Associate Director for Exhibitions [The J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, CA]

Description

Job Summary:

Requirements

The Program: Working with the Director and Associate Director for Collections, the Associate Director for Exhibitions will:

• Organize a dynamic and engaging series of temporary exhibitions based on innovative research and sound scholarship that enhances and complements the Museum’s permanent collection and strives for excellence in all aspects.
• Leverage strategic partnerships with museums, lenders, and cultural ministries to develop exhibition projects of the highest caliber.
• Foster innovation and experimentation in developing and enhancing interpretive strategies and new technologies, encouraging open-mindedness amongst colleagues.
• Ensure that the Getty’s exhibitions program is varied and diverse in subject matter and approach, with opportunities both to synthesize existing scholarship and to take risks with novel and innovative initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with Museum and other Getty staff, Council members, and Getty trustees, as well as external resources and donors, in the implementation of this vision.
• Provide complete financial oversight for the program as a whole, including the establishment of detailed project budgets and accurate reporting and forecasting.

Loan Exhibitions: Establish and realize an ambitious, scholarly, and compelling schedule of major international loan exhibitions at both the Getty Center and the Getty Villa, identify and secure partners/venues/other external collaborators, and be a strategic partner with curators, the Associate Director for Collections, and the Director in key loan negotiations. Cultivate and oversee outside consultants, including guest curators, who can provide added depth and additional resources to the program. Continue to foster the Getty’s reputation as a sought-after partner. Encourage and oversee smaller scale, focused loan exhibitions to build broad based curatorial experience and balance the program. A major long term project initiatives is the Classical World in Context, a detailed, multi-year series of exhibitions, long-term loans, and scholarly programs devoted to the theme of the Classical World in Context, beginning with an exhibition on Egypt and the Classical World at the Getty Center in FY18.

Rotating Collection Exhibitions: Highlight the strengths of the collections of works on paper – illuminated manuscripts, drawings, and photographs – and other holdings not on permanent view through special exhibitions and displays. Exploit opportunities to present new acquisitions in upcoming exhibitions. Increase opportunities for touring collection-based shows to multiple venues, as appropriate, with sufficient lead time. Explore lively and varied approaches to presentation and interpretation. Continue to both originate and seek out loan exhibitions related to the rotating collections, whilst maintaining the priority of presenting the Museum’s own permanent collection.

Permanent Collection Reinstallations and Long Term Loans: Manage all major collection reinstallations and other special in-gallery projects. These currently include a major reinstallation of the Getty Villa galleries and an interpretive gallery devoted to J. Paul Getty’s life and legacy at the Getty Center. Work with other Museum staff in seeking out opportunities to present important loans to the collection, frequently emanating from conservation partnerships with international museums, either in the permanent collection galleries or in dedicated exhibition space.

Analysis and Adaptability: Encourage evaluations (internal and external) in order to benefit from past experience and shape future directions. Continuously collect and analyze audience and attendance data to inform the Museum’s efforts.

Communication and Collaboration: Lead by example and encourage active collaboration among Museum and Trust staff. Work with Communications colleagues to insure successful promotion of individual exhibitions as well as the exhibitions program as a whole. Work with Development colleagues to secure sponsorship for Museum exhibitions and installations. Provide and support opportunities for the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Research Institute, and the Getty Foundation within the exhibitions program, either through collaborations or solely-curated exhibitions. Leverage the full impact of the Getty Trust and all its programs and resources in choosing and negotiating with partners, lenders, and outside consultants.

Leadership and Team Building: Articulate and advocate for the Museum’s exhibition program and priorities clearly and effectively to all constituencies including the Getty Museum and Getty Trust management, the Getty Trustees, and the wider public. Mentor and motivate a high performing team, maintaining a service- and team-oriented departmental culture with a clear structure, including transparency on how each individual’s role supports departmental goals, open lines of communication and lines of accountability. Maintain the Museum’s active presence within national and internal peer associations and the generous sharing of information to colleagues worldwide.

Management: The Associate Director for Exhibitions is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Exhibitions department (one principal project specialist, two senior exhibition coordinators, and one associate exhibitions coordinator) and is also the direct supervisor of the Head of Design (with 10 staff) and the Head of Preparation (with 20 staff). All three departments work across both sites. The combined annual budget under this position’s management is over $6 million. As a member of the Museum’s Senior Management team, she/he will participate in strategic planning, budgeting, and decision-making for the Museum overall while working closely and collaboratively with other divisions of the Museum to realize an ambitious, world renowned exhibitions program and successful gallery reinstallations. She/he will also work actively with colleagues across the Getty Trust.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

The Associate Director for Exhibitions will be a leader in the field with proven experience in developing and managing a world class exhibitions program. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for art; a broad awareness of exhibition programming across major international museums and high level contacts throughout those institutions; keen financial acumen; excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills; sound judgement, pragmatism, and a strong sense of integrity and personal responsibility; the ability to address complex issues and disagreements, resolve conflicts, and remain calm in high pressure situations; a commitment to intellectual inquiry and visitor engagement; the ability to recruit, manage, and develop staff; prior experience working with a board and/or multiple stakeholders; and a strong commitment to quality and excellence.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities of this position;
• A minimum of a Bachelor of Arts degree, Art History preferred;
• Broad knowledge of the history of art;
• A broad network of national and international peers and other museum colleagues;
• Deep knowledge of exhibition concepts, practices, policies, and procedures;
• Extensive experience with international projects and partners;
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in museums and professional standards;
• Financial fluency and experience with detailed budget creation, oversight, and reporting;
• Excellent writing skills;
• A proven track record as an excellent team leader and facilitator, authoritative and decisive yet open-minded and encouraging of new ideas and quieter but essential voices;
• The ability to travel as the demands of the position and the Getty’s objectives require;