Manager of Exhibitions and Collections (part time)

Manager of Exhibitions and Collections (part time)
20 hours per week, including occasional weekend and evening hours for programs.
Flexible schedule, including hybrid work possibilities

Summary:

As the museum ends a banner year with two blockbuster exhibitions, including Picasso: Fifty Years Later, the Elmhurst Art Museum seeks a seasoned and creative manager with excellent communication and organization skills to help lead its art and architecture programming into the future.

As the Manager of Exhibitions and Collections, you will be a part of finalizing the 5-year strategic plan (scheduled to be finalized and implemented this Winter), and integral to its execution including plans for the museum’s exhibits and collections for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. As a key member of a small professional team you will:

• Plan all aspects of the museum’s exhibitions and direct all related logistics, including developing and overseeing related public programs;

• Oversee the museum’s collection, most notably the McCormick House by Mies van der Rohe, which hosts rotating exhibitions and displays;

• Develop and maintain exhibition metrics and program evaluation methods;

• Develop design materials for exhibitions, including exhibition graphics and promotional materials;

Details:

During its 26th year, the Elmhurst Art Museum installed new climate-controlled infrastructure to host premiere exhibits and its collections. This staff role will likewise prepare the museum for its future, carrying out the 5-year strategic plan which includes improving on its collections management and premiere exhibition planning. As an integral team member of the organization, you would not only help finalize goals and tactics of this plan, but also realize this plan established by the staff and board with community feedback.

As a critical staff member, you will design and implement programs that uphold and fulfill organizational values such as “art is for everyone.” You will cultivate and nourish strong relationships with colleagues and community partners, both internally and externally, leveraging the museum’s focus on art and architecture for the last 25 years, while reimagining existing programs and activities to be more inclusive. The ideal candidate is a resourceful, empathetic, thoughtful, and dynamic teammate who can build capacity to grow, innovate, and impact the greater western suburbs in meaningful and imaginative ways.

During the first 90 days of the job, you will:

1. Plan and execute the closing of Picasso: Fifty Years Later, including the return of artwork from artists and lenders, overseeing art handlers, close out organizational exhibit and budget reports.

2. Plan and execute final stages of A Love Supreme, a solo show by the designer Norman Teague inspired by jazz music with an accompanying group show that reimagines the McCormick House by Chicago-area designers. This includes finalizing loan arrangements, writing and designing text panels, assisting exhibiting artists, shipping artwork, plus hiring temporary art handlers and overseeing external vendors to install the exhibitions.

3. Develop exhibition and promotional graphics for A Love Supreme and other upcoming museum exhibitions and events.

4. Support the museum team efforts to host the Art in Wilder Park festival, which attracts 8,000 – 11,000 visitors each May, plus an accompanying public art installation.

5. Assist the Executive Director to meet exhibition and public program metrics.

6. Support plans for upcoming main gallery exhibition schedules, plans, and logistics for other 2024 seasons and beyond. Lead plans to curate upcoming exhibitions in Mies van der Rohe’s McCormick House.

As a unique arts complex, the Elmhurst Art Museum is deeply committed to three distinct areas of focus to inspire and enrich our community: art, education, and architecture. Together the Education Center, main galleries, and McCormick House are complementary and require a keen curatorial voice. This position works with the Executive Director to program the main galleries as well as Mies van der Rohe’s McCormick House, and to collaborate with the Manager of Education to provide necessary interpretation in both areas.

Principal Responsibilities:

Internal Coordination: 25% of time

- In partnership with the Executive Director, support exhibition programs and initiatives to support the expansion of new audiences that integrate principles of DEAI (diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion). The exhibitions and programs follow an academic calendar (Spring, Summer, Fall).

- Coordinate with internal staff, artists and curators, the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild, and external partners to plan upcoming programming in advance of print and other deadlines.

- Participate in museum’s Programming Committee, DEAI Committee, and establish corresponding goals.

- Participate in all staff museum events such as fundraisers, museum receptions, and other programs, including overseeing a weekend program approximately once a month.

