How to Be Museum/Scene Preparator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 23, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The impact of e-commerce on traditional retail businesses has been significant. In recent years, the emergence of online shopping has caused a shift in the way people shop and purchase goods, resulting in fewer customers visiting physical stores. As a consequence, many traditional retailers have had to close their doors due to their inability to compete with the convenience and affordability of e-commerce.

This has had a major effect on museum and gallery scene preparators, since many of these stores were their primary source of employment. With fewer customers visiting galleries and museums, scene preparators are now finding themselves out of a job or having to take up new positions with less pay. Furthermore, the lack of physical stores has also caused a decrease in the demand for scene preparators' services.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a college degree in Art, History, Museum Studies or a related field.
Gain experience working in a museum, art gallery, or similar setting. This could include volunteer work or an internship.
Develop excellent organizational and project management skills.
Learn how to use museum software and other computer programs related to museum operations.
Acquire knowledge of preservation techniques and standards.
Obtain certification as a museum preparator or scene setter from a professional organization, such as the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Consider obtaining additional credentials, such as a Certified Professional in Museum Preparation (CPMP), Certified Professional in Scene Setup (CPSS) or Certified Exhibition Technician (CET).
Participate in professional organizations and attend conferences related to museum and scene preparation. Network with other professionals in the field to stay abreast of current trends and developments.

The need for skilled and qualified museum scene preparators has increased in recent years as museums have become increasingly popular places for visitors and tourists. This has caused an increase in the demand for museum scene preparators who are able to create authentic, aesthetically pleasing, and accurate representations of historic scenes. To become a skilled and qualified museum scene preparator, one must have an eye for detail, an understanding of historic accuracy, and a strong knowledge of the materials and techniques used in creating museum scenes.

museum scene preparators must possess a high level of artistic ability, as well as the skills necessary to properly construct and install museum displays. The combination of these skills and qualifications makes museum scene preparators uniquely suited to creating captivating museum displays that accurately portray the history they represent.

You may want to check Scene Setter, 3D/Scene Modeler, and Scene and Property Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Museum Exhibit Designer: Responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and creating museum exhibits.
Museum Curator: Responsible for the care, research, and interpretation of museum collections.
Museum Educator: Develops educational programs and activities for museum visitors.
Museum Registrar: Responsible for the acquisition, cataloguing, storage, and management of museum collections.
Museum Conservator: Responsible for the preservation and restoration of museum artifacts and collections.
Museum Preparator: Responsible for the installation and maintenance of museum exhibits.
Museum Archivist: Responsible for the acquisition, cataloguing, storage, and retrieval of museum archives.
Museum Technician: Responsible for the maintenance and repair of museum equipment and exhibits.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of museum standards, regulations and procedures.
Ability to work in a team environment and effectively communicate with colleagues.
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently.
Knowledge of display techniques, methods and materials.
Ability to work with a variety of tools and equipment.
Proven organizational skills, attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of relevant safety regulations and procedures.
Ability to lift and transport heavy objects with safety precautions.
Ability to create and install displays with accuracy and precision.
Ability to conduct research and maintain records of collected items.

As a museum scene preparator, having attention to detail is essential. This skill enables the preparator to accurately display the artifacts and helps ensure that the exhibit meets the museums standards. problem-solving skills are important so that the preparator can quickly come up with creative solutions to any challenges that may arise in the setup process.

strong organizational skills are key in order to successfully keep track of all the components of the exhibit and make sure that everything is in its proper place. Good communication skills are also necessary so that the preparator can collaborate with other members of the museum staff, such as curators, to ensure a successful installation. Finally, manual dexterity is important for precisely handling and arranging small artifacts and for quickly making aesthetic adjustments to the scene.

All these skills combined are essential for a museum scene preparator to successfully set up an exhibit.

Scene and Costume Designer, Special Scenes Painter/Designer, and Paint/Scene Designer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in museum/scene preparator work?
How do you handle complex tasks and prioritization?
How do you stay organized when there are multiple tasks to complete?
What methods do you use to ensure accuracy and detail when preparing scenes?
Describe a difficult situation you faced while working as a museum/scene preparator and how did you resolve it?
How do you collaborate with other team members when preparing scenes?
What techniques do you use to ensure the museum/scene is accurately presented?
What safety protocols do you follow when preparing scenes?
How do you ensure the quality of work meets museum standards?
What challenges have you faced when preparing scenes and how did you overcome them?

Common Tools in Industry

Hammer. Used to drive nails into surfaces. (eg: hammering nails into a wall to hang a painting)
Screwdriver. Used to tighten/loosen screws. (eg: removing screws from a cabinet to disassemble it)
Drill. Used to make holes in surfaces. (eg: drilling a hole in a wall for hanging a shelf)
Saw. Used to cut through materials. (eg: cutting through wood to build a display case)
Glue Gun. Used to bond materials together. (eg: gluing pieces of fabric together to create a backdrop)
Paintbrush. Used to paint surfaces. (eg: painting a wall with a mural)
Sander. Used to smooth and finish surfaces. (eg: sanding down a wooden table to give it a smooth finish)
Level. Used to make sure surfaces are level or plumb. (eg: ensuring the frame of a painting is level before hanging it on the wall)
Wrench. Used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. (eg: tightening bolts on a display case to keep it secure)
Screws and Bolts. Used to assemble materials together. (eg: attaching two pieces of wood together with screws and bolts)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
International Council of Museums (ICOM)
The National Association for Museum Exhibition (NAME)
Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)
Association of African American Museums (AAAM)
American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)
American Association of Public Historians (AAPH)
National Council on Public History (NCPH)
Museum Computer Network (MCN)

We also have Scene Coordinator, Virtual/Scene Creator, and Scene Shop Foreman jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Exhibit Design. The process of creating an attractive and engaging display for a museum or gallery that conveys information about the objects on display.
Display Cases. A physical enclosure designed to protect and highlight objects on display in a museum or gallery.
Lighting. The arrangement and selection of lighting fixtures to highlight and showcase objects on display in a museum or gallery.
Environment Control. The use of temperature, humidity, and other environmental controls to maintain the integrity of objects on display in a museum or gallery.
Labeling and Interpretation. The use of labels, artifacts, photographs, and other forms of media to explain and give context to objects on display in a museum or gallery.
Rehousing. The practice of safely moving and repackaging objects on display in a museum or gallery to protect them from damage or deterioration.
Conservation. The practice of preserving cultural artifacts in a museum or gallery through treatments, repairs, and other measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Museum/Scene Preparator?

A Museum/Scene Preparator is a professional who creates and sets up exhibitions, displays, and installations in museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions.

What skills are needed to be a successful Museum/Scene Preparator?

Museum/Scene Preparators should have strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills. They should also have an eye for detail, a strong technical aptitude, and the ability to work with a range of materials.

What qualifications are required to become a Museum/Scene Preparator?

Most employers require Museum/Scene Preparators to have at least a bachelor's degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field. Depending on the job, experience in the museum field may also be required.

What are the responsibilities of a Museum/Scene Preparator?

The primary responsibility of a Museum/Scene Preparator is to create and set up exhibitions and displays in museums and galleries. This includes selecting and arranging objects, designing layouts, building and installing frames and pedestals, and creating labels and signage.

What type of salary can a Museum/Scene Preparator expect to earn?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Museum/Scene Preparators was $37,820 in 2019. Salaries can vary significantly depending on experience, location, and other factors.

Web Resources

Museum Preparator | UCnet - University of California ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu
Museum Preparator III - Stanford University Careers careersearch.stanford.edu
Museum Preparator [Princeton University, Princeton, NJ] sites.tufts.edu