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Lead Preparator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

McNay Art Museum

Preparator

San Antonio, TX

$19.06/hr

Coordinates day-to-day installation priorities and workflow as assigned by the Lead Preparator and Curator of Exhibitions. * Provides guidance to contractors during installation and de-installation ...

INNIO

Commissioning Coordinator

Houston, TX

Work closely with the designated work preparator to create, track, and close MyPlant events ... Organize and lead daily commissioning meetings (start-of-work and end-of-work), acting as meeting ...

Unf

Assistant Curator

Jacksonville, FL

$42K/yr

... the Registrar and Preparator. * Contribute to exhibition interpretation, layouts, and graphic ... Lead exhibition-related public programs and tours for diverse audiences. * Cultivate relationships ...

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How much do lead preparator jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead preparator in the United States is $25.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Preparator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Preparator, you need expertise in art handling, installation techniques, and a solid understanding of museum standards, often supported by experience in galleries or museums and relevant training. Familiarity with tools such as lifts, hand tools, crate construction, and collection management systems is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to lead and communicate effectively with teams are crucial soft skills. These abilities ensure the safe, efficient, and professional preparation and display of artworks, supporting both preservation and visitor experience.

What are some common challenges Lead Preparators face when coordinating art installation projects?

Lead Preparators often manage complex installation schedules, ensuring artwork is safely handled and displayed according to curatorial standards. Coordinating between curators, conservators, and technical staff can present communication challenges, especially when handling delicate or large-scale pieces. They must also adapt quickly to changing timelines or unexpected logistical issues, all while maintaining strict attention to detail and upholding museum or gallery safety protocols. These challenges require strong problem-solving skills and effective teamwork.

What are Lead Preparators?

Lead Preparators are professionals in museums, galleries, or exhibition spaces responsible for overseeing the installation, handling, and care of artworks and artifacts. They lead a team of preparators, coordinate logistics, ensure proper packing and transportation, and maintain safety standards during exhibition setup and takedown. Lead Preparators often collaborate with curators, registrars, and conservators to ensure that objects are displayed securely and according to best practices. Their expertise is crucial to preserving the integrity of collections and creating engaging visitor experiences.

What is the difference between Lead Preparator vs Art Preparator?

AspectLead PreparatorArt Preparator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; specialized trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent; specialized training
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, art institutionsMuseums, galleries, art institutions
ResponsibilitiesOversees prep team, manages projects, quality controlPrepares artworks, handles packing, cleaning, and installation
Common UsageLeadership role in art handling teamsHands-on art handling and preparation

The main difference between a Lead Preparator and an Art Preparator lies in their responsibilities. The Lead Preparator typically oversees the prep team, manages projects, and ensures quality control, while the Art Preparator focuses on the hands-on preparation, packing, and installation of artworks. Both roles require similar credentials and work in similar environments, but the Lead Preparator has a leadership and supervisory role within the art handling team.

More about Lead Preparator jobs
What job categories do people searching Lead Preparator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Preparator jobs are:
Lead Preparator jobs near you

Lead Preparator

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

San Marino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

About Us
At The Huntington, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to support and promote the appreciation of the humanities, the arts, and botanical science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.
The Huntington
Founded in 1919, The Huntington is a collections-based research and educational institution open to the public, housing world-class library, art, and botanical collections. Its mission is to support research and promote education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science and to display and interpret its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences.
The Culture
Here we are committed to the highest of standards in all that we do - from preserving and protecting the collections, to exhibitions, educational and scholarly programming, visitor and reader services, and beyond. Achieving excellence across these pursuits requires a diversity of perspectives, expertise, experience, and methodologies.
At The Huntington, our organizational Culture is shaped by the following core values: Intellectual curiosity, Collaboration, Stewardship, Belonging, and Integrity.
  • Intellectual Curiosity: Knowledge, lifelong learning, and a spirit of inquiry are at the core of our mission and organizational culture.
  • Collaboration: Teamwork and a collaborative attitude are important at all levels of The Huntington. We foster relationships internally among our departments and externally with organizations throughout the community.
  • Stewardship: We are committed to the care and development of our collections, our financial and physical resources, our staff, and our community.
  • Belonging: We strive to attract and maintain a workforce of individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives. Our organizational culture promotes a sense of welcome, inclusion, and connection.
  • Integrity: We value respect and honesty, working to fulfill our mission with honor and ethical principles.

