Associate Exhibition Designer at the Whitney Museum
Job Title: Exhibition Designer
Job Status: Full-time
Description
Exhibition design requires a high level of judgement and creativity in collaborating with Curatorial colleagues to shape the design and narrative of permanent and special exhibitions that form the foundation of the Museum’s mission, identity and visitor experience. As a member of the Exhibition Design Department, the Associate Exhibition Designer reports to the Director, Exhibition Design, and supports the department’s goal to provide leadership in the museum design field by assisting in the production of original, impactful and inclusive designs for the Museum’s exhibition program.
Responsibilities:
Assist senior staff with exhibition-making process, including researching artwork and its historical context, liaising with Curatorial to understand conceptual underpinnings of artwork/exhibition thesis and aesthetic sensibility of each project.
Assist senior staff with planning process: developing design concepts and studies, preparing art layouts, researching installation dimensions/specs/instructions, consulting Conservation, Registrar, Art Handling, Lighting, and Multi Media regarding installation requirements, and liaising with Security, Fire Safety, Facilities, Visitor Services, Education, and Graphic Design to ensure design adheres to museum standards and promotes a successful and accessible visitor experience.
Produce architectural design documents from schematics through construction, including millwork detailing and material specification.
Produce design renderings, maquettes, study models and other presentation materials to convey design and exhibition scope to Curators, Director, and various other Museum departments and outside parties.
Assist senior staff with monitoring the quality and fidelity of casework fabrication, wall construction and other production activities during course of installation, as well as facilitating solutions and communication among various internal Museum departments.
Produce drawings and specifications for mockups and prototypes. Supervise engineers as they conduct gallery lighting.
Assist in sourcing vendors, soliciting quotes, obtaining material samples. Maintain material library.
Maintain accurate database of exhibition floor plans, design and construction documentation, 3D and 2D base models, and correspondence.
Research and implement special initiatives like new software, sustainability reviews as assigned by supervisor.
Maintain digital collection archive and maquette library.
Maintain department supplies and model area.
Other duties, as assigned.
Requirements
BA in Architecture or related design field.
2-3 years’ experience in related design field
Advanced 2D drafting skills, preferably Vectorworks; advanced 3D modeling skills, preferably Rhino and V-Ray, and fluency in Adobe Suite. Professional experience with millwork detailing, material specifications, and the production of Construction Documents.
Familiarity with building code and public safety requirements.
Facility with building both study and finish models.
Demonstrated familiarity with and interest in fine art, particularly modern and contemporary.
Ability to think abstractly and design creatively within distinctive architectural environment.
Excellent concern for details.
Very good communication skills, both verbal and written.
Ability to collaborate with diverse implementation team is essential.
Ability to work in a flexible, fast-paced environment on simultaneous projects.
Knowledge of best practices for improving sustainability in the design/build field.
Familiarity with daylighting simulation software and exhibition lighting is a plus.
Some light physical work.
Physical model-making, maquette and prototype production.
Weekend, holiday, and overtime hours may be required during exhibition changeovers.
High tolerance for last-minute changes and extensive consensus-building.
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.
About the Whitney
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.
EEO Statement
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.
COVID guidelines
The health and safety of our Museum community is the highest priority. As such, the Whitney Museum is requiring all newly hired staff members to be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations for medical, religious, or other reasons will be considered in accordance with applicable law.
How to Apply
Please apply via the Museum’s website: https://whitney.org/about/job-postings