Exhibitions Coordinator at El Museo del Barrio

Job Status: Freelance


Overall Responsibilities
 
The Exhibitions Coordinator is responsible for the planning, design, budgeting, preparation, coordination, installation, maintenance, and de-installation of artworks in relation to El Museo del Barrio’s upcoming Spring/Fall 2022 exhibitions.
 
This includes all artworks presented in El Museo del Barrio’s galleries and exhibition spaces, as well as special projects presented in other spaces, including performances in El Teatro and all off-site presentations. Working hours may vary over the course of the project, and may be performed remotely and/or on-site, depending on needs and in accordance with the development of the exhibition.
 
The Exhibitions Coordinator reports to the Chief Curator but works closely with the Registrar(s)/Collection Manager(s), all other members of the Curatorial Department, as well as serves as the main liaison with the museum’s Operations Department.
 
This position has the potential for long-term employment and/or renewal for additional exhibitions, special projects, and/or Permanent Collection presentations. About the Exhibition The exhibitions are permanent collection and loan-based shows, with artworks to be shipped, received, and ultimately returned to lenders throughout the United States and abroad. The exhibitions include painting, sculpture, video, works on paper, documentation and performance, among other media.
 
General Responsibilities Exhibitions & Special Projects Planning
 
• Participates in the planning and design of the exhibition and related special projects, including performing product research (materials/tools/equipment), creating working budgets, and creating timetables and task lists and aiding in their adherence by coordinating all participating parties and materials.
• Supervises, recruits, hires and schedules crew for installation and de-installation of exhibitions, in direct collaboration with the Registrar and Finance Department.
• Meets with museum staff, particularly the Operations Department, as well as outside consultants, fabricators, project curators, art handlers, historians, advisors, volunteers, interns and other professionals as necessary and as required for exhibition planning and implementation.
• Ensures designs of exhibitions meet requirements with consideration of conservation, accessibility, safety, and visitor traffic.
• Assists in developing and planning of necessary security relevant to exhibition safety.
• Processes, organizes, records, and submits to the museum’s Finance Department all exhibition-related vendor invoices, as to ensure that vendors are paid in a timely manner.
• Utilizes SketchUp, InDesign, Microsoft Excel, and The Museum System (TMS) database as needed in the planning, design, preparation, and implementation of exhibitions, together with curators, registrars and exhibitions’ designers involved in the projects. Exhibition Implementation
• Supervises the preparation of gallery space for exhibitions.
• Oversees exhibition production through all stages of development, including design, fabrication, framing, mounting, installation, and lighting that meets requirements of conservation.
• Coordinates and supervises tasks and services related to the display of objects/artwork included in exhibitions, including, but not limited to conservation quality matting/hinging/framing; fabrication and installation of custom-mounts for three-dimensional objects; exhibition display furniture fabrication and assembly; mounting audio-visual equipment; and other items.
• Manages/coordinates with museum staff, contracted workers, consultants and/or vendors the fabrication and installation of exhibition signage. Ongoing Exhibition Duties
• Provides daily weekday gallery checks.
• Organizes and arranges crating, shipment, and delivery of artworks, as well as any necessary storage.
• Provides weekly maintenance of the exhibition including upkeep of the lighting, display devices, and overall cleanliness of artwork displays.
• Maintains inventory of workshop and/or equipment storage and audio-visual equipment, exhibition frames, exhibition furniture, and all curatorial tools, supplies, and hardware.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of guidelines and techniques for exhibition preparation and workshop practices for use of tools and equipment.
• Assists in photography of objects and documentation of exhibitions as directed.
• Supports Registrar(s)/Collection Manager(s) in monitoring the environmental conditions in the galleries and storage rooms daily, advising and liaising with the museum’s Operations Department and/or HVAC technicians as requested to achieve required environmental conditions.
• Other tasks as assigned and agreed upon by employee and supervisor.
 
Desired Requirements
 
• Master’s degree in art, Art History, Arts Management, Museum Studies, or a related field
• 3 to 5 years of broad-base exhibition development and production, registrarial, artwork preparation, collections management or related museological experience.
• Spanish/English bilingual skills preferred
• Fluency in various computer, digital imaging, and design systems, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Excel, SketchUp, InDesign and Photoshop.
• Excellent oral, interpersonal, and budgeting skills.
• Ability to work productively with diverse constituencies, including artists, curators, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to supervise in a leadership role when required.
• Neat, detail-oriented, well-organized, and able to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work flexibly, and adapt to unforeseen changes in exhibition schedule and/or implementation
• Creative and able to undertake multiple tasks at the same time. 

 

How to Apply

To apply, please email resume and cover letter to jobs@elmuseo.org with “Exhibitions Coordinator” in the subject line. Applications that are not sent according to specifications will not be considered.
 
No phone calls, please. We will contact you directly for an interview. El Museo del Barrio is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.