A Day in the Life:

Exhibitions:

Responsible for the planning, design, project management and execution of exhibition plans established by SMoCA, for both exhibitions organized internally as well as those lent from other institutions. Working in collaboration with the curatorial team, this entails:

• Create and manage a detailed schedule for installation and deinstallation.

• Ensure the completion of all related exhibition needs, including contracts for wall construction and painting, matting and framing, lighting, hardware, AV equipment, supplies, providing facilities reports, and installation fabrication.

• Oversees all technical aspects of art handling with regard to storage, installation, movement, loans and packing of objects in conjunction with Registrar and Curators.

• Researches materials and cost-effective production options and makes recommendations to curators.

• Coordinates the ongoing maintenance of the exhibition galleries, art objects and technical equipment. Monitors service contracts, installation and packing supplies, and gallery operations budget.

• Develops and maintains the workshop facility and equipment for SMoCA in collaboration with Lead Preparator.

• Oversees the maintenance and repair of tools and equipment, ensures adherence to safe workplace practices and procedures in the operations of the preparation department and the handling of art.

Collaboration:

• Works with artists to enable their projects and ideas.

• Works with curators and guest curators in the project management and execution of exhibition plans.

• Assist Registrar on the maintenance and upkeep of on- and off-site art storage areas.

• Works with Facilities Rentals department to coordinate special events, alerting staff to special issues or requests

• Manage, schedule, and instruct the Exhibitions Department’s external vendors such as painters, wall construction teams, AV specialists, and fabricators.

• Performs a variety of supervisory functions including oversight of staff, recruitment, employee relations, training, performance review, counseling, scheduling, work assignments, problem resolution etc. Direct supervisor to Lead Preparator and Preparator and part-time preparators. Supervision is performed in accordance with organizational policies and procedures and supports a positive organizational culture.

Financial:

• Work with the Director and Assistant Director to establish, maintain and adhere to departmental operating budgets.

What You Bring to Us

Education: 4-year degree in Fine Arts, Art History, or in a related field, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Experience: Requires minimum of 4 years’ experience in art handling, collections management, and exhibition design.

Attributes:

• Knowledge of the design and construction of museum exhibitions including carpentry and general construction skills.

• Knowledge of the standard tools, practices and methods used in painting rough and finish carpentry as well as cabinet work, and the use and application of different materials such as various kinds of lumber, fabrics, plastics, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives.

• Experience designing and building crates to transport artwork.

• Knowledge of museum best practices and standards in handling artworks including transportation, condition reporting, installing, and deinstalling.

• Knowledge of technical equipment including lighting, video equipment and computer set-up.

• Knowledge of SketchUp software and Adobe Photoshop

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

• Microsoft Office Fluency. Embark (collections database) experience preferred.