Director of Exhibitions

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The James A. Michener Art Museum looks to create a multidisciplinary, visitor-centered exhibition planning approach that presents artwork and objects that reflects different viewpoints and perspectives. We seek a Director of Exhibitions to join a team intent upon making the Michener an inspiring place to be and an indispensable community resource.

Most exhibitions are developed in-house, while others are brought in from peer venues and traveling exhibition programs. Exhibitions are a fundamental component of the Michener’s mission to help visitors connect with creative arts of all kinds. Exhibitions are the most important expression of the Museum’s mission, and the anchor from which most programming and events stem. They range in cost and are an essential driver of attendance, community connections, and revenue.

The Michener was founded in 1988 as an independent, non-profit cultural institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting the art and cultural heritage of the Delaware Valley. The Museum is named for Doylestown’s most famous son, the Pulitzer-Prize winning writer, James A. Michener. The Museum is housed in the former Bucks County Prison and has evolved from a modest facility with a locally derived mission to an accredited museum with a broad vision. A solid collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and special exhibitions showcasing a wide range of historical and contemporary work attract annually more than 135,000 visitors, with an annual operating budget of $3.5M, close to half of which is supported by revenue from admissions, programming, and events. One of the over-arching objectives of the Michener is to be perceived as a must-visit institution by audiences across the Greater Philadelphia area.

The Director of Exhibitions leads and manages exhibition design and development, production, installation, evaluation, and maintenance of temporary, traveling, and long-term exhibitions and galleries for the Michener Art Museum. The Michener presents between 5-7 exhibitions of varying scale annually. Through a team-driven process, that works closely with the Chief Curator and Director of Public Engagement, the Director creates the plans, develops or interprets content, designs or oversees the full exhibition design, and oversees the fabrication, implementation, and evaluation of exhibitions that express the mission and vision of the Michener and promotes best practices in visitor experience, experiential learning, and communication design standards. The Director will be a champion for the Museum’s overall aesthetics and maintenance and work with internal teams to develop a visual identity and consistency throughout the Museum.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the strategic and financial implications of exhibition decisions, of the importance of cross-departmental and community collaborations, and the requirement of exhibition planning in line with the interests, lifestyles, and activities of Greater Philadelphia region residents, visitors, and partner institutions. The position will supervise the preparations team, graphic designer, as well as contracted fabricators, carpenters, designers, content developers and interpreters, and works in close collaboration with curatorial, public engagement, education, development, and financial executives. Responsibilities also include departmental administration and the management and development of project budgets and schedules.

The Director of Exhibitions reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the Michener.

Primary Responsibilities:

ADMINISTRATION

Participate as a member of the Museum’s Executive Team. Work closely with the Executive Director and directors to address high-level organizational issues and opportunities. Attend board meetings and take on occasional cross-functional projects to advance mission.
As the head of the Exhibitions Department, direct and supervise a team of exhibition planners, content providers, interpreters, designers, preparators, and support staff; makes assignments to effectively manage human resources; both challenges and supports staff in implementing an exhibition program and gallery improvements that address strategic goals.
Works collaboratively with leadership colleagues to leverage the exhibition program in support of fundraising/philanthropy, marketing and communications, programming, learning, and inclusion.
Working closely with the Executive Director, Chief Curator and Director of Public Engagement, create and manage the Interpretive Strategy, Design Standards, and Exhibition Planning Strategy for the Museum.
Continually works with colleagues to improve systems and processes and the overall workplace environment.
Makes presentations to the Board of Directors as requested.

