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ONLINE FORUM

Welcome to the IMF Online Forum! 
The easiest way to connect with your fellow Mountmakers!

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Archived topics are available to anyone - but we encourage you to create a Login, which allow you to post new topics, as well as receiving notification of new posts from other contributors.

  

To create a new Login: Click the Log in/ Sign up prompt. You can use your existing Google or Facebook account or enter an email address and create a password - you're good to go!

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The Online Forum had a recent update- please read:

The Topic categories have now changed to Groups- to follow or post to a specific group, click Join for that category.

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Once you have joined a group, you will be able to post to that group and will receive updates to new postings.  Join as many as many topic groups as you would like!

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If there's anything we're missing, needs fixing or you'd like to contribute, just let us know through the Contact Us prompt!

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If you are looking for a colleague, mountmaking training, or freelance mountmakers in your area, check out our new
IMF MOUNTMAKERS DIRECTORY.

 

We look forward to your participation!

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Groups Feed

View groups and posts below.


This post is from a suggested group

Jessica Lafrance-Hwang
Jessica Lafrance-Hwang

Exhibit Display Preparator at the Canadian Museum of History

The Canadian Museum of History is looking for a permanent, full-time, Exhibition Display Preparator to join its Collections Care and Technical Services Division. Salary Range is CAD $71,785 to $ 88,841). Applicants must have a right to work in Canada at the time of submission.

Apply no later than November 24, 2026, 2022 at 11:59 p.m



As an Exhibit Display Preparator, you provide a unique creative service primarily to the exhibition programs of the Canadian Museum of History (CMH). You provide consultations, prepare cost estimates, and present display and fabrication options for various elements involved in exhibition production, installation, maintenance, and dismantling. These elements include artefact mounts, décor, structures, showcases, graphic elements, and reproductions. Some travel within Canada and internationally to museums and other exhibition venues may be required for the installation and dismantling of CMH travelling exhibitions. You follow professional principles for museum artefact handling and presentation and perform…


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This post is from a suggested group

Floor mount for large steel rings

Hello! I work at a museum that has 10 of Rayanne Tabet's Steel Rings (link to work from our website: https://thebasskiosk.dom5183.com/objects-1/info/7122) The work is 10 steel rings, approx. 30" diameter/4" wide, that stand upright by themselves, with clear rubber wedges to keep them from rolling side to side, but doesn't prevent them from tipping over. I am interested in the possibility of creating a mount that can be screwed into the floor that will prevent the rings from rolling and falling, and is discreet. Children are always tempted to run through them, and they have fallen down before because a child pushed one ring over. They are also heavy, so it is dangerous. I'm interested in seeing what kind of custom solutions could be fabricated. I thought of a floor plate (below) that blends into the polished steel sections that sit on the floor.


Also looking for someone who could fabricate.…




32 Views

Given that the piece is steel, have you considered magnets?

This post is from a suggested group

Short-term liability insurance

I am a sculptor with 20 years of mountmaking experience and have worked for many years in a museum setting. I have been asked to make mounts for 10 Pueblo Pots for a museum where I was formerly a preparator. They want me to carry $1mil of general liability insurance and the museum be named as ‘additional insured’. I would be working at their facility, with their tools and equipment. I would never be in posession of the objects. I would be working on this part-time for a duration of 3 months. Can anyone recommend an insurance provider? In the past, I’ve always been under the umbrella of the institution or another businesses’ insurance. Appreciate any leads.

236 Views

This post is from a suggested group

brooke zhang
brooke zhang

Request for museum pros, any area/type:

I'm an undergrad in art history and industrial design, and my goal is to pursue exhibition design, museum fabrication, or preparator work.


I'm working on my capstone industrial design project, focusing on improving the mannequin dressing process. Unfortunately, my professor is requiring 30 survey responses for the research component. I've spoken individually to various museum professionals I know, but it certainly isn't 30 people. My request is, if you have 2-3 minutes, for you to fill out a quick survey (so I don't fail!). The results will be anonymously added to a private research report that will only be seen by me and my professor.

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Mair
Mair
Oct 06

Just FYI - at one of the past IMF meetings, there was a smaller "pod" of mannequin talks. They might be of interest to you. ----- 7th IMF 2020 Virtual: Day 3 / Late session.


Best of luck. It's great working with clothes! - Mair La Touche

This post is from a suggested group

Center for Collections Care 2027 Mount Making Courses Open!

The Center for Collections Care will offer TWO sessions of Mount Making for Exhibits in summer 2027. It's the same class, just offered twice to accommodate demand.


First Session, June 7-11, 2027

Taught by venerated mount makers Pam Gaible and Earl Lock. Pam just retired from The Field Museum, and this is the last time Earl will teach the class!


Second Session, July 12-16, 2027

Taught Pam Gaible and Peter Rosen. Peter is a mount maker at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and is on the IMF Steering Committee. He's a talented artist, mount maker, and excellent instructor!


Registration and Scholarships are Open!


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This post is from a suggested group

Mount Maker Role

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is looking for an experienced Mount Maker to bring creativity and innovation to crafting beautiful display solutions for works across our collection and travelling exhibitions.


https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/MUS1003MOFAH/JobBoard/5b1a1eb0-79c1-450e-89be-217d64a743ba/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=54268366-fac5-49fd-948e-1d84f24d4545


Please check out the website and our video to learn more! 😄



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This post is from a suggested group

Mountmaking Short Course - Dec 2026

I'm teaching again in December at Brooklyn Metal works. The course is an entry level course that also welcomes returning and more experienced students. Silver soldering experience is required. Feel free to reach out to me or the studio with questions. Attached is the course link.


Jody


https://www.bkmetalworks.com/mountmaking-short-course

404 Views

loved taking your class!

This post is from a suggested group

Exhibit Designer / Installer Position

Hello everyone!


I wanted to share an opportunity that may be of interest to those in the museum mount-making, exhibit fabrication, and installation community.


A full-time Exhibit Designer/Installer position will soon be available with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) in Sacramento, California.


While this isn't a traditional museum position, I think it could be a great fit for someone with a background in museum fabrication, mount making, exhibit installation, or scenic and specialty fabrication who is looking for a new challenge. The position offers the opportunity to work on a wide variety of creative projects, including designing, fabricating, installing, maintaining, and repairing educational exhibits and interactive displays.


The position involves hands-on work with a variety of materials, fabrication techniques, graphics, multimedia, and interactive technologies. You'll have the opportunity to work on exhibits that educate the public about California's water resources and support DWR's visitors centers and outreach programs.


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This post is from a suggested group

Registration for IMF2026 is open!

Registration is now open for IMF2026, hosted by the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, November 3-5, 2026!


In-person: $200 includes two days of talks, posters, demonstrations, tours, good conversations (and some food)!


Virtual: $100 includes access to live talks and participation in question-and-answer sessions. No food though:)


Click here for details!


Questions? contactmountforum@gmail.com


Registration closes October 19, 2026.


319 Views
John
John
Sep 16

Secured my registration - I'll see you all there! (Now to look at lodging.....)

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