Exhibition and Engagement Director
To apply please send your resume to [email protected]
Summary/Objectives:
The Exhibition and Engagement Director is responsible for the development and execution of diverse exhibitions across our three distinct gallery spaces, while overseeing the Study Collection and Gift Shop. This position assumes a central leadership role that includes both on-site and off-site community programs while contributing to the organization’s continued growth and impact. This role acts as an ambassador for Mark Arts in the arts and cultural community.
Exhibitions:
- Develop and maintain an artistically valuable and commercially viable exhibition schedule for the next 2-3 years. Align exhibition calendar with the master calendar, and present juror recommendations for national exhibits.
- Lead Exhibitions Assistants in installing/deinstalling exhibitions, creating title wall with sponsor recognition, preparing wall labels, patching and painting walls, pedestal installation and maintenance, and maintenance of other display equipment. Oversee the maintenance of gallery facilities, including wall preparation, and display equipment.
- Lead the patron purchase program which includes cultivating relationships with design professionals, collectors, businesses, and other potential sales leads to achieve monthly art sales goals.
- Facilitate communication with artists, jurors, community partners and stakeholders for contracts, exhibitions, and special opportunities. Oversee maintenance of artist information in Altru database.
- Manage and implement the annual Eastern Kansas Scholastic Art Awards, including local outreach, coordination with schools, and scholarship engagement.
- Collaborate with the Education Department to organize workshops and programs that relate to current and upcoming exhibitions.
- Collaborate with staff to organize exhibition openings, artist talks and other events.
- Manage Café Entry for prospectus, exhibition entries, fees, and communication.
- Research and evaluate art and gallery trends and develop programming accordingly.
- Manage artist payments associated documentation for the post-sale process
Study Collection:
- Supervise the Database & Development Associate in management of Study Collection records, inventory, conservation, loans, and placement of the Study Collection.
- Develop and execute exhibitions featuring works from the Study Collection.
Outreach:
- Identify, research, and cultivate relationships with potential community partners aligned with the mission of the organization and the goals of the monthly Art Together program.
- Supervise the Community Partnership Coordinator to develop a comprehensive community engagement strategy that outlines partner involvement, engagement activities, and success metrics.
- Partner with community organizations and businesses to offer arts education and appreciation opportunities.
- Plan the annual Art Market in coordination with the Community Open House event.
Administrative:
- Provide strong leadership and effective management across all areas of exhibition, community outreach, and study collection management.
- Provide statistical information for grant proposals and reports.
- Review insurance policy, photography policy, artwork installation and deinstallation guidelines annually.
- Develop and manage the Exhibition and Community Outreach Department budgets.
- Participates as the staff lead for the Study Collection, Exhibition, and Community Outreach Task Forces. Contribute to other committees’ initiatives as assigned.
- Coordinate with the Marketing Department to develop and implement an advertising plan for exhibitions, community outreach events, and relevant programming. Provide detailed schedules and descriptions of exhibitions and Study Collection content.
- Coordinate with Development & Marketing Director on Mark Arts special events and Event Rental Manager for rentals held in Galleries.
- Recruit and manage artists for Mark Arts events such as Versus: A Live Art Battle and others as assigned.
- Secure exhibitions and Community Outreach program sponsors with Development & Marketing Director.
- Attend board meetings and prepare reports.
Competencies:
- Technical Capacity
- Business Acumen
- Leadership
- Organizational Skills
- Teamwork Orientation
- Performance Management
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position oversees part-time Community Partner Coordinator, Exhibition Assistants and Summer Interns and is responsible for the performance management and hiring of those employees within the department. Additionally, they will manage independent contractors that install Mila-Walls.
Work Environment:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position, and the general hours of work and days are Tuesday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; however, this position regularly requires evening hours and weekend work.
Travel:
Most travel is within Wichita and surrounding areas but occasional travel outside of Wichita may be required.
Skills and Abilities Required:
- Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to interact with individuals at all levels and form and maintain successful working relationships.
- Persuasive communications skills to secure financial support from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
- Professional demeanor and appearance.
- Strong attention to detail and multi-tasking.
- a Profit and Loss Statement for an organization.
Computer/ Electronics Skills Required:
- Highly proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite.
Education/Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Art History, or closely related field required.
- Minimum of three (3+) years of experience working in an art or cultural institution.
- At least three (3+) years supervising employees.
Education/ Experience Preferred:
- Knowledge of 20th and 21st century art
- Familiarity with inventory systems (TMS)
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
