« Back to all jobs Exhibition and Collections Manager
- Employer: Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
- Salary: $50,000-$53,000 per year
Encompassing the professional roles of museum registrar, exhibitions preparator, collections manager, and security and facilities supervisor, this position plays a key role in managing museum operations. Oversees long-range planning efforts and day-to-day activities related to the preservation and care of the permanent collection. Manages independently the safety and security of the permanent art collection and all works of art on the premises, directs and supervise exhibition installations, and manages the physical facilities to mitigate risk to art from damage, deterioration, or theft. Participates in the assessment, education, and implementation of museum standards and best practices of collections policies and procedures for Museum of Art staff and teaches students professional collections management methods. Participates in grant writing, reporting, and budgeting.
Duties / Responsibilities
Registrar
Responsible for the Collection Management System and population of complete and accurate records related to museum collections and exhibitions: acquisitions, deaccessions, loans, contracts, insurance, inventories, correspondence, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, University policies, and professional ethical guidelines. Develops short and long-range plans for collection development, conservation issues, and storage.
Create and oversee procedures and systems for collections database and digital image library management to ensure accuracy of data, preserve confidentiality of donors, while providing access to collection data by Museum staff, students, faculty and researchers. Coordinate photography and develop digitization standards and procedures for accurate documentation. Knowledge of current IP and copyright laws necessary.
Security
Responsible for the development and implementation of comprehensive security and safety, emergency preparedness, and fire prevention policies and programs to mitigate risks to Museum staff, visitors, works of art in the possession of the museum, and museum facilities. Serve as liaison with UNH Police and Fire Departments and external vendors. On call 24/7 as primary contact for Dispatch. Hires, trains, and supervises undergraduate gallery attendants.
Facilities
Directs facilities management, risk management, and security management, working with departments across campus to design, update, and evaluate Museum operations, policies, and procedures to safeguard staff, visitors, works of art, and University property. Responsible for physical facilities requirements, including electronic security, fire safety, environmental controls, lighting, maintenance, and regular housekeeping (also training housekeeping staff in approved museum-standard methods). Ensure the physical environment and security protocols of the Museum meets, to the best of its abilities, AAM facilities standards so that the Museum remains in good standing and is eligible to borrow and display works of art from other institutions.
Exhibition Manager/Preparator
Direct all phases and elements of exhibition production. Organize and execute the installation and removal of six to seven exhibitions annually, including managing the installation of sculpture on campus or site-specific projects. Research and write exhibition didactic, wall labels and text panels and other exhibition graphics and employ AV, multi-media, and technical expertise to solve design issues in areas of exhibition graphic design, digital media, lighting, fabrication, online call for entries, and exhibition materials.
Prepares and oversees loan agreements, contracts, incoming and outgoing receipts, and conditions reports. Oversees insurance; reports and files claims on damaged objects. Responsible for the insurance, safe-handling, and security of works of art on the premises and in-transit. Some travel required.
Review, evaluate, and respond to exhibition proposals, administer call-for-entries submissions.
Collection Manager
Oversees object preservation, acquisition, cataloguing and deaccessioning. Identifies collection priorities and plan project schedules in coordination with the director. Supervise and provide access to the permanent art collection for research, study, and teaching while mitigating security and safety risks. Implement and enforce procedures and security systems for access, use, and handling of the collection, data entry, and inventory management.
Create, establish, and implement proper procedures for periodic inventories, conduct inspections of works of art for signs of deterioration, damage, insect or mold infestations, and maintain current condition reports noting assessment and recommending works of art in need of conservation or repair.
Select, research, recommend, and prepare works of art in collaboration with the Education and Outreach Manager for curricular integration, public programming, and display. Oversee the Collection Study Area and permanent collection by ensuring works of art are in suitable physical condition for display, records are current, and security protocols are followed. Instruct and supervise student employees working on cataloguing, rehousing, and research projects. Knowledge of matting and framing required.
Serve as liaison for Board of Advisors’ collections committee and other campus committees as needed. Assess all works of art recommended for acquisition or deaccession to ensure compliance with University and external regulatory requirements, professional and ethical guidelines, and established collecting goals.
Teaching/Training
In collaboration with Museum staff, interview, hire, supervise, and teach students current museum methodologies and facilities security. Design, implement and utilize MyCourses to organize and provide educational materials and information, conduct student assessments, and overall performance evaluations.
Administrative
In collaboration with the Director of the Museum of Art, participate in researching and writing grant proposals that support collection and exhibition activities. Work collaboratively with on-campus and off-campus partners to implement grant-funded projects relating to collection and exhibition activities.
Evaluate, recommend, and implement digital strategies for curricular use, public access, and to improve Museum operations. Integrate IT into existing UNH systems and internal workflows, or create new ones to support digital content.
Perform related duties as assigned.
