Collection and Project Manager, Media Art

The Kramlich Collection is a private collection of film, video and media art and recognized as one of the foremost and pioneering international collections in the field. Comprising artworks from the 1960s to the present from over twenty countries, the Collection is recognized for its curatorial scope, excellence, and close relationships with museums.

The Position

To be based at the Kramlich Residence in Oakville, Napa Valley, the Collection and Project Manager will play a leadership role in the development and ongoing daily oversight of the Collection’s activities in the areas of collection management, loans, and special projects.

Over the next years, the Collection wishes to increase the number of international loans, exhibition partnerships, and special projects, and this new role is central to making this possible. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with the management of complex projects, be extremely organized and detail oriented, and highly motivated to improve standards, create schedules, and meet deadlines.

Working directly with international artists, museums, and galleries to manage all information related to the artworks in the Kramlich Collection, the candidate must have senior project management experience with media artwork installations and exhibition planning, together with database and information management, and technical documentation.

As custodians of major artworks by artists including Matthew Barney, Janet Cardiff, Tacita Dean, Joan Jonas, Isaac Julien, Steve McQueen, Christian Marclay, Bruce Nauman and Bill Viola, the Collection and Project Manager will suit a person passionate to ensure the ongoing presentation, precise management, and careful stewardship of media art into the future.

Responsibilities

• Collection Management – Manage all ongoing collection management duties for all media and non-media artworks:

  • Detailed documentation of all installation, architectural, and technical specifications for artworks, including photography of components and installations, preparation of dimensioned drawings, etc.

  • Inspection and documentation of artworks to produce condition and iteration reports, including itemized information for collection database.

  • Metadata and content management of collection database, including object and component records, accession numbering, photography, barcodes, unique IDs, generation of reports and spreadsheets.

  • Location inventory updates for storage facilities, loan activity, conservation projects, exhibitions, etc.

  • Development and recommendation of new collection management protocols and best practices.

  • Development and management of digital and paper archives, including filing and scanning.

  • Development and management of detailed collection budgets, working closely with Director. To include all projected annual costs for installation, conservation, framing, shipping, fees, events, etc.

  • Weekly, monthly and quarterly collection updates and reports.

  • Management of all incoming exhibition invitations, magazines, correspondence, etc. to ensure all items are reviewed with team and collectors, including drafting of responses to be sent by Director or collectors.

  • Record-keeping of visitors to residences, ensuring follow-ups are sent as required.

• Project Management – Senior management and coordination of all activities related to Collection projects:

  • Lead project management, task organization, and coordination of all Collection activities amongst team, including establishing and ensuring completion of workflows, priorities, project schedules, milestones, etc.

  • Develop and manage workflow pipelines and schedules amongst team using Asana

  • Develop and manage conservation workflows, working closely with media conservator, to ensure work schedules are connected with exhibition and loan schedules.

• Exhibition and Loan Management

  • Working closely with Director and Exhibitions and Technology Manager, lead ongoing project management of all exhibition planning, including correspondence with architects, acousticians, artist studios, specialist vendors, audiovisual engineers, installation teams, etc.
  • Prepare and manage detailed exhibition timelines for onsite installations, loans, and partnership projects.

  • Administer and project manage loans of single or multiple artworks, including co-organized exhibitions.

  • Research and communicate with local and international vendors and specialist teams as required.

  • Develop and manage detailed exhibition budgets, working closely with entire team, and manage communication with vendors for quotes, budgets, invoices, and coordination with CFO on payments.

  • Manage all administration and paperwork related to loan forms, framing, shipping, storage, and insurance.

• Acquisitions and Loans

  • Manage precise procedures for acquisitions and proposed artworks, including communications with galleries and administration related to legal agreements, deliverables, installation documentation, insurance, shipping, and storage logistics.

  • Track all incoming correspondence, documentation, and videos in collection digital archive and assign tasks and schedules within Asana for review and follow-up.

  • Draft, develop and implement improved collection management protocols for all acquisitions and loans.

• Database and Library Management

  • Senior responsibility for all content and information within collection management database (Qi).

  • Ongoing input of data, development of metadata fields and relationships, ingest of data from object files and electronic sources, and integration of bibliographic, photographic and media resources.

• Special Projects

  • Project management on future installations, art commissions, or partnership projects which require coordination of logistics on audiovisual production, engineering, construction, or landscape work.

The Collection and Project Manager will report directly to and work closely with the Director of the Kramlich Collection. Daily and flexible collaboration required with the full team: Exhibition and Technology Manager, Media Conservator, Assistant Curator, and Kramlichs.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years senior experience working within contemporary art environment, preferably art museum, gallery, or artist’s studio specifically related to above responsibilities. Candidates with background in movie, theatre, or production fields will be considered provided a demonstrated experience working with contemporary art and artists. Ability to coordinate and facilitate teams working collaboratively on complex projects is essential. Ability to work effectively under pressure and in self-motivated and dynamic way to meet deadlines, enjoying freedom to work on one’s own at the same time as follow direction. Strong computer and software skills essential, in particular email organization workflows, task management software, and Mac environment (Office 365, Apple Pages, Numbers). Experience using architectural drawing applications (CAD, Illustrator, etc) would be beneficial. Strong knowledge of audiovisual technology highly beneficial.

Application / Salary

Send cover letter, CV, and examples of past activities to: hr@kramlichcollection.org Please include professional references. Application deadline: March 1st 2019

Full-time position based in Oakville, Napa Valley, California. Salary is commensurate with experience. Position includes benefits (healthcare, paid time-off, contribution to dental/optical).