Exhibition and Program Planning: 35% of time

- Along with the Executive Director, plan and execute exhibitions that provide cultural enrichment for the museum’s community.

- Work with the Manager of Education to develop and oversee public programs related to exhibitions such as artist talks, tours, and more.

- With the Executive Director build and maintain relationships with local artists, curators, and community partners through multiple communication channels.

- Plan exhibition layouts, anticipating any supplies, problem solving, and installation needs such as projectors, pedestals, graphics, and other display needs.

- Provide hands-on participation of exhibition installations, while managing the assistance of temporary art handlers, in order to create dynamic experiences for visitors.

- Create graphics and promotional materials for upcoming programs.

- Give public talks and tours with a developed curatorial voice.

- Act as a museum representative at local community events.

Collection Care: 20% of time

- Maintain and store the museum’s collection on- and off-site, as well as the packing, movement, and documentation of artwork in support of the museum’s art and architecture programming.

- Maintain installations, interpretation, and facility needs of the McCormick House, designed by Mies van der Rohe.

- Record and manage collection items in database and permanent collection storage.

- Prepare collection areas and materials for museum accreditation reviews.

Planning and Coordination: 10% of time

- Maintain exhibition timelines with internal and external partners.

- Work with internal staff to publish exhibition listings before any print deadlines.

- Develop and distribute select print materials about exhibition programs.

- Create impact reports about exhibition programs for marketing, fundraising, and other organizational efforts.

- Maintain active and open lines of communication with curators, artists, lenders, the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild, and external partners.

Record Keeping: 10% of time

- Develop and administer budget and financial commitments for all exhibitions, related programs, and collections management.

- Collect photos, success stories, student/teacher surveys, evaluation data, project documentation, and other participation data for impact reports.

- Work with Executive Director to evaluate success through participation levels and maintain records for all programs and activities.

Compensation:

$23 - $25 Hourly

Flexible schedule, including hybrid work possibilities

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Qualifications:

- Intrapersonal, collaborative, and organizational skills.

- Minimum of three years of related experience in museum or gallery installations, collections care, or related field.

- Planning skills to help balance and anticipate needs for multiple exhibit timetables.

- Management experience, which is necessary to oversee third-party vendors, temporary installation staff, and interns.

- Experience with creating exhibition & promotional graphics and giving public tours are a must.

- Experience developing and evaluating museum exhibitions and collections, including knowledge of standard museum loan and registration practices.

- Bachelor’s degree in fine art, art history, museum studies, or equivalent. Master’s degree preferred.

- Familiarity with local and regional artists, galleries, curators, and/or collectors.

- Ability to prioritize and advance multiple projects simultaneously while working independently with resourcefulness and flexibility.

- Skill and willingness to take initiatives to proactively anticipate organizational needs including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines.

- Ability to provide creative solutions and utilize diplomatic skills when working with artists, lenders, vendors, or other parties.

- Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include occasional evening and weekend assignments.

- Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Adobe Creative Suite – including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign.

- Knowledge of audio-visual equipment, and collections database software

- Basic skills in carpentry, art gallery preparation (paint, spackle, etc), and some knowledge of the methods and materials used in museum exhibits.

- Current Driver's license.

- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, and operate heavy machinery.

- As a member of a small team, other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or reassigned to this position.

How to Apply

To apply send cover letter and resume to employment[at}elmhurstartmuseum.org

- We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for any role. If most of this job description describes you, then please apply.

The Elmhurst Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer. The Elmhurst Art Museum is an arts complex with three distinct areas of focus. A balance of art, education, and architecture programming is central to our efforts of inspiring and enriching our community. We strive to hold public art events, as well as educational hands-on activities, related to rotating contemporary art exhibitions and the celebration of the McCormick house, a rare single-family home designed by Mies van der Rohe. The Elmhurst Art Museum is located in Elmhurst (IL), 25 minutes from downtown Chicago by public transportation (Metra).