EXHIBITION PLANNING

Drives executive group discussions and decision-making around exhibition selection, scheduling, and budgets, cognizant of best practices and audience engagement trends, and focusing on delivering an engaging series of exhibitions that drive attendance in a financially responsible way.
Schedules and sets agenda for review meetings, which include reviewing exhibition proposals of interest and proposed gallery changes; facilitates exhibition and project selection process; builds a strong and balanced 3-5 year annual exhibition schedule; and manages unresolved openings/conflicts on the exhibition calendar.
As part of the exhibition and gallery review process, assesses risk (in cost/benefit terms), reviews constraints and evaluates the feasibility of staging various exhibitions; develops preliminary expense, revenue and attendance budgets for each individual exhibition; ensures that all affected departments participate and contribute to the review process.
Serves as the central coordinating point on the long-range exhibition and gallery planning calendar (ideally 5 years); serves as the central coordinating point on the exhibition and gallery improvements programs.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Builds a detailed exhibition project schedule for each approved exhibition and gallery project, and oversees project alignment with the master schedule.
Builds preliminary budgets for all approved exhibitions and gallery projects in consultation with colleagues in other departments. Tracks individual and consolidated exhibition budgets through planning and production, including tours of traveling exhibitions.
Manages all contract negotiations for borrowed exhibitions and develops and negotiates contracts for traveling exhibitions. Additional contract work may include letters of agreement with living or installation artists as needed or in situations where a standard loan agreement will not suffice.
Develops/maintains rapport with counterparts at peer institutions worldwide, keeping an ear to the ground for exhibitions available for travel.
Leads exhibition production team in establishing appropriate protocol for gallery floor and installation/deinstallation management all exhibitions.
Manages RFP processes and all contracts, MOUs, agreements, contracts and such for external designers, other exhibition vendors, partners, venues, etc. as required, with support as needed.

EXHIBITION INTERPRETATION AND DESIGN

Responsible for the interpretation and 2D and 3D design of all exhibitions and galleries in the Museum, including the creation of interpretive plans and design drawing packages for construction, fabrication, and installation of art objects
Work closely with Curatorial, Preparations, and Public Engagement to manage and track all aspects of design and implementation of the exhibition and permanent collection installations, including the distribution of floor plans and other design materials related galleries and exhibitions to internal and external stakeholders
With the Chief Curator and Director of Public Engagement, create accessible and engaging labels, interactives, and other interpretation elements for exhibitions and permanent collection installations.
Consult with other staff on other aspects of design as necessary, to ensure a consistent visual brand, style, and voice for the entire Museum.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully developing and executing exhibitions in a supervisory role and the following experience and qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Design or Architecture required, Master’s degree preferred, with 4-6 years’ experience in related field, or combination of education and experience required.
Proficiency with the Microsoft Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and computer-aided design programs such as Vectorworks or Google Sketch Up, and a working knowledge of collections database software.
Comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge techniques in interpretation and design including a basic knowledge of lighting design and understanding of materials and fabrication techniques with sensitivity to contemporary conservation standards.
A good listener and strategist; comfortable receiving input from many internal and external sources, and able to analyze and formulate disparate information into sound, well-organized plans.
Strong existing relationships with peers and colleagues, familiarity with the work of exhibition thought leaders, and others involved in shaping audience experiences with art, history, and culture; a person with a track-record of shaping an exhibition schedule that excites visitors and elevates attendance figures.
Demonstrated expertise in complex project management and budgeting; experience managing museum professionals, staff, and vendors; a strong embrace of diverse perspectives and interests; a strong, hands-on background in exhibition workflows, project management, procedures, controls, and in-process status reporting.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including the means to address issues in non-confrontational ways; the credibility to serve as an effective spokesperson; experience working with scholars, curators, artists, communities, educators, and others in an inventive, entrepreneurial spirit; emotionally mature with a sense of humor and an ability to maintain balance and perspective.
A talent for planning, prioritizing, organizing, and following through; a hard worker with a high energy level who welcomes accountability, is results-oriented and adept at seeing and conveying the big-picture.
Salary is commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits.
This is a full time regular, non-exempt position.

The James A. Michener Art Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Education Level:
Bachelor’s Degree

In order to apply for this position, candidates must provide a link to an online selected portfolio with a maximum of 5 projects that show the candidate’s depth and breadth of design experience, expertise, and knowledge. Please acknowledge (either in portfolio or cover letter) why the projects have been included and why the projects and your experience make you a strong candidate for the position. Acknowledge any key collaborators in your work.

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and portfolio link, along with your salary requirements to jobs@michenerartmuseum.org. Applicant review will continue until the position is filled. Please indicate your last name and “Director of Exhibitions” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We will respond to those candidates whose qualifications are best aligned with the components outlined in this job description.