Lead Preparator
/Job Title:
Lead Preparator
Organization:
Vancouver Art Gallery
Deadline:
Jun. 9, 2026
Organization Description:
Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is recognized as one of North America’s most innovative visual arts institutions. The Gallery’s celebrated exhibitions, extensive public programs and emphasis on advancing scholarship all focus on historical and contemporary art from British Columbia and around the world. Special attention is given to the accomplishments of Indigenous artists, as well as to those of the Asia Pacific region through the Centre for Global Asias (formerly the Institute of Asian Art) founded in 2014. The Gallery’s exhibitions also explore the impact of images in the larger sphere of visual culture, design and architecture.
The Gallery’s new Art of Wellbeing Lab furthers its commitment to community by promoting the role of art in fostering health and wellbeing. Developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers and Indigenous Elders, the lab creates opportunities for individuals to engage with art in ways that support mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
The Vancouver Art Gallery is a charitable not-for-profit organization supported by its members, individual donors, corporate funders, foundations, the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Website:
Job Description:
The Vancouver Art Gallery is seeking a Lead Preparator to support the planning, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of exhibitions and collections. Working closely with the Director of Museum Services and teams across Registration, Conservation, Curatorial, AV, and Design, this role helps bring exhibitions to life while ensuring museum best practices for art handling and installation.
The Lead Preparator oversees exhibition production from concept through installation and de-installation, coordinating schedules, staffing, contractors, and technical requirements for multiple concurrent projects. The role includes supervising preparators and installation crews, mentoring junior staff, and leading onsite problem-solving during exhibition changeovers and special projects.
Responsibilities: The focus of your role will be supporting exhibition production and installation/maintenance. This will require you to:
Collaborate with curators, artists, designers, registrars, conservators, and AV staff to coordinate exhibition production and installations
Develop exhibition layouts, floor plans, installation strategies, and technical solutions
Identify fabrication, display, lighting, painting, and gallery alteration requirements
Coordinate custom fabrication, display cases, mounts, framing, and AV installations
Establish production schedules and oversee contractors, installation teams, and construction projects
Perform and supervise artwork handling, packing, crating, moving, hanging, and lighting installation
Ensure museum-standard care, storage, and transportation of artworks and collections
Maintain galleries, storage areas, tools, and equipment
Promote environmentally responsible exhibition practices through material reuse and waste reduction
Ensure compliance with workplace safety standards and safe operation of lifts, tools, and equipment
Qualifications:
You hold a bachelor’s degree in museum studies, studio art or a related field, plus a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in museum or gallery preparation or related work. You also have at least two (2) years in a supervisory position within a museum, gallery or studio environment. You have strong art handling and installation experience, with a wide range of contemporary artworks and media. Additional skills and abilities include:
Strong leadership, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills; experience supervising within a unionized environment is preferred
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency with AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and similar software
Knowledge of museum best practices, gallery lighting, fabrication, and workplace safety standards
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work with ladders, lifts, hand tools, and power tools, and to walk and stand for extended periods of time
How to Apply:
We encourage you to submit your application through our career portal by June 9, 2026, at 11:59pm. Please visit the Gallery website at www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/about and scroll to be bottom of the page to view all current job postings.
Please note that only applicants with Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or a valid work permit will be considered.
Remuneration:
$34.44 per hour
