Exhibitions Manager, Schomburg Center at the New York Public Library
Job Title: Exhibitions Manager, Schomburg Center
Job Status: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: $75,000 – $80,000
DescriptionThe Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is a world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. We present exhibitions that bring the institution’s extensive collection of over 11 million objects into public view. The Schomburg Center has three main galleries–Latimer Gallery (1324 sq ft), Exhibition Hall (1326 sq ft), and the Media Gallery(504 sq ft). History, culture, contemporary issues, and scholarship–areas explored through exhibitions and public programs–inspire us to see ourselves and the world in new ways. We are committed to partnering with scholars and independent curators, as well as like-minded cultural and educational institutions, to share provocative content that centralizes the knowledge and experiences of people of African descent. Essential to the success of our work is collaboration across departments at Schomburg Center and the New York Public Library at-large.We are looking for someone we can count on to:Own:
- Managing the coordination and implementation of a diverse and robust Schomburg
- Center exhibition schedule, including large and small in-gallery exhibitions and pop-up displays
Learn:
- From the Associate Director of Public Programs and Exhibitions and division curators,
- how to share the Schomburg Center’s mission and values through understanding and incorporating the collections in exhibition planning and production
Improve:
- How we develop our exhibition calendar and implement sound practices for digitization and archival documentation of exhibitions
- Exhibition design and accessibility best practices
Some expectations for this role are that within:1 month, this person will:
- Will be familiar with our current exhibition goals and exhibition calendar
- Will be connecting with curators and archivists within the Schomburg’s archival divisions
- Work with the Associate Director to familiarize themselves with materials inventory, procurement practices, storage facilities, and members of the exhibition staff across NYPL
3 months, this person will:
- Work with the Associate Director to develop shared goals and expectations for exhibitions and to lead meetings with curators for upcoming exhibitions
- Manage installation assistants and scheduling for upcoming exhibitions
6 months and beyond, this person will:
- Lead the planning and implementation of Fall 2023 exhibition installations and manage Centennial exhibition planning and execution
- Begin assembling ideas for exhibitions and pop-ups for beyond 2026
- Continue working with the Associate Director to ensure successful exhibitions that draw on the Schomburg’s archival collections, attract attendees, and increase interest in Black history and culture
Responsibilities:
- Manage exhibition planning and implementation for galleries, pop-up displays, and traveling exhibitions, including details related to: installation assistants and scheduling, exhibition checklists, project schedules, establishing budgets, delivery of assets and loaned material, equipment lists, and more; liaises with Permissions, NYPL Legal, and Procurement
- Work with exhibition designers and curators to ensure cost effective and innovative design, while also working with vendors and staff to organize materials for installation, including prep work for layout of exhibition assets
- Responsible for the care and safety of exhibition objects and materials as they are moved within the Schomburg Center, prepared for shipping, stored or installed for display; liaises with Security, Collections Manager, and the Registrar
- Works with the Associate Director to develop marketing and promotional materials and manages the production of these materials including creating language for signage, exhibition publication, and other content related activities
- Oversees organizing and archiving of exhibition documentation
- Attends to administrative tasks, including organization of invoices, contracts, RFPs and other exhibition-related paperwork and monitors contracts for assigned projects to ensure obligations are met
Required Education & CertificationsRequired Education, Experience & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree
Required Experience
- Three to six years of exhibition management experience in a museum, cultural and/or educational institution
- Experience in exhibition curation, planning and coordination, preparation, construction, design, and installation in a museum, exhibition space, and/or gallery setting
- Experience with printing exhibit-related materials, including wall panels, vinyl applications, and banners
Required Skills
- Highly organized and detail oriented
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to work independently, and facilitate teams of diverse personalities.
- Proficient computer skills in MS Office, Google products, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- A commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of diverse communities
Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities
- Manage exhibition planning and implementation for galleries, pop-up displays, and traveling exhibitions and ensures the care and safety of exhibition objects and materials
- Create and manage exhibition budgets, contracts, and schedules
- Manage exhibition staff including exhibition coordinator, installation assistants, and contracted vendors
- Supports the selection and hiring of the exhibition coordinator, installation assistants, and contracted vendors
More…Please Note: Effective August 2, 2021, absent a qualifying exception for medical or religious reasons, newly hired employees of the New York Public Library must present proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination and may not begin employment at the Library until 14 days after their receipt of their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 14 days after their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Newly hired employees who need additional time to receive their vaccination prior to their start date may request an adjournment of their start date with their hiring manager. The Library will consider such requests on a case by case basis, depending upon the Library’s operational needs, among other factors. The Library will further consider exemptions for prospective employees who cannot become vaccinated due to a qualifying medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief or practice. Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment and who seek a medical or religious exemption to the Library’s vaccination policy will be provided with additional instructions at the time of the conditional offer.Core ValuesAll team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
- Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
- Be Resourceful in solving problems
- Be Curious in all aspects of your work
- Be Welcoming and Inclusive
Work Environment
- Office, storage facilities, galleries, work room
Physical Duties
- Light lifting required
- May require travel within NYC
Pre-Placement Physical Required?NoUnion/Non UnionNon-UnionFLSA StatusExemptSchedule
- 5 days per week, 7 hours per day. (Some Saturdays and evenings as required)