Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Personal tools

Navigation

You are here: Home › Careers › New Zealand Careers › Careers Descriptions › Libraries and Museums Careers › Exhibition Technician

Exhibition Technician

Exhibition technicians prepare, install, maintain and dismantle museum or art gallery exhibitions.

 

Tasks & duties

Exhibition technicians may do some or all of the following:

  • prepare for an exhibition by constructing props and making object supports
  • provide a budget for the cost of installing an exhibition
  • plan and co-ordinate new exhibitions in conjunction with designers or curators
  • design and build models, furnishings and fittings
  • source or order any materials needed for setting up exhibitions
  • install exhibitions and arrange artefacts for display
  • arrange for contractors, such as painters, to install parts of an exhibition
  • set up any sound and visual effects
  • monitor and maintain exhibitions while they are on public display
  • dismantle exhibition furniture and props
  • run the workshop, and complete maintenance work in the museum or gallery

 

Skills & knowledge

Exhibition technicians need to have:

  • knowledge of a wide range of building materials and methods
  • skill in reading and interpreting designers' plans
  • creative ability
  • practical and technical skills such as carpentry, metalwork or spray-painting
  • knowledge of occupational safety and health requirements for safe building practices, and correct lifting techniques
  • computer skills
  • organisational skills
  • budgeting skills
  • good communication and people skills

Exhibition technicians may need to know about lighting techniques, graphics and 3-D design, conservation practices and fine arts.

 

Entry requirements

Exhibition technicians do not need any specific educational qualifications to enter the role.
However, it is useful to have a qualification or skills and experience in:

  • industrial design
  • model making
  • fine art
  • project management
  • metalwork
  • furniture building
  • joinery and carpentry

 

Secondary education

Useful school subjects include maths, art, technology, woodwork, metalwork, and technical drawing at NCEA Levels 1, 2 or 3.

 

Training on the job

Exhibition technicians pick up skills on the job, such as how to:

  • correctly handle artworks
  • use computer programs for budgeting
  • drive heavy-lifting equipment
  • safely use workshop tools

 

Useful experience

Useful experience for exhibition technicians includes: 

  • art and design
  • woodwork
  • metalwork
  • handcraft work
  • work in galleries, museums or theatres

 

Related courses

Curatorial Studies
Fine Arts
Graphic Arts and Design Studies

 

For more information, please refer to Career Services.

Document Actions