Exhibitions Department Art Handler- Yale University Art Gallery

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Overview
Reporting to the Exhibition Production Manager and participating with a team of art handling technicians, the position performs all tasks necessary for the safe and efficient installation of museum exhibitions. Restores, maintains, and prepares objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. Designs and constructs museum exhibits, frames, housing, mounts, display cases, and lighting, ensuring artistic effort and scientific accuracy. Performs minor conservation treatments and recommends professional intervention when necessary. Instructs and oversees support staff in the handling, moving, packing, and unpacking of works of art. Coordinates logistics for safe transportation of artworks and maintains inventory of supplies and tools. Acts as a liaison between curators, conservators, and other museum staff to meet project requirements and ensure adherence to museum standards. Provides technical support for exhibitions, monitors environmental conditions, and ensures the safety and preservation of the collection.​

•  Install artwork and exhibition material as directed by supervisors, curators, or exhibit design drawings.

•  Move works of art between storage, exhibition, photography, shipping, and other museum areas employing methods from hand-carry to specialized mechanical means, depending on size, weight and condition.

• Perform object handling and related activities including cleaning, repairing, assembling objects or architectural elements under the supervision of a conservator and/or registrar.

• Hang, level, and secure paintings, prints, drawings and photographs. Position, mount and secure large and small sculptures.

• Assist with matting, framing, packing, and unpacking of works of art for transport using established methods and materials.

• Work with both temporary and special exhibitions to install and secure wall panels, platforms, display cases, pedestals, labels and signs.

• Construct and upholster case interior components.

• Assist with the maintenance of art storage spaces; vacuum and dust art storage room and furniture; add or replace materials, as needed, to protect or support works while in storage.

•  Create and enter data into inventory system, following location change procedures.

•  Utilize hand-held bar code scanner for tracking locations in warehouse or storage areas. 

• Perform duties as assigned and according to a schedule that might rotate or change to accommodate work demands or staffing variations.

• Other duties as requested and/or required.

Required Skills and Abilities
1.    Ability to read plans and elevations and translate into an safe, efficient, work plan for installing museum exhibitions
2.    Ability to safely handle works of art.
3.    Self-directed; ability to take initiative and anticipate actions needed.
4.    Working knowledge of a variety of materials; hard and soft wood, plywood, Plexiglas and fabrics.  Working knowledge of a variety of hand tools and hardware required for art installation including: cordless drills/drivers, impact drivers, hammer drills, D-rings, anchors, French cleats, z-bar hangers, etc.
5.    Ability to perform all tasks following strict safety guidelines. 

Preferred Skills and Abilities
1.    Experience working at an art museum or gallery.
2.    Experience with museum best practices for handling, packing, installing and storing works of art.
3.    Working knowledge of case, platform, pedestal fabrication.
 

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Designs and/or constructs museum exhibits, frames, housing, mounts, display case, lighting, theatrical sets and theatre costumes through use of specialized woodworking, metal working, welding, carpentry, electrical, glazing, draping, patterning and stitchery techniques. 2. Fabricates and reproduces specimens, backgrounds and structures, ensuring artistic effort and scientific accuracy. Mats, frames and unframes works of art. 3. Performs minor conservation treatment (mending small tears, surface cleaning) and recommends conservator attendance when necessary. Maintains facility, climate control systems, exhibits, costumes, collections, and workshop tools and machinery. 4. Oversees and instructs support staff. Installs and disassembles exhibits and sets. Prepares collection for exhibition. Handles, moves, packs and unpacks works of art for exhibits, storage and loan utilizing specialized methods and materials. 5. May act as courier for artwork. Orders material and supplies. Develops time and cost estimates. Monitors budget and other financial material. Communicates with designers, exhibit originators, conservators and curators to provide and obtain information. 6. May conduct research related to construction activities. Inputs to and retrieves information from museum collection management database and other computerized systems. 7. Performs clerical functions incidental to construction activities.

Required Education and Experience

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and a high school education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate’s degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Job Posting Date

06/25/2026

Job Category

Technician

Bargaining Unit

L34

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade D

Compensation Grade Profile

Hourly Range

$31.83

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff Fixed Duration (Fixed Term)

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

The hiring rate of a role is determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.