Specialist for Design and Install of Fine Art Exhibitions
Krannert Art Museum
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (KAM) invites applications for a full-time, twelve-month, Specialist for Design and Install of Fine Art Exhibitions.
KAM has a rich, varied, and comprehensive collection of approximately 10,000 works of art ranging from the fourth millennium BCE to the present, representing an extensive array of cultures and media and reflecting the museum’s educational mission. KAM presents 15 or more exhibitions a year (most of them organized by KAM) and over 150 educational programs and special events. Since 2004, KAM’s exhibitions have traveled to 28 cities in the United States and beyond. The museum is identified with initiatives that involve wide-ranging artists, ideas, and media, as well as those that explore compelling issues of contemporary culture and society. The topics and artists represented in its exhibitions and accompanying publications provide creative opportunities for the interdisciplinary programming that has become a signature of KAM.
KAM is an engaged partner in the intellectual work of the campus, involving students and faculty in research and development of exhibitions and museum publications, organizing interdisciplinary workshops and other exhibition programming, and inviting renowned artists and scholars to campus. Most of KAM’s exhibitions and projects actively involve faculty, students, and staff as initiators, partners, and subjects. Increasing KAM’s integration into the curriculum and enlisting more of the intellectual assets of the campus into the museum’s exhibition and educational objectives are major priorities.
Primary Position Function/Summary:
As a member of the exhibitions team this position reports to the Museum Registrar and Exhibitions Director. The successful candidate will plan and implement the preparation, installation/de-installation of works of art for exhibitions. In addition, this position will initiate the design, creation, dismantling, and inventory of all installation furnishings and signage for exhibitions.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
In addition to the primary functions identified above, required duties include:
• Create and participate in the design of installations and exhibitions.
• Create installation furnishings such as mats, frames, pedestals, mounts, sign holders, etc., and produce and install labels, signage, and other graphics consistent with design standards.
• Provide expertise to staff, faculty, students, and out-of-house designers and fabricators on methods and technical aspects of fabrication projects, safe handling and display of works of art, conservation issues, framing, and display standards.
• Develop and monitor schedules and budgets of projects. Identify and balance workload requirements between competing exhibition and collection priorities.
• Install, dismantle, mat, frame, pack, and transport works of art.
• Maintain, repair, and paint display furnishings and display walls.
• Using specialized expertise, solicit preliminary vendor estimates and initiate purchases in consult with KAM’s business personnel.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate graduate student and academic hourly installation assistants who support the exhibition team.
• Participate in developing and maintaining high quality storage for all works in the collection and on loan.
• Manage all of the physical requirements for the incoming and outgoing artwork shipments including the design and creation of required shipping crates and maintain shop records related to the projects.
• Devise transportation solutions as the driver for works of art being transported around campus and to regional locations.
• Assist in the creation, modification, installation, and calibration of multi-platform technology delivered works of art for exhibition and museum use.
• Manage the museum workshop and loading dock; including care and upkeep of the equipment and recommendations for purchase of shop equipment.
• Contact and work in concert with the required university facilities and services personnel for exhibition production and installation preparation.
• Facilitate workshops in the methods and skills of exhibition fabrication and installation as needed.
• Travel required for such duties as exhibition preparation, artwork transportation, and material procurement, with prior proper purchase authority for required materials.
• See that exhibition cases, pedestals, and other fixtures are kept clean and in good condition.
• Manage gallery lighting fixtures and light levels.
• Some evening/weekend hours are required; reliable, predictable attendance is essential to the position.
• Assume additional duties as requested to further the museums mission.
Position Requirements and Qualifications:
Required Education: A Bachelor’s degree in fine arts or related field is required. Degrees in other fields will be accepted if accompanied by sufficient professional experience.
Preferred Education: A Master’s degree in the arts or related field.
Required Experience: The qualified candidate will have a minimum of three years of experience in preparation, installation, and exhibition design in a fine art museum, gallery or related experience. Established skills in fabrication, mount making, art installation, art handling/packing and art transport. Experience with an array of audio/visual technology used in exhibitions. Excellent organizational, verbal and written skills. Must have the capacity to exercise discretion and independent judgment in the performance of duties with only general supervision or direction.
Preferred Experience: Five years or more of design and installation experience is preferred as is supervisory experience and collections care or related experience. Experience in developing a structured training program for students (undergrad and graduate) and advanced organization and management skills would be considered an asset.
Training, Licenses or Certifications
Required: Valid Driver’s license
Preferred: Class C driver’s license
Preferred Knowledge: Knowledge of museum standards, archival materials, and conservation/preservation practices, and an interest and knowledge in new media and technology.
Appointment Status: This is a full-time, 12-month academic professional position.
Salary: Commensurate with experience and includes an excellent benefits package.
Proposed Starting Date: As soon as possible
Application Deadline: November 24, 2017
Application Procedure: To ensure full consideration, all candidates must complete an online application at jobs.illinois.edu prior to the application deadline. Qualified candidates must upload a letter of application, resume, and contact information (name, address, telephone number, and email address) for three current professional references. Interviews may take place prior to the closing date; however no decision will be made until after that date. Individuals with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.
For additional information regarding the application procedures, please contact:
Kim Sissons
Krannert Art Museum Human Resources
217-333-2570 (phone)
ksissons@illinois.edu
www.kam.illinois.edu
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit go.illinois.edu/EEO. To learn more about the University’s commitment to diversity, please visit www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu.
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Categories: Job Postings