Framing Technician at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), is seeking a Conservation Framing Technician to join the Department of Conservation. This role focuses on the matting, mounting, and framing of works of art on paper and photography, ensuring their preservation for storage, exhibition, and travel through the use of conservation-grade materials and methods.

The technician will be an integral member of a dynamic department of 21 full-time staff, including conservators, conservation scientist, technicians, framers, and coordinators, as well as interns, fellows, and volunteers. Together, the team works to preserve a collection of nearly 80,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art history.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking someone who:

• Is technically skilled and precise. You have hands-on expertise in matting and framing and a deep respect for the materials entrusted to you.
• Works collaboratively. This is a team-driven lab rooted in the generosity of knowledge, time, and credit.
• Thrives in complexity. You are comfortable navigating both the technical and interpretive nuances of conservation framing.
• Sees conservation as shared responsibility. You partner effectively with conservators, preparators, curators, and technicians across the museum.
• Leads with humility and curiosity. You contribute to a culture of respect, learning, and shared problem-solving.
• Is values-driven. Integrity, empathy, and respect for diverse lived experiences guide your work.
• Understands that how we work matters. Excellence should never come at the expense of well-being, equity, or kindness.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Mat, mount, and frame works of art on paper and photography using conservation-approved techniques and materials.
• Ensure works are properly housed for storage, display, and travel.
• Work under the supervision of the Conservator of Works of Art on Paper while collaborating closely with curatorial and conservation colleagues.
• Maintain high standards of care and handling in alignment with museum and professional ethics.
• Participate actively in departmental meetings, projects, and shared responsibilities that support the care of the MFAH collection.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Ideally, at least two years of matting and framing experience, ideally in a museum, conservation, or library setting.
• Knowledge of conservation practices and collections management for works on paper.
• Familiarity with museum-quality mounting materials and methods.
• Strong manual dexterity and the ability to safely handle delicate works of art.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role, including lifting up to 50 pounds, standing for extended periods, and handling specialized tools and equipment (with PPE provided where needed).

Why Join Us

At MFAH, conservation is not only about preserving objects, but about sustaining histories, communities, and connections. As a Conservation Framing Technician, you will help safeguard works on paper and photography for generations to come, contributing directly to exhibitions, scholarship, and the museum’s mission to share art widely.

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program
• Group health, dental, and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off- Used for absences from work such as vacation, illness of short duration, and personal reasons. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive eleven paid holidays per year
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Other Benefits

• Staff may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible staff contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service.  (We also recognize prior nonprofit service which will provide for an accelerated employer match!)
• Roth IRA also available!
• MFAH Membership – Staff receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts – Staff receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and courses for you or your family at the Glassell School of Art.
• Metro commuter subsidy available upon request
• Professional development support and museum membership
• Relocation assistance and research-related travel funds may be available

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in the job description.  The MFAH has established the pay range for this job and level as a general guideline, not a guarantee of the compensation amount or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, the needs and requirements expressed in the job description, as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data, and any related regulations or other laws.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants should apply online, as this is the most effective way to ensure consideration.  Application materials should include:

• CV or résumé
• Cover letter addressing your qualifications, interest in the position, and how your values align with the MFAH's mission
• Contact information for three professional references

Applications or letters of interest sent via mail, fax, or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration. 

1. Visit the MFAH Careers page at –

https://www.mfah.org/about/careers/

1. "Click" on All current employment opportunities
2. Scroll through the listings to find this role.
3. "Click" and apply!
4. It's that easy.

About the MFAH Conservation Environment

The Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is home to 21 diverse and highly skilled team of conservation professionals dedicated to the preservation and study of the museum’s encyclopedic collection. The staff includes specialists in paintings, paper, photo, science, sculpture and objects, textiles, time-based media art, as well as imaging specialist, conservation technicians, matting and framing technicians, fellows, and interns. We care for an encyclopedic collection, which includes almost 80,000 objects and spans 5,000 years of achievement in the arts. Together, we bring a wide range of expertise in historical and contemporary materials, treatment methodologies, and preventive conservation. We have a collaborative spirit, with intellectual rigor, and commitment to ethical and inclusive practice, our team works closely with curators, educators, and scientists to advance cross-disciplinary research, public engagement, and innovative approaches to collections care. The Center fosters a supportive environment where mentorship, transparency, and continual learning are core values. We are proud to be one of the most diverse conservation laboratories in the U.S.—and we approach that responsibility with care, respect, and determination.

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600+ employees and 1,000+ docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution comprises multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, three eateries, and two house museums dedicated to decorative arts.

As an employer, MFAH offers a supportive, collegial, and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work will primarily be performed in an office environment.  The work will involve extended periods of sitting and computer use.  With or without reasonable accommodation, the selected individual must have the capacity to perform all essential functions effectively. In addition to the other demands mentioned, the demands of the job may or will include:

• Must undergo and meet company standards for background and reference checks.
• Required ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Extensive computer usage.
• Seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly in order to communicate with staff, guests, and others.
• Frequent sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, and walking, which may be required for extended periods of time.
• Good vision or corrected by the use of glasses and/or contacts for reading and viewing abilities.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

Research shows some individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely for an applicant to meet 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: [email protected]