Assistant Director, MAAM Curatorial Affairs Manager

The MassArt Art Museum (MAAM) is Boston's only free contemporary art museum where visitors can experience groundbreaking art from extraordinary artists at the forefront of contemporary practice. As the teaching museum for Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), MAAM is committed to educating and elevating the next generation of artists, both on campus and in the world.

The Assistant Director, MAAM Curatorial Affairs Manager is a key member of the museum team. This individual is responsible for managing multiple timelines and logistics, in charge of myriad administrative details, is a valued hands-on member of the exhibition team, and writes, edits, proofreads, and produces MAAM content. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Key responsibilities:

• Acts as Project Manager for museum exhibitions and communications including planning timelines and logistical coordination.
• Works across MAAM to create workflow and milestones for the successful execution of exhibitions (from development through installation and return), and messaging across various media channels (public and internal e-newsletters, Instagram, MassArt Connect, print materials, wayfinding, etc.), and related support areas (vendor relations, purchasing, invoicing, etc).
• Manages museum agreements, contracts, and policies related to artwork loans, artist agreements, commissions, and fine art insurance.
• Drafts artist agreements and contracts and works with college's legal and other appropriate offices to prepare necessary documents for signature.
• Manages fine art insurance policies, related documentation, and certificates of insurance.
• Oversees the handling and conditions of display for all artworks in collaboration with Exhibitions Manager.
• Supervises all un/packing and handling of artwork including completion of condition and packing reports for all objects.
• Ensures that museum standards regarding security and environmental conditions are followed; tracks gallery climate and humidity levels; creates and monitors procedures for cleaning and conservation of artwork; guides and trains part-time student and/or contracted staff around best practices in registration, conservation, and art handling.
• In collaboration with the museum team, writes and/or provides direction for exhibition didactic materials and communications about MAAM exhibitions, programs, and events (including but not limited to introductory wall text, wayfinding, labels, advertising graphics, promotional and visitorship materials).
• Proofreads all materials to ensure accurate grammar, messaging, and content.
• Leads the successful production of all MAAM graphic materials (including all exhibition graphics/wall text, promotional materials) with contracted graphic designer and MAAM team members.
• Guarantees the correct usage and execution of the MAAM brand.
• Leads the organization and maintenance of museum files and archives.
• Develops and maintains exhibition image archives and manages all image requests and use guidelines.
• Creates documents and processes related to artwork loans and commissions.
• Maintains museum documents including General Facility Report, Artist Agreements, Loan Agreements, Condition Reports, etc.
• Maintains collector and lender relationships, including but not limited to museum, gallery, private individuals, and artists.
• Works to maintain, or work towards, museum accreditations.
• Develop and enact best practices in museum operation to adhere to American Alliance of Museum standards in preparation for accreditation.
• Responsible for maintaining the museum's W.A.G.E. (Working Artists and the Greater Economy) accreditation.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in art history, museum studies, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years related experience in museum or non-profit organization.
• 1 year supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated project management skills, logistical and detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills, proven ability to set and meet deadlines on a variety of simultaneous projects.
• Exhibition project management experience including managing project team schedules, budgets, installations, and logistics.
• Knowledge of best museum practices and standards including registration, exhibition and display, fine art packing and shipping, insurance, art handling, condition reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication (both written and oral) skills.
• Ability to work with the public face-to-face/in-person, by telephone, and email.
• Sensitivity and experience working within multi-generational and multi-cultural workspaces.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

• Occasional nights and weekends.
• Ability to routinely lift 25 lbs. boxes, pushing and pulling, keyboarding, and gripping.
• Possess mobility to move about throughout the museum spaces and travel offsite to different locations.
• Very frequent sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Registrarial experience.
• Past experience working on museum accreditation.
• Copyediting experience.
• Master's degree in art history, museum studies, arts administration, or related field.
• Graduate certificate coursework in art history, non-profit arts administration, or management.

Please note: MassArt does not support employment-based visa sponsorship or non-student exchange visitor visa sponsorship. Selected candidates must be eligible to work in the US at the time of employment, complete all onboarding tasks including a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background review and provide proof of eligibility to work in the US by completing the Form 19, Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Comprehensive Benefits (does not apply to contractor/student positions): When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.

MassArt provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class.

Application Instructions: Resume and Cover Letter. Candidates who move to the second round may be asked to give a writing sample.