Preparator/Fabricator (On-Call/Temporary/Seasonal)

About the role

The Visual Art Department at MASS MoCA is seeking skilled on-call fabricators and preparators to support larger installations throughout the museum. This is an evergreen job posting that remains open to support installations year-round.

Responsibilities

• Art handling, including unloading and loading trucks, packing and unpacking fine art works, and working with registrars to safely install art.
• Construction and manual labor, including light demolition, moving large objects with material handling equipment (excluding forklifts), painting, sanding, cleaning, and other tasks related to exhibition installation in a museum environment.
• Working with a team to assemble large and complex artworks.
• Custom fabrication based on skill and experience, ranging from woodworking to metalworking, sculptural processes, etc.
• Maintaining a positive rapport with colleagues and artists through challenging and complex installations.
• Maintaining safe working spaces through clear communication and tidiness.

Requirements

• Minimum two years' work in the field of fabrication and art installation.
• Bachelor's degree in Art and Design (or equivalent experience)—we are open to any combination of alternative experience and school that you feel qualifies you for this position.
• Excellent work ethic, craftsmanship, practical problem-solving, creative thinking, embracing collaborative practice, and understanding of team spirit.
• The ability to communicate clearly with colleagues, collaborators, and artists.
• A high level of professional consideration for the art in our care.
• Knowledge of standards for packing, crating, handling, and installing artworks.
• Experience working in construction, in a workshop or fabrication shop.

Preferred Skills

• Experience, confidence, ability in MIG, TIG, oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, arc welding, plasma cutting, and miscellaneous metal engineering machines.
• Knowledge of health and safety measures essential to all of the above processes.
• Work comfortably and safely with height and have experience using ladders and scaffolding.
• Experience on scissor lifts is not required.
• Experience with AV equipment and installation.
• Art-handling and packing etiquette, for installation and deinstallation.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter online. The application also includes a few brief questions to help us better understand your experience and interest in the role. Incomplete applications—including those missing the requested documents—may not be fully considered.