Production Technician

The Whitney Museum of American Art seeks a skilled and proactive Exhibition Production Technician to join the in-house fabrication team. This position plays a key role in the successful execution of exhibitions by fabricating, maintaining, and installing exhibition design elements and art supports. Working closely with the Foreperson and Exhibition Production Manager, the Technician helps ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard of quality.

This is a hands-on fabrication role suited for a detail-oriented craftsperson who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and is committed to maintaining the museum's standards of excellence and safety.

Responsibilities

Fabrication & Installation

• Read and interpret technical drawings and construction plans.
• Prepare and edit digital fabrication files for in-house production (Rhino, AutoCAD, or Vectorworks).
• Fabricate scenography and exhibition elements using wood, MDF, plywood, and related materials.
• Collaborate with museum departments to execute custom display and storage solutions.
• Advise on materials and fabrication methods, with an emphasis on sustainable and healthier material choices.
• Assist with the installation of art supports in the galleries (pedestals, platforms, bonnets, shelves, etc.); does not handle artwork.
• Operate a scissor lift and assist with elevated installation tasks.
• Install light fixtures in casework (wiring not required), rig curtains with Unistrut, and assist with AV component mounting.
• Perform construction tasks including cabinetry, door hanging, patching, and painting walls.

Project Coordination & Team Support

Shop Maintenance

Institutional Support

Compensation & Benefits

If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates. Whether you're new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.

About the Whitney

The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.

EEO Statement

The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.