Curatorial assistant Jobs in Jersey City, NJ

Exhibition Manager

Brooklyn, New York, United States

Powerhouse Arts (PHA) is a not-for-profit organization committed to creative expression. Located in a purpose-built facility in Brooklyn, PHA convenes an extended network of art and fabrication professionals and educators who co-create and share artistic practices vital to the well-being of artists and the communities to which they belong. PHA offers fabrication programs in ceramics, print, and public art; alongside membership studios in ceramics and at MGC Community Print Studio, textile workshop, The Alpha Workshops; and spaces for education, events, and public engagement.

To support this exciting chapter, we are seeking an Exhibition Manager to help build and sustain our growing exhibition program. This role will focus on the planning and execution of 2 to 3 annual large-scale visual art loans exhibitions, newly commissioned artworks made for presentation onsite, 2 to 3 annual special projects, and limited related publications. Reporting to the Vice President of Curatorial and Arts Programs and serving as key member of PHA's Program department, the Exhibition Manager will oversee and implement all aspects of exhibition planning. The position will act as the department's primary liaison with the Production team and will work to support curatorial and production efforts. The Exhibitions Manager will also collaborate across additional departments (Fabrication, Marketing and Communications, Visitor Services, Operations, Finance, Legal, etc.) to help realize a vibrant and inclusive exhibition program. This position will maintain project timelines, contribute to the institution's master programming calendar, and help develop systems and workflows that support the continued growth of the organization. The successful candidate will be a team player who demonstrates willingness to develop systems and take on challenging projects in an unconventional, nascent, and fast-paced organization. We seek team members who love artists, creativity, building things, learning, and stewarding environments that nurture creative practice.

Areas of Responsibility Include:

Exhibition Related Planning & Management

• Serves as project manager for exhibitions, commissions, special projects, and related publications within the context of PHA's larger program, overseeing and implementing all aspects of the planning process in close dialogue with the curatorial team and the Production
• Director, Live Programs & Rentals.
• Develops, maintains, and monitors comprehensive, interdepartmental project schedules, timelines, and deadlines that drive the planning process for multiple concurrent exhibitions at various stages of development.
• Coordinates all aspects of artwork procurement and exhibition loans, including administering loan agreements and forms, lender communications, and shipping logistics, while maintaining comprehensive and up-to-date loan records, checklists, and project tracking systems.
• Works with the executive team to generate budgets. Tracks project budgets and expenses, processes invoices, and maintains accurate records of contracts, invoices, and payments.
• Facilitates collaboration between Powerhouse Arts' Fabrication studios, artists, their galleries and representatives, and partner institutions.
• Serves as the primary coordinator for commissions from initial concept to presentation at Powerhouse by facilitating collaboration between the curatorial and Productions teams and
• Fabrication studios internally, and artists, their galleries or representatives, partner institutions, and contractors externally. Convenes meetings, sends out meeting notes, and follows through on next steps.
• Works with the Production team to maintain exhibition project schedules and institutional calendars, ensuring alignment between exhibitions, public and education programs, rentals, and other cross-departmental activities.
• Channels relevant information such as artwork installation requirements and lender specifications to the Production team, which oversees build-out, installation, and all other production activity in PHA's Grand Hall, Small Hall, The Loft, and the Lobby.
• Facilitates cross-departmental communication by providing timely exhibition, artwork, scheduling, and budget updates to multiple departments, including Development, Marketing and Communications, Operations, Visitor Services, and others as needed.
• Serves as the primary liaison between Curatorial and Marketing & Communications, coordinating timelines and the delivery of exhibition content, images, and project information for promotional, press, and exhibition didactics/interpretive materials.
• Supports the development of a nascent publications program and related exhibition catalogues, including image licensing agreements and contributor contracts.
• Arranges travel, accommodations, itineraries, and other hospitality-related logistics for exhibiting artists and project participants.

Loans/Artwork Care & Oversight:

• Based on pre-existing templates and forms, works with the General Counsel to tailor, review, and coordinate the execution of legal agreements related to exhibitions, including artist contracts, loan agreements, image licenses, waivers, and other project-related agreements.
• Maintains comprehensive artwork records and an up-to-date exhibition checklist and files, including installation requirements, lender crediting, high-resolution image assets, and other information pertinent to each artwork.
• Makes recommendations for artwork and visitor safety and accessibility during the exhibition design process.
• Coordinates artwork transportation with lenders, artists, galleries, and contracted fine art shippers, and collaborates with the Production team on artwork receipt and installation scheduling.
• Assists the Production Director during installation and conducts condition assessments and reports as needed.
• Monitors loans and coordinates with the Production team on regular maintenance and technical troubleshooting. Captures climate readings, keeps records relevant to artwork care, and coordinates contracted conservators as needed.
• Works closely with Visitor Services and Operations staff to communicate artwork requirements, facilitate art emergency preparedness, and revise and implement disaster plans.

Flexibility & Institutional Support

• Supports additional curatorial or programmatic tasks as assigned by leadership
• Performs additional duties as relevant to the above
• Oversee seasonal intern
• Embodies and promotes PHA's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and community-centered creative practice

Qualifications

The requirements listed are guidelines, you don't have to have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification listed. If 80% of what you read fits you, or if you have skills that are transferable, please apply.

• Passion for the arts and a commitment to PHA's mission
• Bachelor's degree in arts administration or museum studies preferred
• 37 years of exhibition coordination, project management, and/or registration in an art museum, arts nonprofit or gallery; prior experience managing projects involving contemporary artists and fabricators preferred
• Strong project management skills including the ability to efficiently manage multiple concurrent projects on overlapping timelines with attention to detail and follow-through
• Demonstrated track record of managing large-scale exhibitions, and experience with commissioned projects preferred
• Outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Critical and collaborative thinker with an interest in or knowledge of contemporary art, especially practices that engage with the social and political conditions of the day.
• Team player and ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with a range of internal and external stakeholders (artists, staff, tour venues, contractors, community members).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends
• Commitment to fairness, inclusion, and community-centered artistic practice; capacity to work with diverse artists and audiences.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and creative problem-solving orientation comfortable navigating shifting priorities and evolving institutional needs. This position will support building an exhibition program from the ground up and must thrive in an emergent environment.
• Proficiency with common office and project-management software (e.g. Asana or similar, spreadsheets, document management)

To Apply: Please apply with a thoughtful cover letter and resume. Qualified candidates will be contacted for virtual interviews.

Compensation & Benefits: The salary range is $70,000 to $75,000 and commensurate with experience. We offer excellent benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, an employer-sponsored retirement plan and professional development opportunities. Time off includes vacation, Summer Friday, holidays, and sick days.

Powerhouse Arts is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants receive consideration without regard to race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Powerhouse is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace and recognize the positive value of diversity.