Exhibition Manager, Art and Design Specialist

Chicago, United StatesOn-SiteFull-timePosted 3d ago

Job description

About SAIC

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

About the Department

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Department of Exhibition Studies brings the boundary-pushing work of acclaimed and emerging artist to Chicago audiences.

With shows and projects led by the Department of Exhibitions staff, faculty and students curators, the schools exhibition spaces are teaching galleries that engage process as a pedagogical model and more of research. Exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Position Summary

Working closely with the Director of Exhibition Operations and the Senior Exhibition Manager, the Exhibition Manager serves as a full-time staff member of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) Department of Exhibitions and works closely with all departments to facilitate events and exhibition activity organized by the SAIC Department of Exhibitions. With a special focus on art preparations and gallery logistics, the Exhibition Manager is responsible for the preparation, installation, maintenance, and de-installation of exhibitions at SAIC’s galleries.

Responsibilities

Working closely with the Exhibitions Coordinator, the Exhibition Manager serves as the lead preparator for “traditional” art media such as painting, photography, sculpture, and works on paper. In this role, the manager:

Executes and directs procedures including matting, framing, glazing, stretching, hinging, mounting, storage, packing, handling, and installation of works of art.
Designs, fabricates, installs, maintains and oversees hanging/mounting hardware for artworks.
Demonstrates and shares art-handling/preparations knowledge and techniques to student exhibitors and student staff.
Designs and maintains infrastructure and spaces for the storage of artworks.

As an administrative partner for gallery operations, the Exhibition Manager executes tasks such as:

Hiring and scheduling of student staff, independent contractors, and temporary employees.
Departmental purchasing.
Payroll/timesheet oversight.
Facilities scheduling.
Seconds the Senior Exhibition Manager in the day-to-day management of gallery and facility operations, including direct on-site supervision of student staff, temporary employees and independent contractors
Oversees, trains and assists work-study students hired to prepare, maintain, and de-install the exhibition site.

Shares responsibility for monitoring catering, security and guests, and for ensuring that occupancy and safety/security procedures are followed.
Maintains and updates training manuals for student staff.
Maintains opening and closing of the gallery as required.
Maintains daily log of temperature and humidity levels in the gallery.

Maintains and inventories tools and materials.
Assists exhibiting artists with their installations, troubleshooting and problem-solving art hanging methods, electrical, and equipment issues.

Handles works of art and supervises the transportation and installation of art in the galleries, storage, etc.

Prepares artwork for shipping to other museums, galleries, and lenders after exhibitions.
Corresponds with artists for exhibition planning as required.
Lays out and implements gallery configurations.
Coordinates schedules and duties with the Senior Exhibition Manager.
Positions signage and lights in the exhibition space and office area.
Participates in department staff meetings as required.
Other duties, as assigned by the Director of Exhibition Operations and the Senior Exhibition Manager.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s in Fine Arts of related field preferred
Two years of demonstrated expertise, art handling and art installation experience in a museum or gallery required; experience and interest in working with and mentoring students; knowledge and interest in works of art; mount making a plus; follow instructions precisely, work well under pressure and meet deadlines; sensitivity to needs of curatorial staff.
Ability to communicate effectively with people and other departments
Knowledge of policy and ability to apply that to unique situations
Ability to make objective decisions using sound judgment
Basic math skills
Knowledge of construction techniques, carpentry, and supervisory experience in an academic environment desirable
Gallery lighting design/experience desirable
CAD, Adobe Creative Suite and MAC OS experience highly desirable
Registration experience highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

Capable of stooping, bending, stretching, and lifting
Must be comfortable working on ladders and at heights
Requires a demanding level of concentration
Requires regular lifting of objects weighing up to thirty pounds
Comfortably and work with basic tools

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

Hiring Range

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Benefits
PTO Overview
Job Classification: Exempt
Employment Category: Full time
Grade Level: 5

If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/artic.edu/employment for complete information

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Union

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [email protected].

Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.

Open job posting

About the company

Saic

SAIC is a technology integrator providing solutions and services to the U.S. government.

View all Saic jobs

Industry: Information Technology
Open roles: 983