2012 Art Handler Training Program

BCADC | Fine Arts/Tech Services Bureau | Art Handler Training Program | Artisans Initiative

Art Handler Training Program


BCA Fine Arts & Technical Services is pleased to announce the 2012 Intensive Art Handler Training Program (AHTP). Online applications are now available. The AHTP application process is competitive and open to individuals looking to pursue a career in the art handling / fine arts industry. The program is designed as a forum, which stress the practical application of generally accepted principles of art handling. In addition, there are externship and internship opportunities available to graduates upon completion of training. Deadline for submissions and other required documentation: Friday, February 17, 2012.

History The BCA Art Handler Training Program is 14 years old. Since its inception in 1998 the program has trained over 135 individuals who have been employed by renown institutions as the Smithsonian, Sothebys, and MoMA, the Brooklyn Museum and a whole host of private and public galleries. Many of the AHTP graduates are sought after and employed by some of the most prestigious art institutions in the country as registrars, exhibit installers, site prep supervisors, fine arts specialists. In addition, recent graduates have had opportunities to meet with and even work on art projects with the established artist like Frank Stella and Kehinde Wiley. Internship opportunities with our partners afford participants an option to develope expertise in specialized areas such as framing, crating, conservation, paperworks, artworks-- staging, layout and design. In addition, some of our more successful graduates have assumed positions as fine art administrators or art handling educators.

Professional Art Handler Technician: Job description
Art Handlers are responsible for the maintenance and movement of fine artworks and artifacts. Responsibilities include shipping and receiving, packing and unpacking, intake and preparation for display, exhibition installation and de-installation.

Salary Range w/ Experience
The yearly salary for an experienced full-time art handler ranges from $25,000 to $70,000 or $15.00 to $40.00 per hour for seasonal or provisional free-lancers.

Career Development
Participants are offered personal and small business management counseling, individual assessment and evaluation sessions and marketing workshops to ensure job and market readiness. BCA Fine Arts & Technical Services coordinates community-based services and functions as market developers to assist participants in launching and expanding careers in arts establishments and as entrepreneurs. Trainees are encouraged to specialize and augment their skills through Continuing Education coursework, computer applications classes and CDL Licensing.

Criteria
BCA Fine Arts Technical Services is a cross-section of art industry professionals whose experience and expertise is invaluable to the ongoing upgrades and improvements to the AHTP. Their input and development of standards and criteria for program participants include: assessing basic, verbal, mathematical and measuring skills; establishing minimum requirements for physical strength and agility; examining familiarity with hand tools (hammers, saws, screwdrivers, etc.) and elementary construction materials; demonstratively, a level of safety and care in a team environment.

New Training Cycle: Friday, March 9 – Saturday, April 28, 2012. BCA’s Art Handler Certificate Program offers participants an opportunity to learn new skills or enhance existing skill sets, and to equip museum and gallery directors with the technical skills to design and develop innovative operational protocols for risk management, logistics and loss prevention. Workshops are structured as 1 or 2 day sessions that cover topics such as re-framing, stretching and rolling of canvases, installation, mounting and hanging of artworks. Art handler Training certificate Program serves as an introduction to conservator practices (sculpture, woodwork, glass / ceramics, tapestry and canvas, paperwork mounting and matting, tools and hardware of the trade.
2 full-day classroom sessions per week for 8 consecutive weeks (120 Hours) Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm BCA’s art handling curriculum is dynamic and designed to capitalize on strengths that each individual brings into the program. The program has evolved over the years to include art history, on-line video instruction, business and marketing development. Click here for online application.

Guidelines and application

Art Handler Training Program

Free Training;
Training cycle of 16 sessions begins Friday, March 9, 2012 to Saturday,April, 28, 2012;
Master the art of preparing, maintaining and moving fine art work for exhibition & conservation; and
Learn to pack, ship and catalogue fine art works for NYC’s museums, galleries, auction houses,
corporations, shippers and private collectors.

To qualify you must submit completed application and

Obtain sponsorship from a participating art or cultural institution (or provide a letter of recommendation);
Be able to demonstrate verbal, mathematical, and measuring skills if called for interview;
Be able to demonstrate an appropriate degree of physical dexterity and agility and have experience with basic hand
and power tools, ex: hammers, saws, pliers, wrenches, etc. and be familiar with construction materials if called for
an interview.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Must be provided by e-mail to finearts@bronxarts.org

In Subject Line: AHTP, last name, first name

Resume & Bio: a current resume containing (1) personal and (2) professional
references. If no biography is available, the resume must detail your professional or employment history and your artistic career (if applicable);
Essay: A brief essay describing their motives for taking the course and the ways in which they expect it to enhance their career goals;
Letter of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation or reference from one of the participating / sponsoring nstitutions. (May substitute as one of the required Professional References);
Proof of Employment: If called for interview, applicant must submit one of the following documents as proof of
employment eligibility: Birth certificate (only if born in the USA), American passport, resident alien card, or
naturalization papers.

Deadline for application & additional documentation: Friday, February 17, 2012.

Continue to online application here.

IF SELECTED AFTER STAFF REVIEW,
YOU WILL BE CONTACTED FOR AN INTERVIEW

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