Exhibitions Manager Job Description

Working under the supervision of an organization's executive director and partnering with the programming department, an exhibitions manager develops and implements all policies and procedures with regard to an institution's artistic exhibitions. Additionally, the exhibitions manager manages the gallery space, facility permanent and temporary showings.

Job Responsibilities

The exhibition manager is responsible for each aspect of an institution's gallery, including exhibition schedule, the acquisition of art and its preservations. The exhibitions manager oversees the storage and conservation of all pieces within the organization's collection. Partnering with other departments, the exhibitions manager ensures the safety and security of the gallery space and the artwork displayed in the exhibition.

Coordinating the marketing and promotion surrounding an exhibition, the exhibitions manager maintains final authority on the look and design of all marketing materials connected with the exhibition. Additionally, the exhibitions manager ensures that the gallery and exhibition proceed while maintaining compliance with the employer's best practices.

Job Opportunities

Traditional job search methods such as newspaper classifieds and online job boards do apply when seeking work in this field. Professional staffing agencies that focus on the placement of those who work in the arts and for nonprofit institutions may be used by job seekers in this field. A person who is actively seeking a new opportunity should also read trade magazines that focus on the particular area in which he or she would like to work. In doing so, the potential exhibitions manager will learn who's who within the industry, as well as discover available jobs.

Qualitative Requirements

First and foremost, a candidate must exhibit a strong interest in the visual arts as well as art handling. Depending on the nature of the exhibit, the exhibitions manager may be required to lift large amounts of weight, so he or she must be physically fit. The exhibitions manager must be a strong project manager, able to direct and motivate a team to get the job done. He or she must also be extremely organized with the ability to handle many tasks at once. Interpersonally, the exhibitions manager must be able to effectively communicate with and present to others in writing and orally.

Educational Requirements

Typically, employers require that candidates for the role of exhibitions manager possess a four-year degree within fine arts, art history, arts management or a related field of study. Additionally, candidates must be technically savvy, proficient on all standard office software such as Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint), as well possess the knowledge to use artistic and graphic design software. Additionally, applicants may choose to become certified through the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.

Average Compensation

In 2009, $62,000 is the average annual salary of an exhibitions manager working in the United States of America, as reported by SimplyHired.com. Additionally, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that the employment of archivists, curators and museum technicians will increase by a rate of 18 percent through the year 2016.

References

• SimplyHired.com: Average Exhibitions Manager Salaries in New York, NY
• US Department of Labor: Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians Job Outlook
• SimplyHired.com: Exhibit Manager Jobs

Resources

• International Association of Exhibitions and Events