Exhibitions

Collaborate with Kemper Museum and outside curators and others to make design recommendations regarding the presentation of artworks, including wall colors, material selection, and case designs and other recommendations as needed for the safety of artworks.

Plan and manage the installation/de-installation of exhibitions, rotations, and individual works of art, coordinating schedules and details with the exhibition team.

Develop drawings and/or scale models using computer programs and other design tools to effectively communicate design ideas.

Oversee production of exhibition signage, including vinyl text, graphics, and object labels.

Oversee and participate in construction, painting, fabrication of display fixtures, mounts, and crates as needed.

Work with outside vendors and contractors in the progress and implementation of specific projects, including oversight of quality, accuracy of work, and monitoring schedules.

Responsible for packing, unpacking, and crating of art objects.

Work directly and collegially with artists, curators, and representatives on development, planning, and installation of exhibitions.

Lighting design and implementation.

Oversee and maintain appearance of exhibition spaces, including but not limited to dusting, cleaning frames, painting, and light replacement.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current museum practices relating to collections care and installation.

Attend and participate in project meetings.

Complete additional assigned tasks and requests as needed.

Collection Care

Assist the Chief Registrar and Exhibitions Manager in the care of the Permanent Collection both on display and in storage.

Responsible for the maintenance of Permanent Collection, which includes regular inspection of objects and light cleaning if necessary.

Prepare objects for loan and exhibition.

Assist the Chief Registrar and Exhibitions Manager in annual inventory.

Plan and supervise maintenance of outdoor Permanent Collection sculpture.

Responsible for the transport of objects including packing and unpacking, scheduling appropriate transportation, and monitoring objects.

Oversee truck maintenance.

Fabrication

Operate tools and equipment associated with woodworking, electrical, light construction, audio-visual, and computer displays in conjunction with the most current safety, technological, and aesthetic standards.

Provide timely estimates and schedules for construction of displays, cases, or pedestals as required.

Maintains tools and equipment required for the maintenance of the Permanent Collection, its storage, and display of individual works of art.

Ensure adherence to safe workplace practices and procedures in the operations of the Prep Department and its workshop.

Department Administration/Management

Effectively develop and administer the departmental and exhibition budgets in conjunction with the Chief Registrar and Exhibitions Manager.

Prepare cost and material estimates for installations and gallery construction.

Oversee personnel, including hiring, training, scheduling, directing, disciplining, and providing annual performance reviews of Prep department staff.

Organize department’s short-term/long-term projects and set job assignments to meet institutional deadlines and priorities.

Identify opportunities for professional development.

Work across departments on opportunities for institutional advancement in areas of exhibition design, budgeting, and cost-saving strategies; provide well thought-out opinions based on research and knowledge of trends within the Museum community.

Job Specifications

• Bachelor Degree required, Masters Degree preferred

• At least 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in exhibition planning and coordination, preparation, construction, design, and installation in a museum or other art venue; at least two years of supervisory and management experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience

• Skilled in art handling and best practices and familiar with installation techniques for traditional and new media

• Advanced knowledge of materials, fabrication techniques, and construction processes

• Knowledge and experience in exhibiting time-based media works

• Proficiency in SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and PastPerfect is required

• Superior organization and time/project-management skills

• Must possess a valid driver’s license in good standing

• Ability to drive a box truck and deliver works of art (CDL not required)

• Pass a criminal background check

• Positive attitude and strong work ethic

Physical Requirements include:

• Stand/Walk: The ability to remain on one’s feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about. The ability to move about on foot.

• Talk: The ability to express or exchange ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly by means of the spoken word, imparting information or detailed instructions to clients, to the public, or to other workers.

• Handle/Feel: The ability to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hand or hands. The ability to perceive attributes of objects and materials such as size, shape, temperature, or texture, by touching with skin, particularly fingertips.

• Stoop: The ability to bend the body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist; requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

• Reach with hands and arms: The ability to extend the hands and arms in any direction.

• Climb: The ability to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, ropes, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands or arms.

• Kneel: The ability to bend legs at the knees to come to rest on knee or knees.

• Crouch: The ability to bend the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine.

• Lifts Weight and Exerts Force: Lifts weight up to 50 lbs or exerts force by lifting, lowering, pulling, carrying, pushing, slapping, striking, kicking, pulling, or jerking.

• Vision: The ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more. The ability to identify and distinguish colors. The ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes remain fixed on a given point. Three-dimensional vision, the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships to see objects where and as they actually are. The ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This is required when doing close work at varying distances from the eye.