POSITION POSTING NOW CLOSED
Specialist for Design and Install of Fine Art Exhibitions
Krannert Art Museum
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (KAM) invites applications for a full-time, twelve-month, Specialist for Design and Install of Fine Art Exhibitions.
KAM has a rich, varied, and comprehensive collection of approximately 10,000 works of art ranging from the fourth millennium BCE to the present, representing an extensive array of cultures and media and reflecting the museum’s educational mission. KAM presents 15 or more exhibitions a year (most of them organized by KAM) and over 150 educational programs and special events. Since 2004, KAM’s exhibitions have traveled to 28 cities in the United States and beyond. The museum is identified with initiatives that involve wide-ranging artists, ideas, and media, as well as those that explore compelling issues of contemporary culture and society. The topics and artists represented in its exhibitions and accompanying publications provide creative opportunities for the interdisciplinary programming that has become a signature of KAM.
KAM is an engaged partner in the intellectual work of the campus, involving students and faculty in research and development of exhibitions and museum publications, organizing interdisciplinary workshops and other exhibition programming, and inviting renowned artists and scholars to campus. Most of KAM’s exhibitions and projects actively involve faculty, students, and staff as initiators, partners, and subjects. Increasing KAM’s integration into the curriculum and enlisting more of the intellectual assets of the campus into the museum’s exhibition and educational objectives are major priorities.
Primary Position Function/Summary:
The Specialist for Design and Install of Fine Art Exhibitions joins the exhibitions team and reports to the Museum Registrar and Exhibitions Director. The position will plan and implement the preparation, installation/de-installation of works of art in KAM's collection and for exhibitions. In addition, this position will initiate the design, creation, dismantling, and inventory of all installation furnishings and signage for exhibitions and collections.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
In addition to the primary functions identified above, required duties include:
- Create and participate in the design of installations and exhibitions.
- Create installation furnishings such as mats, frames, pedestals, mounts, sign holders, etc., and produce and install labels, signage, and other graphics consistent with design standards.
- Provide expertise to staff, college faculty, students, and out-of-house designers and fabricators on methods and technical aspects of fabrication projects, safe handling and display of works of art, conservation issues, framing, and display standards.
- Develop and monitor schedules and budgets of projects. Identify and balance workload requirements between competing exhibition and collection priorities.
- Install, dismantle, mat, frame, pack, and transport works of art.
- Maintain, repair, and paint display furnishings and display walls.
- Using specialized expertise, obtain product estimates and solicit preliminary vendor agreements. Initiate purchases in consult with the Associate Director.
- Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate graduate student and academic hourly installation assistants who support the incumbent in the accomplishment of the assigned responsibilities.
- Participate in developing and maintaining high quality storage for all works in the collection and on loan.
- Manage all of the physical requirements for the incoming and outgoing shipments of traveling exhibitions and art objects including the design and creation of required shipping crates, and maintain shop records related to the projects.
- Devise transportation solutions as the driver for works of art being transported around campus and to regional locations.
- Assist in the creation, modification, installation, and calibration of multi-platform technology delivered works of art for exhibition and Museum use.
- Manage the museum workshop and loading dock; including care and upkeep of the equipment and recommendations for purchase of shop equipment.
- Contact and work in concert with the required university facilities and services employees for exhibition production and installation.
- Facilitate workshops in the methods and skills of exhibition fabrication and installation as needed.
- Travel required for such duties as exhibition preparation, delivering art, and obtaining materials for the installation of works of art, with proper purchase authority for said materials.
- See that exhibition cases, pedestals, and other fixtures are kept clean and in good condition.
- Manage gallery lighting fixtures and light levels.
- Some evening/weekend hours are required; reliable, predictable attendance is essential to the position.
- Assume additional duties as requested to further the mission of the Krannert Art Museum.
Position Requirements and Qualifications:
Required Education: A Bachelor’s degree in fine arts or related field is required. Degrees in other fields will be accepted if accompanied by sufficient professional experience.
Preferred Education: A Master’s degree in the arts or related field.
Required Experience: The qualified candidate will have a minimum of three years of experience in preparation, installation, and exhibition design in a fine art museum, gallery or related experience. Established skills in fabrication, mount making, art installation, art handling/packing and art transport.
Experience with an array of audio/visual technology used in exhibitions. Excellent organizational, verbal and written skills. Must have the capacity to exercise discretion and independent judgment in the performance of duties with only general supervision or direction.
Preferred Experience: Five years or more of design and installation experience is preferred as is supervisory experience and collections care or related experience. Experience in developing a structured training program for students (undergrad and graduate) and advanced organization and management skills would be considered an asset.
Training, Licenses or Certifications
Required: Valid Driver’s license
Preferred: Class C driver’s license
Preferred Knowledge: Knowledge of museum standards, archival materials, and conservation/preservation practices, and an interest and knowledge in new media and technology.
Appointment Status: This is a full-time, 12-month academic professional position.
Salary: Commensurate with experience and includes an excellent benefits package.
For additional information regarding the application procedures, please contact:
Heidi Hardenbrook
Krannert Art Museum Human Resources
217-333-8305 (phone)
Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or criminal conviction history. Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu).
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