Job Information

• Location:

  Tacoma, Washington, 98402, United States

• Job ID:

  49382821

• Posted:

  July 6, 2019

• Position Title:

  Exhibits Designer

• Company Name:

  Washington State Historical Society

• Job Function:

  Exhibitions

• Entry Level:

  No

• Job Type:

  Full-Time

• Job Duration:

  Indefinite

• Min Education:

  BA/BS/Undergraduate

• Min Experience:

  5-7 Years

• Required Travel:

  0-10%

• Salary:

Description

Exhibits are the principal mode of interpretation within the Agency’s museum. The mission of WSHS places high value on quality audience engagement of which exceptional exhibitry is a key component. The Exhibit Designer and Project Manager designs unique temporary exhibits and manages their installation as well as the maintenance and revision of long-term exhibits.

Requirements

Temporary Exhibits

Exhibit design using selected CAD programs to produce scaled floor plans, elevations, perspective views, and sketches including case layouts as a part of exhibition planning. Presents draft designs at exhibit team meetings. Works with AE Director and Lead Exhibitions Curator to develop conceptual approaches, as well as graphic look and feel of temporary exhibitions, and upgrades to permanent exhibitions, as needed. Works with other members of AED/WSHM staff on graphic design to support AE programs/projects. Works with Lead Exhibitions Curator and WSHS Registrar on selection and presentation of artifacts for exhibitry, programming considerations as they related to design. Use graphic design skills to design and produce/oversee in-house or outsourced production of all supporting graphic materials (exhibit didactics, panels, vinyl text, printed murals).

Installation work Supervise/direct/support exhibitions staff regarding exhibition installation, including exhibition mounts, placement/hanging of exhibition objects/artifacts safely and securely using collection management standards and museum best practices. Work alongside exhibitions staff for exhibitions/artifact installation as needed.

Artifact handling including packing, unpacking, movement and transportation of artifacts using collections management standards and museum best practices. Includes de-installations. Leads installation/deinstallation teams and manage contractor preparators. Coordinates with registrar regarding logistics and scheduling. Manages deliveries and pick-ups when necessary. Trains interns and others in installation techniques.

Project management including communication with staff and contractors regarding assigned tasks and deadlines; scheduling of contractors, tasks, events; supervision of gallery prep, fabrication and installation contractors. Communicates with WSHS staff and staff of other institutions regarding arrival of guest curators and logistics of loading, shipping/receiving, movement, replacement, storing and installation/de-installation of objects and artifacts. Works closely with curators to determine content, graphic look and feel, and visitor experience in exhibition galleries when assigned. Trains staff on exhibitry best practices as necessary to support install and de-install efforts. Monitors progress. Communicates with exhibition loan companies to facilitate installation plans/exhibition installation and compliance with loan contract standards.

Gallery preparation and repair Supervise/direct/support exhibitions staff (Preparator & IT Specialist) placement, securing, patching and painting of walls in temporary gallery spaces; troubleshooting electronics and lighting.

Permanent Exhibits

Exhibit design using CAD programs to produce floor plans, elevations, perspective views, and sketches including case layouts. Presents draft designs at exhibit team meetings. Works with audience engagement staff in producing design. Designs and produces graphic materials.

Installation work Supervise/direct/support exhibitions staff regarding exhibition installation, including exhibition mounts, placement/hanging of exhibition objects/artifacts safely and securely using collection management standards and museum best practices. Work alongside exhibitions staff for exhibitions/artifact installation as needed

Artifact handling including packing, movement, and transportation of artifacts using collections management standards. Coordinates with registrar regarding logistics and scheduling.

Project Management including communication with staff and contractors regarding assigned tasks and deadlines; scheduling of contractors, tasks, events, supervision of gallery prep, fabrication and installation contractors. Communicates with WSHS staff and staff of other institutions regarding shipping/receiving, movement, replacement, storing, and installation/de-installation of objects and artifacts. Works closely with curators to determine content of exhibition when assigned. Trains staff on exhibitry best practices as necessary to support install and de-install efforts. Monitors progress.

Gallery preparation and repair Supervise/direct/support exhibitions staff (Preparator & IT Specialist)for placement, securing, patching and painting of walls in temporary gallery spaces; troubleshooting electronics and lighting.

Renovations/Upgrades Works with AE director, Lead Exhibits Curator, and contractors (design and fabrication) for the review and installation of permanent exhibition galleries’ upgrades/renovations.

Traveling Exhibitions

Manage travel exhibitions including the facilitation/scheduling of transit/shipping, receiving, installation teams, compliance with standards and stipulations in contracts, troubleshooting, and layout for exhibition galleries. Monitor compliance with exhibition loan contract regarding logistics.

Staff management and monitoring effective use of human resources and budgetary resources in regards to program development, delivery, and evaluation.

Supervise, direct, and support exhibitions staff in line with their position and classification (Preparator and IT Specialist). Monitoring how staff time is allocated to exhibit design, development, and maintenance and/or staffing assignment changes as necessary in line with achieving institutional goals. Track expenditures as related to job responsibilities and corresponding budgets. Work with Lead Exhibitions Curator to develop individual exhibition(s) budgets/track expenses. Work with staff to determine and facilitate proper training and or development opportunities, as appropriate.