Collections Manager [21c Museum Hotels, Louisville, KY]

Description

Title: Collections Manager

Reports To: Chief Curator and Museum Director

Supervises: Preparators and Associate Preparators

General Purpose:

The Collections Manager is responsible for management, maintenance, storage, movement, and installation of artworks at all 21c Museums and the associated storage facility. The position requires a broad variety of experience, flexibility, and demonstrable hands-on abilities with a range of tasks. In collaboration with the entire museum team, the Collections Manager acts as a custodian for collection and loaned objects. The Collections manager will oversee collections work including art packing and unpacking, assembling and disassembling artwork, preparing works for exhibition, shipping and receiving, and other collections-related projects.  Must be willing to travel to install and deinstall exhibitions for duration ranging from 1-2 days to 2 weeks. Travel may include driving heavy duty trucks over long distances. Position requires occasional work on weekends and evenings as necessary.  Responsibilities

• Manage the permanent collection
• Organize and maintain art storage
• Install and maintain of works of art
• Plan, prioritize, and schedule work
• Hires regular and temporary staff; directs, supervises, and evaluates their work
• Supervises technicians and temporary art installers, and works alongside them, in the preparation of artwork and the installation and de-installation of artworks
• Reinforces proper art handling procedures for two- and three-dimensional art objects in a variety of materials, sizes, and weights
• Works with the Director of Museum Operations to develop and administer the departmental budget, and assists in the development of exhibition and special project budgets.
• Works with the Registrar to generate and update documentation associated with all artworks acquired or loaned by and to 21c

• Works with Chief Curator, Exhibition Designer, and Registrar on planning and installation of all temporary and permanent art projects
• Works with the Chief Curator and Registrar to develop and manage conservation initiatives
• Assess and source project needs as required including manpower and materials

• Maintain the museum’s workshop and related tools, hardware, and other equipment

Requirements

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• A degree in Museum Studies or related field
• 5 years’ experience working with collections in the capacity of Collections Manager, Registrar, or Collections Specialist.
• Experience using and maintaining collections management databases/software (Artsystems)
• Strong working knowledge/experience with creating, maintaining, and updating condition reports
• Experience with construction of museum exhibits; mountmaking principles; lighting concepts and systems; safety regulations, practices, and procedures; and ADA requirements
• Knowledge of art handling procedures for two- and three-dimensional art objects in a variety of materials, sizes, and weights
• Experience installing a wide variety of artworks
• Experience photographing artworks for print and digital publications
• Knowledge of packing and storage techniques for different mediums and material
• Experience conducting inventory, housing and re-housing projects
• Knowledge in using the standard tools, practices and methods used in painting, rough and finish carpentry as well as cabinet work
• Experience with the use and application of different materials such as various kinds of lumber, fabrics, plastics, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives
• Experience managing Preparators and Art Handlers
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision as well as training practices and procedures.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, schedule, implement, and simultaneously oversee a variety of projects
• Prepare cost estimates and make sound purchasing decisions
• Lift and move heavy objects as required
• Interpret working drawings
• Supervise, motivate, and evaluate preparation staff
• Participate effectively as a member of a cross-functional team
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with museum, hotel, and restaurant staff, the general public, and representatives from other museums
• Explain and carry out methods and procedures relating to the handling of irreplaceable objects of art
• Experience Driving a fork lift and 26’ truck
• Experience installing and maintaining New Media works
• Other duties as needed and required