Position at Blanton Museum of Art

Director of Collections and Exhibitions
Blanton Museum of Art

Posting Number 130429010419

Interested applicants must submit an on-line application and
applicable materials through the University of Texas at Austin job
website.

    <URL:https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/130429010419>

Purpose:

    The Director of Collections and Exhibitions (DCE) is responsible
    for the management and overall care of the Blanton Museum of Art
    's collection of more than 17,000 objects, and for the
    supervision of all operations and activities related to
    registration, installation, and non-curatorial aspects of the
    museum 's exhibition program.  Reporting to the Director of the
    museum, the DCE provides leadership within the museum as a
    member of the Blanton 's senior management team.  S/he is
    responsible for the development and implementation of strategic
    goals, policies, and objectives related to collection and
    exhibition management. The DCE supervises the registrar, manager
    of exhibitions, the installation team, and other staff members.
    S/he works with collectors, donors, scholars, and colleagues
    both internally and externally and facilitates partnerships with
    other institutions to promote research, understanding, use, and
    enjoyment of the collection.  Essential to the position is an
    adherence to the highest museum standards and best practices,
    and the ability to work collaboratively and to contribute
    meaningfully to the museum 's strategic plans and overall
    mission.

Essential functions:

    Collection care. Oversee all matters related to safeguarding the
    museum 's collection and loans. Evaluate the museum 's current
    standards of collection care, identify priorities, and implement
    strategies for improvement. Develop, update, and oversee the
    implementation of collections management policies and
    procedures. Participate in the creation of a museum-wide
    collection development strategy. Ensure collection care needs
    are coordinated with curatorial needs, and that staff follow
    policies. Assess preventive conservation goals for the museum
    and oversee implementation. Oversee all aspects of collection
    storage. Consult with Director of Facilities Operations and
    Security to maintain proper environmental conditions, and
    identify and implement security plans for art in the museum.
    Work with curators and staff to develop a strategy and
    recommended procedures for conservation.  Prioritize related
    short- and long-term conservation needs across the collection
    and manage their execution. Manage external conservation
    services. Act as museum liaison to UT Risk Manager to guarantee
    that the collection and loans are appropriately insured. Ensure
    that the museum is in compliance with best practice policies and
    procedures for minimizing risk and preparing for disaster.
    Ensure proper training of curators and other staff members as
    couriers and act as a courier when necessary.

    Registration. Responsible for supervision of registrar and
    photographer and for oversight of all registration activities,
    including maintenance of collection records, the collection
    management database EmbARK (and its online corollary), rights
    and reproductions, loans, exhibitions registration, shipping
    logistics, accessioning, insurance, and photo documentation.
    Registration department often works with international
    (especially Latin American) arts organizations.

    Exhibitions and collection rotations. Supervise the Manager of
    Exhibitions and provide oversight and guidance for all
    non-curatorial aspects of exhibition management.  Responsible
    for the schedule of temporary exhibitions and collection
    rotations, working closely with the Manager of Exhibitions and
    other staff. Oversee the process for securing compelling
    exhibitions available for loan and for procuring venues for
    touring Blanton-organized exhibitions, including the development
    and review of exhibition-related contracts. Work with a
    leadership team of curators and education staff to strengthen
    the permanent collection rotation program and better align it
    for the teaching needs of the museum and university.  Help
    ensure that the museum's exhibitions and exhibitions-related
    activities are consistent with the museum's mission, identity,
    and commitment to scholarship, university and public engagement,
    and overall excellence. Oversee documentation of all
    exhibition-related materials for project archives. Respond to
    public inquiries regarding collections.

    Installation. Supervise the Technical Staff Coordinator and
    installation team of preparators. Provide oversight in the
    development of exhibition designs and installation schedules.

    Development.  Assist the Director of the museum and the Director
    of Development to secure needed resources. Produce proposal
    concepts and language, and participate in solicitations and
    cultivation as needed.

    Budgets, administration, and other responsibilities. Supervise
    internal and external reporting, and oversee the management of
    budgets for programs and projects. Work collaboratively with
    staff on website, social media sites, and other public outreach
    methods. Represent the museum at professional organizations.
    Assist with the re-accreditation process. Supervise volunteers,
    interns, and work-study students. Manage and assist in selected
    special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

Required qualifications and preferred attributes:

    Bachelor 's degree required; preference for candidates with
    Spanish language proficiency and a Master 's in art history,
    museum studies, conservation, library and information science,
    or a related field.

    At least five years museum experience (seven years preferred) in
    managing fine art collections and museum exhibitions (ideally in
    an academic museum environment) with a thorough understanding of
    related practices, principles, ethical standards, and legal
    matters.

    Excellent knowledge of preservation and conservation practices,
    risk assessment, and art-handling procedures.

    General familiarity with the physical and chemical nature of
    diverse types of materials, as represented in the museum 's
    collection.

    Experience with collections management software and excellent
    computer skills.

    Excellent working relationships with colleagues in the field and
    other museum and cultural institutions.

    Proven ability to manage budgets.

    Strong organizational, writing, communication, and interpersonal
    skills.

    Collaborative, collegial, creative, and resourceful in work.

    Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may
    be substituted as appropriate.

The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal
Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants
will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship
status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran 's status, or sexual
orientation.  Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the
Americans with Disabilities Act, disability accommodations will be
provided as needed.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:49
                   Distributed: Tuesday, May 14, 2013
                       Message Id: cdl-26-49-024
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