Exhibitions Manager

Description

Important to know: 

Scottsdale Arts is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment for its employees. Scottsdale Arts is an equal opportunity employer and does not allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. EOE. Scottsdale Arts requires all staff to be fully vaccinated and boosted for Covid-19 prior to their start date. We do have exemptions for medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs that would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if we can accommodate.

The Position:

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is looking for a creative logistics expert to help the museum manage its exhibition program. The ideal candidate has strong problem-solving skills, an ability to think proactively and holistically about scheduling and production, a deep dedication to the care of artworks, and a professional demeanor that translates into leading efficient and committed installation teams. The Exhibitions Manager works closely with the curatorial team, external vendors, and seasonal preparators on realizing our exhibitions’ goals. The position is full-time with benefits and during most weeks requires work onsite to connect with the larger team, while some planning may productively occur remotely.  In the weeks leading up to and during exhibition turnovers, this position is expected to be on-site five days a week. We are headquartered, and this position is based, in Scottsdale, AZ. Compensation is $54,000 - $57,000

About You:

· You are a creative problem solver who takes initiative and approaches new concepts with curiosity.

· You are detail oriented while also being able to see the bigger picture.

· You employ excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

·  You can adeptly project manage creative projects across departments, working to involve key stakeholders and manage outside collaborators, including artists, contractors, and vendors, as well as assign and meet deadlines.

· You have a proven ability and eagerness to identify technology gaps and learn new skills quickly.

· You have experience in developing, monitoring and maintaining all aspects of the budget process. 

·  You are comfortable leading others with direct oversight of staff including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, scheduling, and problem resolution. 

· The desire to work with a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative team, usually during regular museum operating hours with occasional night and weekend availability during de/installation periods.

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.

Requirements

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 and collections management.

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. 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and outside weather conditions. Evenings and weekend hours required.

Visit us at https://smoca.org/  to learn more.