • Maintain workshop equipment and ensure safe fabrication practices.
• Art Handling & Installation
  • Lead all artwork handling, packing, transportation, installation, and deinstallation.
  • Ensure proper care and preservation of artworks following museum best practices.
  • Support incoming and outgoing artwork logistics.
• Audio Visual & Digital Media
  • Plan, install, maintain, and troubleshoot audiovisual equipment for exhibitions.
  • Coordinate with artists and vendors on specialized media installations.
  • Manage software, hardware, projectors, monitors, sound systems, and interactive technologies as needed.
• Gallery, Workshop & Storage Management
  • Oversee the maintenance and presentation of galleries, ensuring exhibition spaces remain in excellent condition.
  • Manage workshop organization, equipment maintenance, and inventory.
  • Maintain organized and secure art storage and electronic equipment storage areas.
  • Monitor environmental and facility conditions affecting working areas.
• Budget & Operations
  • Manage exhibition production budgets with the Director of Exhibitions and Program Alignment.
  • Source materials and equipment while maintaining cost-effective purchasing practices.
  • Track expenditures and maintain production documentation.
  • Coordinate rentals and vendor contracts.
• Health & Safety
  • Ensure compliance with museum standards and workplace safety regulations.
  • Maintain safe operation of tools, lifts, ladders, and specialized equipment.
  • Develop and implement safe installation procedures.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Studio Art, Architecture, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in museum exhibition preparation, exhibition design, or art fabrication.
• Demonstrated experience leading exhibition installations and supervising technical staff.
• Strong woodworking, fabrication, and finish carpentry skills.
• Experience with audiovisual systems and media-based artworks.
• Knowledge of museum art handling standards and conservation best practices.
• Proficiency with design and drafting software (Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, or similar).
• Strong organizational, budgeting, and project management skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and safely operate shop equipment, ladders, scaffolding, and lifts.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with contemporary artists and complex commissioned artworks.
• Experience managing multiple exhibitions simultaneously.
• Familiarity with museum registration practices and collection management systems.
• OSHA safety training, forklift, or aerial lift certification is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Paid annual and holiday leave
• Generous tuition benefits
• Retirement planning and savings options
• Tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs
• Employee discounts
• Well-being resources
• Abundant opportunities for career development and advancement

Pay

Salary range: $62,000 – $72,000 per year.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week. FLSA status: Non-Exempt. Fully onsite position; no flexible work arrangement.