Exhibitions and Public Programs Manager

McEvoy Foundation for the Arts (MFA) presents exhibitions, conversations, screenings, and public programs that engage, expand and challenge themes within the McEvoy Family Collection.

Position

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Exhibitions and Public Programs Manager is responsible for organizing and implementing MFA’s full artistic program. This program invites talented independent artists, curators, writers, filmmakers, and other creative professionals to develop highly inventive and engaging exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, performances, and readings, and conversations that engage the McEvoy Family Collection (MFC).

The position manages all aspects of this program including identifying and procuring promising project proposals for review and selection by MFA’s leadership, cultivating programmatic and audience-driven partnerships and envisioning new programmatic models, and working with curators and artists to organize impactful exhibitions and public programs that will engage and delight an expanding audience base.

The Program Manager is a key member of a small, but highly collaborative and productive management team. She/he guides and co-leads part-time gallery staff, technical support, external vendors, and other production team members.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and implements MFA’s robust schedule of exhibitions and public programs for broad and diverse audiences with an understanding of and commitment to MFA’s vision.
• With guest curators and artists, staff, vendors, partners, and MFC’s Collections Manager, provides or obtains all administrative and production needs including invitations and bookings, loans and loan agreements, contracts and permissions, exhibition inventories and checklists, insurance and security, condition reports, installation and de-installation, equipment rentals, service and supply purchases, documentation and archive management, and shipping logistics.
• In consultation with staff and guest curators, organizes and authors well researched, coherent, and compelling writing for interpretative materials for public release such as event, artwork, and exhibition descriptions, labels, gallery guides, and check lists.
• Develops and oversees advance schedule, budgets, short and long-term plans, and evaluations of the artistic program.
• Organizes and presents materials for artistic program review meetings to select exhibitions and public programs.
• Trains gallery staff on exhibition maintenance, safety, and art work care.
• Assumes responsibility for the safety, storage, and transit of objects on display while on loan.
• Cultivates partnerships with institutions and individuals that increase access to and participation in the artistic program.
• Represents MFA through the media and public interviews and in conversations with numerous creative communities, partner organizations, peers, and funders.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in art history, museum, theater or performance studies required. Masters degree preferred.
• 3 to 5 years of professional experience in a non-profit modern and/or contemporary art museum or gallery.
• Experience producing and managing high-impact artistic programs within budget and on schedule.
• A commitment to public service and the engagement of a variety of social, economic, and cultural perspectives.
• Proven writing, presentation, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Active participation in local, national, and international arts activities and programs.
• Experience guiding, training, and supervising part-time support staff, volunteers, and procuring outside vendors.
• Ability to lead by example including lifting light-weight equipment or setting up and breaking down events.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point), database, and design software.
• Familiarity with AV recording and presenting equipment and software.
• Additional skills and experience to lead people and muster the necessary resources to execute highly professional productions in a variety of creative media.