Exhibition Manager at the MassArt Art Museum

Title: Exhibition Manager

Job Status: Full-time

Job Location: Boston, MA

Description

The MAAM Exhibition Manager oversees exhibition-related logistics for the MassArt Art Museum (MAAM), a free, non-collecting contemporary art museum. The MAAM Exhibition Manager will work with the Executive Director and museum team to coordinate simultaneous exhibitions, including the borrowing of artwork from museums, galleries, and collectors; condition reporting and insurance needs; overseeing installation design and execution; transportation of artwork; and maintenance of related records. The MAAM Exhibition Manager is an experienced museum professional with the abilities to be hands-on during installation and serves as a mentor when training, demonstrating, and installing alongside freelance and student crew.

Salary: $60,000.00 – $70,000.00 commensurate with experience

Summary of Duties

1. Serve as exhibition project manager. Oversee and implement exhibition logistics and correspondence including maintaining complete and accurate exhibition checklists and records; generating loan agreements, insurance certificates, and other relevant documents. Coordinate with MAAM staff and contractors regarding projects and deadlines; scheduling of install team, tasks, and events; communicate with MAAM staff and staff of other institutions or lenders regarding logistics of shipping/receiving, storing, and installation/de-installation of objects. Track exhibition budgets and manage external resources needed to execute exhibition concepts.

2. Lead the implementation of all exhibitions, including developing production and installation schedules; responsible for and supervise all exhibition 25% preparation, fabrication, and installation; research new equipment and technologies; and troubleshoot any exhibition issues. Work closely with curators on exhibition design and layout. For site-specific projects, work closely with exhibition artists to assist with creation of new artwork. Responsible for all aspects of installation, including installing exhibition signage, wall text, and labels; lighting of exhibitions; and purchasing of needed equipment. Design and create all mounts needed for display of artwork. Assist with and oversee construction of pedestals, art crates, and other gallery furniture. Post-installation, organize and stage art in preparation for photography and assist photographer(s) during shoot.

3. Responsible for care, condition, and movement of all artwork including un/packing of objects for transport and scheduling fine art shipments including related paperwork. Supervise fine art deliveries and pick-ups. Coordinate with lending institutions and individuals for pick up and delivery of borrowed artwork. Create and implement museum policies, procedures, and best practices encompassing storage, packing, shipping, security of artwork in transit, and object conservation.

4. Lead, supervise, train, and support freelance and student installation crew regarding museum best practices for artwork registration, handling, and exhibition installation. Create and maintain training manual for art handling and installation and serve as a resource for staff and students in this area.

5. Daily care and maintenance: Oversee the upkeep of MAAM (both front and back of house) and all related facilities, including lobby, galleries, workshop, acclimatization area, and offsite storage. Monitor gallery climate and humidity levels. Conduct regular exhibition checks for security, damage, cleaning, and lighting needs. When needed work with MassArt’s Facilities and Public Safety Departments. Develop, train, and review procedures for cleaning and maintenance of artwork and galleries; provide training and feedback as necessary to ensure artwork conservation. Maintain inventory of necessary supplies, tools, A/V equipment, and display cases and pedestals

6. Work to create and sustain a positive and collaborative culture so that MAAM is always welcoming to our community through its public programs and facilities.

7. Perform other related duties as assigned.

8. Promote the University’s commitment to diversity, collegiality, and service excellence by: ? Build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed. ? Ensuring optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information. ? Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.

Working Conditions

  • Flexible scheduling, with occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work.
  • Office is an open workspace with seated desks.
  • Collaborative team environment with frequent group meeting participation

Physical Effort

  • Occasional (10-33%) reaching, pushing, grasping and pulling. Lifting of up to 35 pounds. 
  • Frequent (34-66%) standing and walking. 
  • Constant (67-100%) viewing of computer screen and reports, sitting, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.

 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in a museum, gallery, or exhibition venue
  • At least 1 year of experience supervising an exhibition installation team
  • Demonstrated project management experience including setting timelines, establishing a budget and deliverables, communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders, and meeting deadlines on a variety of simultaneous projects
  • Demonstrated knowledge of museum registrarial and best practices in art handling
  • Ability to work with the public face-to-face/inperson, and also by telephone and/or by email
  • Proficiency with and willingness to learn technology including Asana, G Suite, Slack, personal computer, and related technology
  • Familiarity with basic carpentry, painting, and power tools
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Ability to climb ladders, use scaffolding

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working directly with artists on exhibition installation
  • Ability to read, review, critique, explain, and produce scaled floor plans and elevations
  • Ability to manage a budget and track expenditures
  • Able to drive 16’ – 26’ box truck
  • Ability to use scissor lifts

Impact of Actions

  • Position has the ability to make intermediate decisions with review by supervisors if needed. 
  • Manages and trains student and freelance employees.

Complexity
While this position may follow some established procedures and methods in performing duties, every installation is different so there is also improvisation and problem solving depending on exhibition needs.

Supervision Exercised
Student and freelance employees

Internal / External Communications
Both. This position communicates with a diverse audience: artists, museum professionals, gallerists, freelance and/or student assistants, among others.

To Apply: 

Please complete our online application. https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/massart/jobs/3344567/maam-exhibition-manager/apply?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

All candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States. Pre-employment background checks, including criminal history, will be conducted for all positions. Candidates for this position may be screened out if there are apparent mistakes in the documents submitted or if there is failure to follow application instructions.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public, independent institution that prepares artists, designers, and educators from diverse backgrounds to shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good, and demonstrate our values by:

  • Pursuing a just, compassionate, and equitable learning environment.
  • Cultivating rigorous creative practices by observing, questioning, making and remaking.
  • Honoring courage, honesty, mutual respect, and self-expression.
  • Believing in the power of art and design to transform our world. 

Please note that MassArt does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship or non-student exchange visitor visa sponsorship for administrators, managers, technical staff, library staff or support staff. All offers of employment are based on appropriate U.S. work authorization.

MassArt currently does not provide reimbursement for travel.

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check relative to prior criminal convictions and pending cases, as well as Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks relative to prior sexual offenses committed as an adult or juvenile will be conducted on the final candidate prior to an offer of employment. MassArt requires specific written authorization to conduct background checks. Failure to provide such authorization shall preclude your application from receiving further consideration.