Exhibitions Preparator Assistant

Racine Art Museum Association, Inc. Job Posting

Position Title: Exhibitions Preparator Assistant

Date: February 2026

Department: Exhibitions and Collections

Status: Salaried, Exempt

Reports to: Director of Exhibitions and Collections /Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer

Direct Reports: N/A

Salary: $37,000 – $40,000

About Racine Art Museum

The Racine Art Museum Association’s (RAMA’s) two-campus organization consists of the Racine Art Museum (RAM) and the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts (Wustum). Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, RAM opened in May 2003 and expanded the work of the 85-year-old Wustum. It has become a popular destination for the 11 million residents of the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor and visitors from across the US and beyond. RAMA operates both locations, using Wustum as its visual education center and the downtown campus, RAM, as home to its internationally recognized exhibitions of contemporary craft. RAM holds the largest collection of contemporary craft art (ceramics, wood, glass, fiber, metal, and art jewelry) in the United States. RAMA’s programs enhance rather than duplicate those offered by larger museums to the north and south. RAMA has been considered a leader in providing high quality arts education to people of all ages since the 1940s. Today, Wustum houses one of the largest studio arts education programs of any museum in Wisconsin. The museums are accredited by the American Association of Museums, Washington, DC—only 3% of US museums have this distinction.

RAMA is seeking a candidate that is enthusiastic, team oriented, and proactive with the ability to work creatively and independently to join our dedicated and collaborative team.

General Summary of Position:

Under the direction of the Director of Exhibitions and Collections and supervision of daily activities by the Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, this position assists the Exhibitions and Collections Departments in the performance of routine preparatory duties including the preparation and installation of exhibitions; maintaining and caring for the permanent collection; handling, packing, storing, shipping, receiving, unpacking; and transporting art works that are in the Museum’s care. This position serves both RAM and Wustum (two physically separate museums) as well as local offsite storage locations. Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Principal Job Functions:

Under the direction of appropriate staff and as reporting to the Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, assists with installation of exhibitions and works of art on display at both museum campuses.

·        Prepare and clean exhibition/display space, including addressing painting and construction as needed.

·        Prepare, move, and place exhibition furniture.

·        Prepare, move, and place/handle works of art.

·        Establishing appropriate lighting and security for objects on display.

·        Install exhibition signage.

·        Work directly with artists who are installing on-site.

·        Coordinate and co-create education and outreach displays such as touch samples or educational materials such as video, books, etc.

With input from appropriate staff and as reporting to the Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, install exhibitions in non-gallery locations and special projects.

·        Work on exhibitions/events/special projects such as the Holiday Tree, regularly occurring art sales, outdoor installations, and others.

·        Prepare and clean exhibition/display space, including addressing painting and construction as needed.

·        Prepare, move, and place exhibition furniture.

·        Prepare, move, and place/handle works of art.

·        Establish appropriate lighting and security for objects on display.

·        Install exhibition signage.

·        Work with artists installing on site as needed.

·        Coordinate and co-create education and outreach displays such as touch samples or educational materials such as video, books, etc.

Handle and transport works of art.

·        Receive and unpack incoming/outgoing work; move and place work for storage and for exhibition; ship and pack work for transport. Work with Registrar/Collections Manager as needed.

·        Work with appropriate staff to identify adequate storage for all loaned objects when not yet on view.

·        Move objects between RAM and Wustum campuses and from off-site storage locations.

·        Work with the Registrar/Collections Manager to implement the transport and storage of incoming gifts, conservation, and exhibition loans.

·        Assist with the packaging and shipping of articles sold by the Museum Store as needed.

·        Package and transport works of art from donors and lenders or to/from conservation.

Under the direction of appropriate staff and as reporting to the Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, maintain and care for the permanent collection.

·        Place works of art in storage; maintain, organize, and clean the storage spaces.

·        Make objects available for catalogue or promotional photography.

General gallery/building safety and security.

·        With guidance from Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, provide training to co-workers for proper opening/closing procedures as needed.

·        With guidance from Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, maintain up-to-date opening/closing written instructions available for staff reference.

·        With guidance from Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, communicate changes via email, etc. in opening/closing procedures as they pertain to specific exhibitions.

·        Share responsibility with various staff for securely opening and closing the RAM building (lights, locking/unlocking, etc.)

·        Work with Registrar/Collections Manager to implement security procedures for galleries, building, and works of art.

·        Work with staff to maintain all aspects of gallery functionality.

·        Perform general housekeeping duties in exhibition areas.

·        Work with Facilities Manager and appropriate staff to coordinate tasks as needed.

·        Work with appropriate staff to share responsibility for shipping and receiving of packages at the loading dock and for maintaining that space.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position generally works in display, storage, and warehouse conditions. This is a physical position and requires the ability to safely lift/move art that could be fragile and/or of considerable weight. It is mandatory that the Preparator exercises self-awareness of the task at hand and obtains assistance from others as necessary for personal safety and to ensure protection of the art. Also required is the ability to climb ladders, use hand tools, and operate machinery such as a scissors lift. A valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle that could be used to perform some work-related duties is required.

Other Required Knowledge and Skills

·        Ability to balance physical labor, attention to detail, and problem-solving.

·        Ability to complete a variety of tasks, sometimes under strenuous deadlines.

·        Ability to perform mathematically-oriented tasks such as determining gallery height for hanging work and calculating for proper matting and framing.

·        Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with artists, co-workers, interns, and lenders.

·        Working knowledge of Art history, Art Education, Studio Art, or related subjects.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Previous experience in exhibit spaces, historical/art museums, galleries, or display venues desired.

Other Duties as Assigned: This job description is not designed to cover or contain comprehensive listings of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

Benefits:

Benefits include two weeks (10 days) paid vacation, group term life and disability insurance, eleven paid holidays, five personal/sick days, and compensatory time off immediately following the first full day of employment. Group health insurance, with employer paying 85% of the premium, is available following the first full month of employment. A retirement plan is available on the first enrollment date (January 1 or July 1) following 12 months of employment with a generous employer match/contribution. Employee discounts are available on studio art class fees and on purchases in the Museum Store.

Equal Opportunity

RAMA complies with all Federal and State anti-discrimination statutes and does not discriminate for any reasons outlined in Federal or State law. This policy will be in effect in all hiring situations for full-time as well as part-time employees, temporary part-time employees, educational instructors, interns, and for the volunteers who enhance staff functions.

Mail or email cover letter and resume to:

Lena Vigna, Director of Exhibitions and Collections

Racine Art Museum and Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts

PO Box 187

441 Main Street

Racine, WI 53403

lvigna@ramart.org

No Phone Calls, Please