Chief Preparator

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART

As the first museum to focus exclusively on storytelling through images, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes that visual storytelling can connect us and help shape a more just society. With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the Lucas Museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world.

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson and led by director and CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events. www.lucasmuseum.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director, Museum Services, the Chief Preparator will lead the Art Prep & Installation team as well as oversee gallery installation and maintenance. This position will manage a team of preparators working in exhibition-based logistics including mount making, carpentry, fabrication, crating, framing, installation, and transport. The ideal candidate will have experience with shop planning and management, including metal and wood shop fabrication processes, as well as a confident knowledge of large-scale rigging projects, using professional grade woodworking tools, lifts, and other heavy machinery. This position will collaborate with the larger Curatorial & Collections portfolio to build budgets for departmental needs, special projects, and associated project timelines in and around the museum. Through team building, mentoring and clear communication, this position will assist in the creation and support of a robust installation and rotation process to ensure best practices and departmental goals are met.

• Manages all members of the preparations team, including hiring, orienting, training and mentoring a team of full-time permanent and on-call preparators
• Creates and manages schedules, budgets, and other deliverables in collaboration with the Director, Museum Services
• Oversees facilities and equipment in multiple locations, including coordination with Collections Management and Facilities team for all on and offsite needs, safety standard and practice compliance, access and training protocols, and procurement processes
• In coordination with other departments, facilitates processes related to exhibition installation and deinstallation, gallery maintenance and rotations, and special projects
• Oversees safe installation and deinstallation of artworks in the galleries
• Evaluates, engages, and manages vendors needed for fabrication, equipment rentals, rigging, transportation, and service needed for duties as assigned
• Collaborates with Collections Management, Registration, Exhibitions, Design, IT, and Facilities to identify and plan collections and exhibitions projects involving mount making, framing, casework fabrication and management, rigging, tech installation, and lighting throughout the museum and grounds
• Special projects and other duties as designated by Director, Museum Services

• Planning & Organizing-Experience building project plans that involve multiple stakeholders, milestones, and dependencies; Strong attention to details and organization; Proficiency in creating and managing multi-faceted schedules and project plans; Sets clearly defined objectives; plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances; manages time effectively; identifies and organizes resources needed to accomplish tasks; monitors performance against deadlines and milestones
• Adapting & Responding to Change- Ability to be agile with work location and can support the collections management and preparations teams wherever the projects take place; Adapts to changing circumstances; accepts new ideas and change initiatives; Adapts interpersonal style to suit different people or situations; Shows respect and sensitivity towards differences; deals with ambiguity, making positive use of the opportunities it presents
• Adhering to Principles & Values Upholds ethics and values; demonstrates integrity; Promotes and defends equal opportunities, builds diverse teams; encourages organizational and individual responsibility
• Presenting & Communicating Information- Speaks clearly and fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; Makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback
• Working with People- Experience managing preparations teams and leading them to complete simultaneous projects on schedule and within budget; Demonstrates an interest in and understanding of others; Adapts to the team and builds team spirit; Recognizes and rewards the contribution of others; Listens, consults others and communicates proactively; Supports and cares for others; develops and openly communicates self-insight
• Systems Knowledge and Commitment to Best Practices - Extensive knowledge and background in preparations and installation processes and best practices including fabrication requirements to meet archival standards, framing techniques for both historical and contemporary works, mount making and casework fabrication for seismic security, and gallery maintenance and preparations standards; Experience and base understanding of rigging and load planning including working with forklifts and other heavy machinery, coordinating with contractors involved in large scale craning, and general rigging best practices

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

MISSION AND VISION

We are a museum dedicated to the art of storytelling. Through visual storytelling the Lucas Museum expands the role of art and museums for society. The Museum inspires thought provoking ideas and conversations that are relevant within and beyond geographic boundaries. Our work radiates to catalyze more connected and empathetic spaces. The art of storytelling connects us to shape a more just society.

VALUES

Our internal and external practice is shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

PEOPLE FIRST

We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what people find meaningful, to works of art and the work of our organization.

INSPIRED

We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

COLLABORATIVE

We believe that nimble thinking and working together yields exponential results.

BRAVE

We approach our work and learning with courage, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.

4 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

ART

Amplify the social impact of Narrative Art through an approach that bridges the academic and the popular.

COMMUNITY

Connect to a broad and diverse public by create an institution rooted in impactful, respectful, sustainable relationships.

INCLUSION

Practice diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging in all operational and programmatic aspects of our work.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Create a healthy and durable institution equipped to fulfill its vision and public mandate.

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).

Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all new hires to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical and/or religious exemption. Upon hire, all new hires will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy.  Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.