Job Description
About the Role
The Lead Preparator is a senior member of The Huntington's Preparation team, under Registration and Collections Management. This position is integral in the consistent planning and implementation of the institution's schedule of special exhibitions, permanent collection rotations, and collections care. The Lead Preparator's primary responsibility is to prepare for and execute installations of Library, Art and Botanical exhibitions and outgoing loans, with a small team of preparators. They are responsible for handling, packing, transporting and storing artworks according to museum standards and training junior staff in these procedures. Reports to Head of Preparations.
Essential Duties
  • Leads the installation/de-installation of exhibitions, gallery rotations, collections rehousing projects and all related work, in collaboration with Registration, Exhibitions, Preservation and Curatorial colleagues. Duties will include, but are not limited to:
    • Receiving, unpacking and packing artwork
    • Placement and hanging of artwork
    • Exhibition lighting
    • Creating or modifying mounts and case buildups
    • Retrofitting crate interiors
    • Wall and case repair
  • Independently maintains their schedule of tasks and coordinates with Head of Preparations, registrars, conservators, and exhibition coordinators to plan out and execute the annual exhibition program
  • Delegates tasks to and supervises a small team of preparators
  • Maintains quality control in all operations
  • Provides guidance to Broad DAP apprentices during their placements at The Huntington
  • Plans and executes outgoing loan preparations
  • Provides support in the installation of A/V components
  • Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of gallery spaces, exhibition lighting and A/V elements
  • Attends planning meetings and object review sessions
  • Oversees frame buildouts for historic paintings
  • Designs and implements training program in Huntington object prep procedures
  • Maintains clean, well-organized and safe work and storage spaces
  • Works with Registration and Collections Management colleagues to transport art between collections storage facilities and galleries, and to off-site locations for framing, photography, loan return/pickup, etc.
  • Ensures adherence to SOPs and safety protocols in all operations (ladders, truck liftgate, scissor lift, forklift, order picker, etc.)
  • Collaborates with colleagues in Registration, Preservation, Security, and Facilities to maintain Emergency Preparedness Plan for collections and loan material
  • Procures materials and processes payments
  • Provides status updates on ongoing projects
  • Participates in HVAC monitoring

Candidate Requirements and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in studio art, art history, or equivalent experience
  • At least six years of experience in preparation, collections management, and installation in a public gallery or museum setting
  • Mastery of art-handling procedures, including packing and crating for two and three-dimensional objects in a variety of materials, sizes and weights
  • Expertise in industry standard materials, processes, equipment, and safety protocols
  • Working knowledge of works on paper preparation methods (mounting, matting, framing)
  • Experience with carpentry, metalworking and acrylic fabrication
  • Experience using heavy equipment, including scissor-lift, gantry, pallet jack, and pedal lift required
  • Demonstrated experience with project management and task delegation
  • Advanced rigging skills strongly preferred
  • Must have work experience driving a medium-size truck
  • Maintains TSA certified screener status
  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds
  • Must be comfortable climbing ladders and working at height

Other Desirable Qualifications:
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with museum staff, representatives from other arts institutions, consultants, artists, and vendors
  • Ability to plan, prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines
  • Ability to ensure adherence to the institution's values in all activities
  • Safe driving record; work experience driving a medium-size truck
  • Facility with word processing, Excel, Microsoft suite
  • Proven solutions-oriented, diplomatic problem solver and true team player
  • Outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Working knowledge of electrical wiring

Compensation & Benefits
We provide competitive compensation, generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees including:
  • Pay Range: $32.00-$33.00. Commensurate with experience.
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • 403(b) retirement plan and matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
  • Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays
  • Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants
  • Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
  • Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds

The Application Process
Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume as a single PDF attachment.
You will have the opportunity to submit additional documents on the "My Experience" section of the application.

Apply