Collaborative Exhibits Manager [Chicago Cultural Alliance]

A growing consortium of Chicago-area ethnic museums, cultural centers, and historical societies partnered with mainstream institutions and agencies, the Chicago Cultural Alliance (CCA) works toward its mission of effecting social change and public understanding of cultural diversity through first voice perspectives. Through cross-cultural educational, public, and organizational capacity building programs, the CCA enriches the cultural fabric of Chicago. The CCA offers a new model of collaboration, one that benefits small and large organizations alike and prioritizes the rich perspectives and experiences of Chicago’s diverse ethnic communities.

The CCA increases the visibility and impact of Chicago’s ethnic assets by leveraging partnerships between member organizations and major cultural and government institutions. We provide organizational development assistance to our members in an effort to assure the long-term efficacy of our public education, marketing, preservation, and cultural programs. The CCA has adopted a Civic Engagement Model that guides all of its programming and leads Core Members in an effort to connect cultural heritage and practices to contemporary issues, such as health care, im/migration, and the environment. All CCA programming is guided by the interests and needs of our member organizations and partner institutions.

General Description

The Collaborative Exhibits Manager coordinates the work of CCA staff, member organization staff and volunteers, contractors, and vendors to assure that CCA’s joint exhibition initiatives are developed, designed, and fabricated to national standards, within schedule and budget limitations, while fostering a spirit of community and teamwork. In developing its collaborative, cross-cultural exhibits, the CCA uses the community curation principles developed by the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. The Manager will at varying times act as leader, as mentor, and as cheerleader, as the CCA undertakes its first major collaborative exhibit, Chicago’s Families, alongside other seasonal exhibits.

Duties and Responsibilities

Fosters strong and trusting relationships with member and partner organizations

Leads diverse teams to realize project vision

Convenes and manages meetings of multiple project teams charged with functions such as design, exhibit content, fundraising, programs, and strategy

Coordinates 10 project teams to culminate in 10 simultaneous, community-curated installations that tell a cohesive story as a joint exhibit

Provides creative and encouraging leadership to member organizations with wide ranging experience in exhibit design and production

Mentors member organizations in exhibition development, design, and implementation

Assists with recruitment of contractors and vendors

Manages teams, contractors, vendors to stay on budget and on timeline

Incorporates diverse visions and voices for unified look and format to multi-sited exhibit

Assists Director of Programs in tracking budgets and timelines

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Social Science, Project Management, Design or related degree

At least 5 years of experience in at least two of the following:

• Developing interpretive exhibits

• Exhibition and/or program development using community engagement and curation strategies
• Coordinating complex projects

• Developing budgets and schedules

• Management of teams, vendors, and contractors

Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office required; skill with Vectorworks, Adobe Creative Suite and Past Pefect programs desired

Ability to see big picture while maintaining attention to detail

Proven success in project management and multi-tasking

Strong collaborative work ethic and ability to work independently

Superior interpersonal, oral and written communication skills that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and can be used to build consensus

Eagerness to learn, to explore, and to experiment, to lead and to work as a team, and to contribute significantly to a rapidly growing and unique non-profit organization

Ability to schedule and prioritize work and meet deadlines

Ability to identify problems and recommend solutions

Passion for the vision and mission of the Chicago Cultural Alliance

Preferences

Experience working with Chicago’s Latino, Asian, or African-American communities

Experience working in Chicago’s creative community, especially its museum network

Experience working in a not-for-profit organization and in deadline driven environment

Position Details

Salary commensurate with experience. This is a one year full time, fully-benefitted, grant-funded position with possibility for renewal pending funding. This position requires a flexible schedule and ability to travel throughout the city and suburbs; applicants must be willing to work some evenings and weekends.