PREPARATOR PART-TIME

PREPARATOR PART-TIME

HAROLD WASHINGTON COLLEGE

CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city.  The community college system’s more than 3,500 faculty and staff serve more than 70,000 students annually at seven colleges and five satellite sites.

Reporting to the Dean of Instruction, the Preparator (PT) is responsible for assisting faculty/curators in the archiving, handling, storage, and display of all art pieces in HWC’s permanent collection including sculptures, paintings, and art photography.  The Preparator (PT) also works collaboratively with curators and staff in the planning, design, and installation of works of art for permanent and temporary exhibitions at HWC, including the President’s Gallery and other spaces on campus; and ensures the  permanent art collection is stored under safe and proper conditions.  Performs related duties as required.   

Harold Washington College is proud to be a member of the Caring Campus network. Caring Campus is a model of professional development that works to implement strong and consistent behavioral commitments for all employees in regard to how they interact with students. As a result of this work, employees become engaged with students on a level that has not occurred before. The core benefit of this work is making a connection with students, many of whom have not had an adult who has cared about them in an educational system.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Works closely with faculty/curators to plan, design, and organize new exhibitions on campus using art pieces from permanent collection or on loan from various artists and organizations.
• Plans and coordinates the installation of art pieces from HWC’s permanent collection around campus, in both organized exhibition spaces and as individual works outside exhibition spaces.
• Prepares labels and educational wall text providing information on individual art pieces in exhibition.
• Prepares art works from HJWC’s permanent collection for temporary and travelling exhibitions, performing activities such as packing, unpacking, framing, unframing, and mounting of works.
• Guides and directs facilities/maintenance staff in the mounting and hanging of art works on walls, the placement of display materials, arrangement of lighting, and the installation of signage.
• Schedules and coordinates preparations of physical space for exhibitions; monitors work of college’s facilities department preparing wall space for installations, constructing pedestal and display structures, light installation, painting, and related prepping of physical space.

• Works with faculty/curator to ensure the safe and proper packing and storing of HWC’s permanent collection in storage.   Monitors storage conditions to prevent damage to art pieces.
• Prepares various printed materials and programs describing exhibitions and art collections.  Works with Marketing Department to finalize publications and schedule printing.
• Catalogues individual pieces of art in HWC’s permanent collection to create art archive.  Maintains and updates database by creating records describing each piece of art including artist and date acquired or donated to HWC. 
• Adds new acquisitions to the collection; tracks locations and condition of works; and deaccessions when necessary.
• Provides high quality photographic and digital documentation of permanent collection objects.
• Maintains art exhibitions web page on the HWC website.  Works with Marketing Department to publicize exhibitions using various social media platforms.
• Maintains inventory of supplies and materials (plinths, framing supplies, and all other artwork presentation materials).   
• Work with vendors to acquire supplies for exhibitions and other materials relating to the maintenance of permanent collection.
• Assists faculty/curator with the loaning out of individual permanent collection works.
• Assists in managing gallery/exhibition opening and closing events.  Assigns gallery sitters as needed.
• Responds to non-curatorial inquiries involving exhibitions and the permanent collection.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To                          Dean of Instruction

Direct Supervision          None

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Fine Arts or related field
• One year of experience in a preparator position including matting and framing art works
• Work experience in a museum, art gallery or comparable environment desirable
• Equivalent combination of training and experience may be taken into consideration
• Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 25 pounds unassisted and 50 pounds assisted
• Familiarity with best practices in the handling of art works including packing/unpacking, crating/uncrating, and moving art within building for maximum safety
• Attention to detail and good organizational skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A collegial spirit and cooperative approach that facilitates working closely with others
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• This is a part-time position that will be scheduled for no more than 29 hours per week

   

Salary Range: Salary: Per 1600 contract, $21.31 per hour for Bachelor’s degree, $24.59 per Master’s degree

Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

Benefits information is found at Health and Benefits - City Colleges of Chicago

WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire. 

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. 

Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago!

Approved by Compensation Design & Strategy                                  Date: September 1, 2022

The intent of this job description is to provide a general description of the duties and responsibilities of this position.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive set of the duties and responsibilities, nor all of the necessary qualifications to perform the work.