Head of Installation and Exhibition Design
R505610
San Francisco
About CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts: Founded in 1998, CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts is a nonprofit exhibition venue and research institute dedicated to contemporary art and ideas. The Wattis is a laboratory for testing the future of contemporary art through temporary exhibitions, public events, and in-depth research. It is part of the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. For more information, visit wattis.org
Position Summary: The Head of Installation and Exhibition Design is responsible for the design, fabrication, and installation of all exhibitions at the Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts at the California College of the Arts. working closely with curators and artists, and overseeing temporary installation staff. He/she also also oversees the maintenance, condition, and security of the Wattis’ gallery and event spaces. This full-time position reports to the Director/Chief Curator.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Exhibition Design (20%)
Works with Wattis Director, Curator, Exhibitions Manager, and artists to design the installation of all exhibitions
Produces floor plans, SketchUp simulations, and other relevant renderings to assist artists and curators in designing exhibitions, including architecture, display furniture, lighting, and other element
Exhibition/Event Installation and Production (60%)
Works with Wattis Director, Curator, Exhibitions Manager, and artists to plan the production and installation of all exhibitions, performances, and other events
Works with artists to fabricate artworks, exhibition furniture, including any hiring and/or consulting with specialists and outside fabricators
Recruits, hires, trains, schedules, and supervises the temporary staff for all installations and de-installations
Processes and submits timesheets for all temporary staff for CCA Accounting
Develops and maintains production, installation, and de-installation schedules
Maintains, sources, and purchases all supplies and tools necessary for exhibition/artwork production, event production, exhibition installation, exhibition de-installation, AV, as well as for gallery maintenance and office environment
Works with the Exhibitions Manager to oversee the crating and uncrating of works, including the fabrication of new shipping crates for national and international shipment
Ensures that proper security and art-handling techniques are used by all staff at all times
Provide staff and gallery assistants with in-person training and written instructions on turning on/off all exhibitions and correct safety precautions
Acts as liaison with CCA and San Francisco Health and Safety to confirm that exhibition installation and artist works conform to Health and Safety standards, including Fire and Earthquake and ADA requirement
Regularly inspects the galleries to make sure all exhibitions are well maintained and in working order
Supports Deputy Director in the production and packing of limited edition artworks
Oversees technical setup for all lectures, performances, and other events
Facilities and Storage (20%)
Organizes, maintains, and oversees the workshop, including all tools, supplies, and equipment
Maintains up-to-date inventory of all equipment and contents of all storage units
Regularly monitors the building, including environmental controls, air vents, the alarm systems, the roof, and all other parts of the building, coordinating with CCA Facilities as needed
Regularly monitors and maintains the security systems, coordinating with CCA Security as needed
Organizes, maintains, and oversees off-site storage units
Acts as main Wattis liaison for CCA’s Facilities and Security departments
Organizes, maintains, and oversees the Wattis event space, including equipment maintenance, furniture fabrication, signage installation, and other technical needs
Works with Wattis Director, CCA Facilities, and outside consultants in all building-related initiatives, research, problem-solving, and projects
Other duties as assigned
MINIMUM REQUIRMENTS:
BFA or MFA in Studio Art or minimum 3 years professional experience in the field of exhibition production and installation
In-depth knowledge of fabrication techniques, tools, and art production
Ability to work with close attention to detail
Willingness to learn new skills
Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; excellent time-management, and problem-solving skills
Ability to follow through and meet deadlines while coordinating many current and long range projects simultaneously
Ability to support management decisions in a positive, professional manner
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with a small team
Willingness to work evenings and weekends
Must have a valid driver’s license
Must be able to lift of 50 pounds, climb ladders and operate scissor lift
Application Instructions
Applicants are required to attach a cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Recommended document file formats are Word or PDF. If there are multiple attachments, we recommend compressing/zipping your files into a zip format file. There is also a place in the application for you to provide a link to large documents. Please submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions.
Application Deadline
For staff positions, screening begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.
EEO Statement
As an educational and cultural institution, California College of the Arts has a responsibility to provide access and opportunities for all people, with special attention to supporting groups historically underrepresented in higher education.
We believe that a culturally diverse campus is integral to academic excellence, and our student, faculty, staff, and trustee bodies should reflect the diverse world in which we live, with attention to race, ethnicity, religious creed, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and ability.
California College of the Arts is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to its diversity.
Questions?
Please address any questions to mailto:hr@cca.edu.
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/1849424.
Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (CCA) is an independent art college with 21 undergraduate programs in architecture, design, fine arts, visual studies, and writing. The college also has graduate programs in architecture, comics, curatorial practice, design, design strategy, film, fine arts, visual and critical studies, and writing. Through these programs, the college has created a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment. Diverse cultural perspectives enrich the CCA community and the college believes that continuing to expand the horizons of the students and faculty is essential to achieving its educational objectives. With campuses in Oakland and San Francisco, CCA currently enrolls 1,950 full-time students.