Exhibitions and Collections Manager at Whitman College

Job Title: Exhibitions and Collections Manager

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Walla Walla, WA

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO) .

Position Summary

This job requires managing and installing rotating exhibitions in the Sheehan Gallery each year, co-managing Whitman College permanent collection objects, records, and related databases, collaborating on art-based curriculum with Whitman classes and other collecting bodies on campus, and mentoring/assisting with displays for the Whitman community.

Principal Accountabilities

  • Assists in creating Sheehan Gallery exhibitions.
  • Oversees the installation and physical aspects of 3-6 Sheehan Gallery Exhibitions per Academic Year (including design, wall-moving, lighting, taping, painting, hanging/placing artwork, printing, building, recording, and technology setup).
  • Helps to hire and supervise 8-10 Whitman College student staff, overseeing installation/work parties, maintenance, receptions, and welcoming guests on daily shifts for each exhibition; collaborates in managing special student internships.
  • Facilitates artwork installation on campus, including buildings, classrooms, labs, and offices; assists in the placement and relocation of new works on campus.
  • Collaborates with the Maxey Museum in their exhibitions, as well as Whitman College & Northwest Archives, Stevens Gallery, and others as needed.
  • Acquires and maintains all necessary tools, technology, accounts, programs, & supplies for the Gallery.
  • Provides pedestals, vitrines, lights, and all other gallery furniture for exhibition collaborations with campus groups and the larger community; builds elements for shows, as needed.
  • Oversees, documents, and unpacks all incoming artwork; packages, wraps, crates, boxes, and helps arrange for the shipping of incoming and outgoing pieces.
  • Assists in cutting mats, glass, plexi, wood and helps frame collection and exhibition pieces, as needed.
  • Edits and offers feedback to the print materials for exhibitions in collaboration with the Director of the Sheehan Gallery, including books, catalogues, trifolds, mailers, postcards, posters, and vinyl signage.
  • Maintains Sheehan Gallery website and is in collaboration with the Director in promoting shows and events through NPR, Facebook, the Union-Bulletin, and through Whitman College publications.
  • Researches, photographs, catalogs, moves, and maintains collection database(s) for the organization and cataloging of the Whitman College Art Collection.
  • Gives Tours or trains students to offer tours of the Whitman College Sculpture Collection for various visiting groups.
  • Serves on the Whitman College Art Advisory Committee, the Sheehan Gallery Committee, and potentially the Collections Committee, and also attends occasional Studio Art Department Faculty meetings as needed.
  • Assists Director in coordinating itineraries, travel, lodging, class visits, and receptions for Visiting Artists, Educators, and Collectors.
  • Participates in professional development activities, such as PIGs, museum visits, meetings with other institution’s representatives, and attending conferences that pertain to and inform Whitman College exhibitions & collections
  • Collaborates with Studio Art Thesis Majors throughout their senior year to assist in brainstorming and problem-solving for their final thesis exhibition.
  • Works closely with Project Managers, the Physical Plant, Campus Security, Grounds Crew, Safety Managers, and Building Managers on various renovations and collections-related projects on campus.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Individuals must be able to explain and/or demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation

  • Demonstrated knowledge of gallery curation, management, and exhibition programming
  • Demonstrated knowledge of exhibition design and collections management
  • Ability to perform physical tasks including climbing a ladder, lifting weight up to 40 pounds, carefully handling objects of various weights and sizes, and learning to use power tools
  • Demonstrated commitment to the arts and arts community
  • Demonstrated building and installation capabilities
  • Ability to interact effectively with others
  • The ability to positively and actively advance the College’s core values of diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Photography proficiency
  • Graphic design proficiency
  • Ability to frame artwork
  • Ability to effectively supervisor others
  • Ability to problem solve and multi-task
  • Ability to work independently as well as with others

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor degree in Studio Art, Design, Art History/Visual Culture, English, or another applicable discipline or comparable life/professional experience history

Benefits

Whitman offers competitive employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision and life insurances, a generous 10% matching contribution to the Whitman College 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, and paid time off including 13 paid holidays for full-time staff vacation and sick leave. Learn more about benefits eligibility here.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

At Whitman College, we take seriously the safety of our community. Whitman is a fully vaccinated campus, requiring all employees and students to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations or have an approved exemption. More information can be found here.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Apply on LinkedIn

Application review will begin June 1, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

August 1, 2022