Art Handler - Part Time, Temporary

Founded in 1978, Mingei International Museum collects, preserves and exhibits “art of the world, art of the people,” including folk art, craft, and design from all eras and cultures. Located in San Diego’s iconic Balboa Park, our highly respected museum offers stunning exhibitions and diverse educational programs to more than 200,000 visitors each year. The Museum is a nonprofit organization.

Mingei has a deep commitment to creating a space where people are inspired to see their own world through new eyes and, in turn, rediscover, embrace, and nurture their own creativity. The recently transformed Museum is a place where all are welcome, where the community can gather, and where individuals can rest and find creative inspiration.

The position will assist Exhibition Department staff to deinstall, prepare the gallery, and install artwork for exhibitions.

• Assist in deinstalling artwork from closing exhibition(s)
• Paint, patch, and prep gallery walls; general gallery change over preparation
• Build exhibition furniture as needed
• Clean gallery furniture/vitrines as necessary as well as general gallery cleaning during installation/deinstallation
• Pack artwork for return shipment
• Install artwork for upcoming exhibition(s)
• Assist Preparator with other install duties as necessary

• Education:
  
  High School diploma required; associates degree or certification in museum
  related experience preferred;
  Museum internship experience also accepted
• Knowledge of proper handling of various art mediums
• Ability to identify and execute best way to pack art objects for travel
• Ability to identify the safest way to install art objects
• Be able to multitask and take direction
• Flexibility as it relates to shifting priorities and problem solving
• Ability to climb ladders
• Lift at least 50lbs, sometimes overhead
• Stand and be on your feet for long periods of time
• Comfortable operating a pallet jack
• Has previous installation experience with a gallery, museum, fabrication and/or as an
  artist assistant.
• Experience making exhibition mounts
• Experience fabricating exhibition furniture/walls
• Familiarity with power tools and installation hardware

This temporary position is a part-time, nonexempt position, paid at $21.50 per hour. The expected days for this position are 7.5 hours per day Monday, Wednesday and Friday from September 20 to October 16, 2026 and November 2 through November 20th, 2026 at which time this temporary position will end.