Lead Preparator & Assistant Registrar
Full-Time, Exempt
Catharine Clark Gallery seeks an organized, experienced, and collaborative candidate to oversee exhibition installation, artwork logistics, storage, and registration across the gallery’s exhibitions and off-site projects.
This position plans and implements exhibition installations; coordinates artwork handling, shipping, storage, and inventory workflows; and serves as the primary staff lead during installation periods. The role works closely with artists, gallery leadership, the registrar, fabricators, shippers, collectors, and vendors to ensure the safe, efficient, and professional presentation of artworks.
The ideal candidate combines strong technical preparation skills with excellent organization, clear communication, project management experience, a positive attitude, and knowledge of contemporary art handling and registration practices.
Schedule & Benefits
Tuesday–Friday, except during install week, when the schedule is Sunday–Friday. Benefits: 3.5 weeks paid time off, 401(k) eligibility after 3 months and a positive review, with a 3% annual gallery contribution, and a $300/month healthcare contribution after 3 months and a positive review.
Key Responsibilities
Lead exhibition installation and artwork presentation in consultation with artists and gallery leadership. Coordinate lighting, wall prep, packing, logistics, and storage. Supervise art handlers, fabricators, conservators, and vendors as needed.
Maintain professional standards for handling, documentation, labeling, storage, and art movement, and for presentation of gallery, storage, and work areas. Support registration workflows, location tracking, deaccessioning, shipping records, and inventory. Oversee racks, flat files, crates, pedestals, display furniture, storage areas, and workspaces.
Coordinate exhibition tasks: patching, painting, lighting, display, media installations. Attend weekly staff meetings and communicate clearly about timelines, logistics, and operational priorities.
Qualifications
3 years of experience in art handling, exhibition installation, registration, or gallery preparation. Knowledge of art handling, packing, shipping, storage, and safety protocols. Art databases experience. Media installation experience. Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Driver’s license.
