Job Posting: Mountmaker, J. Paul Getty Museum (Pacific Palisades, CA, USA)

  • Requisition Number: 2016-2857
  • Position Status: LT Full-Time
  • Salaried/Hourly: Hourly
  • Category: Conservation
  • Getty Location: Getty Villa
  • Program/Dept. : Museum – 0316-Antiquities Conservation

Job Summary
The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks a qualified Mountmaker to assist the Antiquities Conservation department with the reinstallation of Getty Villa Museum collections. The position is an 18-month limited term position located at the Getty Villa Museum. Under minimal supervision, designs and fabricates mounts for the display and storage of art objects. Undertakes material research and develops advanced knowledge of the safe display and housing of works of art. Collaborates with conservators by providing expertise and fabricating fixtures, supports during conservation treatments. Designs packing systems for traveling collection items and may install and de-install objects in exhibitions and permanent galleries.
Major Job Responsibilities

  • Applies knowledge of current best practice in conservation ethics and mountmaking techniques, policies and procedures to moderately complex tasks
  • Fabricates mounts and fixtures for objects and loans for public display and storage
  • Collaborates on the installation and de-installation of exhibitions
  • Assists conservators in the design and production of both temporary and long term mounts and fixtures to aid in conservation treatments
  • Collaborates on research and selects concepts, materials and technologies to use in the fabrication of mounts and fixtures
  • Retrieves from storage, handles and transports works of art
  • Maintains inventory and shop equipment and documentation related to loans and exhibitions for future reference
  • May collaborate with conservators to effectively integrate seismic resistant mounts
  • May be asked to make presentations to professional audiences or the general public
  • May be asked to advise colleagues from other institutions
  • Maintains written and photographic documentation of all work
  • May courier works of art for loan exhibitions

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in fine arts, studio arts, conservation, design, engineering or industrial arts
  • 5-7 years experience in design and fabrication of mounts and handling of art objects, preferably in a museum

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Fabrication experience in a variety of common materials and techniques (machining, welding, shop tool use)
  • Knowledge of proper art handling protocols
  • Comprehension of seismic mitigation principles and techniques
  • Ability to visualize physical/ mechanical solutions to moderately complex structural and dynamic problems
  • Competent with computer software aided design and analysis

For more information about this opportunity and to apply, visit: https://jobs-getty.icims.com/jobs/2857/mountmaker/job