Supporting the next generation of art handlers

A career in art handling is built through experience: learning how to move, pack, install and care for artworks safely, while building the confidence and practical judgment that come from working alongside experienced professionals.

That hands-on learning is at the heart of The Broad’s Diversity Apprenticeship Program (DAP), a nine-month, full-time paid apprenticeship designed to create career opportunities in art handling and preparations for people from underrepresented communities.

The program provides an entry point into a highly specialized profession that can otherwise be difficult to access, particularly for people without traditional pathways into museums or higher education. Apprentices receive technical training, professional development and on-the-job experience designed to prepare them for careers across museums, galleries and the broader fine art logistics field.

Crozier has supported DAP since its early days, helping provide the environment and expertise needed to put that training into practice.

During the first month of the program, apprentices complete intensive hands-on training at Crozier’s Downtown Los Angeles facility. Crozier provides the space, tools, materials and equipment used throughout the curriculum, while Crozier art handling specialists volunteer their time to teach and work directly with the apprentices.

The training starts with the fundamentals: an introduction to collections care and the museum and art logistics field, alongside workplace safety, proper lifting techniques and the safe use of tools and equipment.

From there, apprentices begin working through the practical skills that underpin day-to-day art handling. They learn best practices for handling paintings, works on paper and three-dimensional objects; explore packing methods and materials; practice safely moving artworks using specialized equipment; and develop installation skills ranging from selecting appropriate hardware and anchors to understanding different approaches to positioning works on a wall.

"The Diversity Apprenticeship Program is a truly rare initiative—opening doors for communities that otherwise wouldn't have direct exposure to fine art logistics, while building a vibrant, supportive network across the field,” said Dallas Kavanagh, Art Handling Logistics Manager, Crozier. “What makes this experience so special is the opportunity for our specialists to pass on the hard-earned trade secrets, technical craft, and practical wisdom that typically take years on the job to gather. By opening our Los Angeles facility, tools, and expertise to each cohort, our team at Crozier is proud to cultivate both the practical skills and the lasting community that empower the next generation of art handlers."

Just as importantly, the program introduces apprentices to the professional environment surrounding the work. Mentorship, career preparation and exposure to partner organizations help connect the technical skills learned during training with the opportunities available across the field.

That pathway is an important part of the partnership. Crozier has hosted DAP apprentices for professional placements and hired graduates of the program, helping connect training with meaningful experience and longer-term employment opportunities.

For Crozier, supporting the program means sharing the knowledge that already exists within our teams and helping ensure that expertise continues to grow with the next generation of art handlers.

Further reading: Parrish Art Museum’s Teen Council visit Crozier’s Hamptons, New York Facility