Exhibitions Manager – Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

Reporting to the Director, National Programs, the Exhibitions Manager will oversee the Alliance’s rotating inventory of student artwork and will prepare, budget, organize, and execute Alliance exhibitions in New York City and traveling across the country. As the primary project manager, implement all aspects of national exhibitions from start to finish. Provide a national platform for teen voices by showcasing award-winning student work. Opportunities for growth and development as new projects are conceived.

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of numerous exhibitions annually featuring hundreds of works at several high-profile venues, with responsibilities including but not limited to:

• Utilize project management best practices, such as detailed project schedules,  budgets, and communications, to ensure high-quality exhibitions and projects are completed on time and on budget.
• Coordinate all aspects of artwork intake, framing, packing, storage, transportation, and installation.
• Identify and recruit additional venues; draft contracts including exhibition and event details.
• Troubleshoot any problems that arise during the course of intake, storage, installation, display, or art return. Alert senior staff as appropriate to any significant trade-offs to ensure goals are met.
• Produce exhibition signage and ephemera in collaboration with the Design & Communications team.
• Coordinate exhibition-related projects with outside vendors and related staff including video production, signage printing, and delivery, prop fabrication, contracts, material transport, etc.
• Hang/install small and large works of 2D and 3D art in various locations using industry best practices.
• Select student work, layout, and design site-specific exhibitions.
• Hire and supervise art handlers or interns as project needs and budget allows.
• Maintenance of workspace and dedicated art room: periodic cleaning and organizing, ordering supplies.
• Registrar tasks, including but not limited to intake, inventory, and registration of hundreds of student artworks annually; responsible for safe return of artwork following projects.
• Communicate clearly with students, parents, educators, and other stakeholders about art intake, exhibitions, storage, and art returns.
• Database maintenance; log and retrieve works from the Alliance archive and storage.
• Coordinate photo documentation of hundreds of student artworks.
• Custom box-making for shipping; packing of traveling exhibitions crates; occasional artwork repairs.
• Collaborate with different stakeholders at every level of the organization.
• Propose and implement new or special projects in collaboration with program partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

How you can fit

• Bachelors’ degree in art history, museum studies, exhibition management, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of cumulative project management experience within a museum, gallery, archive, or similar arts institution. Preference is given to candidates who oversaw large projects on small teams.
• Entrepreneurial candidate looking to gain experience managing the full range of activities supporting a quality exhibition program at a nationally regarded organization.
• Comfortable wearing multiple hats to execute both high- and low- level tasks.
• Knowledge of trends in teen art education and/or contemporary art institutions.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Attention to detail, process, and organization.
• Ability to take initiative, multitask, and prioritize work while meeting ongoing tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; Proficiency in Adobe Design Suite, especially Photoshop and InDesign.
• Must be able to safely lift 35 lbs.
• Working knowledge of hand and power tools and basic construction methods.
• Hands-on experience with box-making, crating, packing, and shipping techniques specific to works of art.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain excellent working relationships with staff members, partners, and outside vendors.
• Must be available to work overtime hours as needed during installations.
• Passion for teen art and writing with an interest in showcasing student work at its best.

About the Organization

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, presenter of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world. Through the Scholastic Awards, students in grades 7-12, age 13 and up, receive opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships.

For more information, visit https://www.artandwriting.org/