Temporary Art Handler

About the Museum

Founded in 1978, Mingei International Museum collects, preserves and exhibits “art of the world, art of the people,” including folk art, craft, and design from all eras and cultures. Located in San Diego’s iconic Balboa Park, the museum offers stunning exhibitions and diverse educational programs to more than 200,000 visitors each year. Mingei is a nonprofit organization with a deep commitment to creating a space where people are inspired to see their own world through new eyes and rediscover, embrace, and nurture their own creativity.

About the Role

The position will assist Exhibition Department staff to deinstall, prepare the gallery, and install artwork for exhibitions.

Responsibilities

• Assist in deinstalling artwork from closing exhibition(s)
• Paint, patch, and prep gallery walls; general gallery change over preparation
• Build exhibition furniture as needed
• Clean gallery furniture/vitrines as well as general gallery cleaning during installation/deinstallation
• Pack artwork for return shipment
• Install artwork for upcoming exhibition(s)
• Assist Preparator with other install duties as necessary

Requirements

• High School diploma required; associates degree or certification in museum-related experience preferred; Museum internship experience also accepted
• Knowledge of proper handling of various art mediums
• Ability to identify and execute best way to pack art objects for travel
• Ability to identify the safest way to install art objects
• Be able to multitask and take direction
• Flexibility as it relates to shifting priorities and problem solving
• Ability to climb ladders
• Lift at least 50lbs, sometimes overhead
• Stand and be on your feet for long periods of time
• Comfortable operating a pallet jack
• Previous installation experience with a gallery, museum, fabrication, and/or as an artist assistant
• Experience making exhibition mounts
• Experience fabricating exhibition furniture/walls
• Familiarity with power tools and installation hardware

Pay

$21.50 per hour.

Schedule

This is a part-time, temporary position with expected days of 7.5 hours per day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from September 20 to October 16, 2026, and November 2 through November 20, 2026.