The Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis is seeking an Exhibit Manager & Chief Preparator to work in a startup environment under the direction of the Senior Director, Curatorial and Collections.
The Exhibit Manager & Chief Preparator is responsible for the design, fabrication, construction, and installation of exhibits, the preparation of gallery spaces for exhibits, and the preparation and safe handling of objects to be exhibited. Working with curators, artists, registrars, and other museum staff, the position produces and coordinates exhibitions, including schedules and budgets, and oversees all areas of preparation and art transport.
The Exhibit Manager & Chief Preparator leads planning and management of exhibit installations, rotations, and individual artworks coordinating schedules and implementation details with other staff and contractors. The position oversees gallery lighting systems; contracts with and supervises art handling crew; and oversees production and installation of exhibition graphics, signage, and labels.
The incumbent must apply the highest level of museum standards in security, environmental controls, safety, and art handling, and ensure adherence to safe workplace practices and procedures in the handling of art and the operation of collections storage, exhibition, and workshop spaces. The position works directly with artists and art collectors and must be knowledgeable about care of artwork and able to communicate effectively.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Five years of progressively responsible experience in exhibition planning and coordination, preparation, construction, design, and installation in an art museum of similar or greater size and complexity.
- Experience applying the most stringent museum standards of safe and secure art handling.
- Experience physically handling delicate and valuable artworks with extreme care.
- Experience working with complex museum lighting systems, including technical expertise and implementation of exhibition lighting plans.
- Experience working with art storage methods and knowledge of museum standards for storage of art objects.
- Experience managing complex projects, including planning, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines.
- Experience managing project budgets.
- Experience of successful collaboration with staff and outside vendors/contractors including artists, fabricators, graphic designers, and other professional colleagues.
- Experience using heavy equipment such as scissor lifts, gantries, and other equipment used to reach or move large artworks.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to clearly provide information and direction to staff, contractors, and vendors.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Skills in framing, matting, and mount making.
- Experience in drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts and other professional agreements.
- Experience using managerial and leadership skills to lead by example and encourage collaborative efforts.
- Experience in applying creative solutions to construction and display challenges.
- Experience in launching new projects and/or working in start-up environments.
- Experience using interpersonal, communication, collaborative, negotiating and team-building skills to establish and maintain good working relationships with colleagues, faculty, vendors, volunteers and university officials, with an emphasis on tact, diplomacy, flexibility, professionalism and discretion.
For more information and to apply by October 29, 2015, visit https://www.employment.
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