Collections and Exhibitions Manager [Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, OH]

Museum Mission Statement

The Zanesville Museum of Art ignites human imagination and understanding through the visual arts.  Furthermore, its permanent collection, facilities, exhibitions, and public programs enhance the cultural life of the community and preserve its heritage.

Collections and Exhibitions Manager Position Summary

The ideal candidate manages the ZMA’s collections, records, and documentation; ensures compliance with museum policies and AAM best practices of stewardship, appraisal, accessioning, and deaccessioning; provides oversight with regard to outgoing and incoming loans and conservation of the collections; coordinates and installs temporary exhibitions; assists with the supervision of interns and volunteers; and interacts with the Board of Trustees, museum patrons, collectors, artists, museum colleagues, contractors, interns, volunteers, and press.

The candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to quality control, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative nature. The Collections and Exhibitions Manager plays a vital role in improving visitor experience and ensuring the safety and preservation of art at the museum.

Major projects include installation oversight of the Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics exhibition (Fall 2015 and Fall 2017); the planning and reinstallation of the Gorsuch Gallery with work from the ZMA’s permanent collection; the coordination of museum-organized exhibitions including the Ohio Annual Exhibition now in its 71^st year. The ZMA recently completed an American of Alliance Museums Assessment Program (MAP) grant. The candidate will play a vital role in preparing this institution for AAM accreditation within three years.

Collection Stewardship–40%

• Provide proper storage and undertake physical inventory of all works in the collections. Upgrade storage materials and research new storage concepts and materials as needed.
• Consult with contract conservators to identify artworks needing conservation, including frames.
• Prepare condition reports for works in the collections, accessions, and incoming and outgoing loans.
•  Conduct ongoing database development and management including recording storage locations, cataloging artworks, unifying lexicon, accessioning, deaccessioning, and inventory.
• Assess outgoing loan requests for suitability of artwork to travel and make recommendations to the ZMA’s executive director. Process loan requests and, if necessary, act as courier for outgoing loans.
• Provide and oversee insurance policies for the collections.
• Monitor (in cooperation with Facility Technician) HVAC conditions in the museum on a regular basis.
• Maintain collection photo files and schedule new photography.
• Coordinate all aspects of quarterly Collection Committee meetings.

Exhibition Development and Management–45%

• Coordinate, prepare, install, and de-install exhibitions as required.
• Supervise all incoming museum loans.
• Prepare loan contracts in collaboration with partner organizations, museums, and individual lenders.
• Manage crating and shipping arrangements for exhibitions, including receiving and releasing of all incoming and outgoing exhibition loans, and local deliveries.
• Oversee insurance policies for loans, including providing supplemental insurance, certificates of insurance, and processing any claims.
• Create and manage condition reports for all artwork in exhibitions. Oversee all packing and crating of artwork.
• Identify and implement security plans for exhibitions as needed. Write security reports and inform security personnel of exhibition layout and artwork security issues.
• Monitor and maintain artwork for duration of exhibition.
• Supervise and ensure maintenance of temporary storage areas.
• Maintain and update standard policies of museum, including the facility report, and standard registrarial documents.
• Cut mats and mount art works for collection and exhibition purposes as needed.

Supervision–5%

• Assist the director with the supervision of our PT collection assistant and collections interns.

Budget-2%

• Assist the director in the oversight of the fiscal year collection and exhibition budgets.

Other Duties-8%

• Participate in weekly staff meetings and collection and exhibition meetings as needed.
• Assist with grant writing projects as necessary and prepare grant reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of work experience in museum collections and/or registration required.
• Experience working on collaborative exhibition development and interdepartmental projects.
• Excellent knowledge of industry best standards and practices: preservation and conservation practices, risk assessment, and art-handling procedures.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to develop strong, positive relationships with community partners.
• Ability to resourcefully solve problems and work flexibly and accurately under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Excellent project management skills.
• A self-starter with the ability to work independently and interdepartmentally.
• Computer skills including Word, Outlook, Excel, Past Perfect or other Collections Management systems, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Position Status

• Full-time, salaried exempt status. $32,000-$37,000 commensurate with experience.
• Relocation stipend.
• Excellent benefits package includes 100% paid health insurance with vision, dental, and an HSA contribution, life insurance, vacation, personal, and sick pay, and an institutional matching contribution of 3% to a 403(b) plan.

Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names, titles, and phone numbers of three references via email toLaine@zanesvilleart.org.  The subject line should include: Collection and Exhibition Manager Position.

The position is open until filled. Submission deadline is September 1, 2015. The Zanesville Museum of Art is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community.

About The Zanesville Museum of Art

In its 79^th year, the Zanesville Museum of Art maintains an encyclopedic collection of nearly 7,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts that span thousands of years and represent diverse cultures. We hold particularly strong collections of regional American Art Pottery and glass and works on paper.  Select works are displayed in one of eighteen galleries in the 34,000 square foot modern structure constructed in 1977 and expanded in 2001. For more information visit us at www.zanesvilleart.org.