Art handler Training Program

Art Handler Training Program

This certificate program of the BCA Development Corporation seeks to provide arts institutions with a short but effective career enhancement program for their artist constituents, new hires, midlevel technical staff and administrative staff with risk management responsibilities. The program is designed as a forum, and stresses the practical application of generally accepted principles of art handling. 15 underemployed and unemployed working artists and museum personnel will be trained for employment in museums, galleries, corporations and auction houses throughout New York City and the metropolitan area. Once vetted, professional art handlers will also be promoted in the Creative Bronx! Black Book, an online directory listing of art service businesses.

Professional Art Handler Technician: Description

An Art Handler is responsible for the maintenance of fine art works and artifacts, intake and preparation, packing and shipping, and exhibition installation and dismantling.

Outreach

This new training program is designed to enhance the skills of the traditional pool of art handlers: artists & arts institution personnel who wish to support themselves in arts and cultural institutions, or independent contractors, while satisfying a critically important need of the industry. Institutional and corporate sponsors are encouraged to recommend full-time, part-time, and temporary employees as well as freelancers.

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. The BCA Development Corporation 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 Adult Education course work, computer applications classes and Commercial Driver Licensing classes.

Criteria

The Development Corporation and a cross-section of arts industry professionals will conduct a review of applicant interviews, and host one or more orientation sessions to determine applicant eligibility and level of interest. Minimum criteria include basic verbal, mathematical, and measuring skills, an appropriate degree of physical strength and agility, familiarity with hand tools such as hammers, saws, and screwdrivers, pliers and wrenches and their safe use, familiarity with elementary construction materials, such as drywall, and lumber and demonstrated care and accuracy in any related field.

Schedule

New participants are invited to apply! Visit these pages regularly, call 718-401-9558, or email finearts@bronxarts.org for information on the next Art Handler training cycle. The last session was 3 full-day classroom sessions per week for 12 consecutive weeks, Monday through Wednesday from 9am to 5pm (8 hours per day)

Art Handler Training Program Online Application

Downloadable PDF Application 

»Back to BCA Development Corp.