Assistant Manager of Exhibitions and Art Collections

Job Description

Position Summary

This position oversees object registration and art collections activities for temporary exhibitions, traveling exhibitions, and the Gardens’ permanent art collections by performing a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment. Primary duties include, but are not limited, to inventorying and cataloging art collections, processing new acquisitions, condition reporting artworks, and supporting and implementing policies and procedures for collections management. Other essential duties include participating in the installation of all indoor and outdoor exhibits and supporting project planning for exhibitions. This role works collaboratively with other departments and outside partners to support institutional goals.

Salary

$25.16 – $31.45 per hour

About Us

About Denver Botanic Gardens: Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs.

For more information, visit us online at www.botanicgardens.org.

Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Full Time Assistant Manager of Exhibitions and Art Collections in our Exhibitions Department! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Duties & Responsibilities

General Duties and Responsibilities

Exhibitions:

• Reserves facilities for exhibitions, including outdoor installation and de-installation activity.
• Monitors gallery conditions, including temperature and humidity, integrated pest management, and communication with Operations as needed for maintenance and security.
• Participates in the installation of artworks both indoors and out and in a variety of weather conditions, including site supervision of art handlers and assisting with physical aspects of the installation.
• Creates volunteer schedules for exhibition activities and oversee volunteer recruitment and training.
• Manages exhibition volunteers during installations and de-installations.

Registration – Incoming and Traveling Exhibitions

• Writes condition reports and create photo documentation for exhibitions; prepare and manage reports for lenders and borrowers.
• Maintains documentation of installation and de-installation activities, including process documentation, route maps, and exhibition installation checklists.
• Coordinates loan agreements, insurance, and customs paperwork for exhibitions.
• Coordinates transit and insurance of artworks with lenders and borrowers, shipping companies, and customs brokers.
• Communicates with registrars and couriers from other institutions to coordinate registration needs and installation requirements.
• Oversees unpacking and packing of exhibitions as well as crate logistics.
• Manages daily condition checks, documentation, and maintenance of exhibition artworks on display indoors and out, and related communication with lenders.

Collections

• Manages ongoing art collections activities within AAM best practices, including cataloging, inventory documentation, condition reporting, object photography, outdoor sculpture care, and rehousing.
• Manages integrated pest management activities for the art collection.
• Monitors art collection storage climate and coordinate with Operations and other collections stakeholders as needed to maintain appropriate climate standards.
• Manages collections interns and assistants at both York Street and Chatfield locations.
• Acts as Exhibitions department lead for non-living collections disaster planning, including updating collections plans, maintaining supplies, and coordinating staff training.
• Contribute to the creation and updating of collections policies and plans, including coordinating with other collections staff and departments.
• Coordinates collections insurance needs and documentation.
• Hires, trains, and manages art collection interns.
• Coordinates departmental offsite storage.
• Supports exhibit-related programs and events, including staffing.
• Represents the entire Exhibitions department and the Gardens to key constituents and funders.
• Maintains satisfactory working relationships with managers, co-workers, and others.
• Maintains a positive, helpful, and solution-oriented demeanor when responding to or serving members and visitors.
• Regular attendance at the worksite may be required. As with all positions at Denver Botanic Gardens, the incumbent must be in good performance standing to be eligible for remote work. Remote work is at the discretion of management at all times.
• All Gardens employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Position Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience coordinating transit and insurance for art desired.
• Collections database experience preferred.
• Operational knowledge related to collections and exhibitions security, environmental controls, integrated pest management, and other best practices for collections and exhibitions management desirable.
• Volunteer and intern management are a plus.
• Attention to detail and creative problem-solving skills are a must.
• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans, when necessary, throughout the day.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams.
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times.
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

Education and Experience

Bachelors degree from a four-year college or university with a concentration in art or art history, history, library sciences, museum studies, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum of 2 years of experience in museum setting or like environment where technical duties included registration or object cataloging and care.
Position requires a valid driver’s license.

Additional Information

Denver Botanic Gardens has an incredible benefits package for eligible employees!

Our major benefits include a choice of Medical Plans, a Dental and Vision Plan and Life Insurance Plan. We have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA).

The Gardens offers a generous Retirement Savings Plan with Company contribution of 6% after one year of service for eligible participants.

The Gardens also offers paid holidays, vacation, sick time, and access to personal lines of insurance. Additional benefits include short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and an RTD ECO pass.

For eligible employees, The Gardens employment also includes a complimentary Denver Botanic Gardens Membership, access to Gardens education classes and summer concert tickets.

Come work for a place that offers you SO much more than just a paycheck!

Application Instructions

https://www.botanicgardens.org/join-give/career-opportunities