Director, Exhibitions and Planning
6 days ago
Los Angeles
Job DescriptionABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ARTThe Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes in the power of illustrated stories to connect us. With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world. Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events. POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Deputy Director, Curatorial and Collections, the Director of Exhibitions and Planning is a key member of the leadership team at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, serving a critical role in leading teams responsible for exhibition management and planning. This position oversees the Exhibitions and Planning division of the museum, including exhibition coordination, exhibition design, production, and in-gallery media, which includes supervision of schedules, budgeting, and coordination of all exhibitions and rotating permanent collection installations, as well as any special and touring exhibitions. The Director of Exhibitions and Planning will be strategic and results-driven with strong leadership skills and a proven track record of success in roles of progressively greater responsibility. The person in this role will have a strong background in coordinating exhibitions and overseeing gallery design. In collaboration with the Deputy Director and other Museum departments, the Director of Exhibitions and Planning will provide clear, actionable thought leadership around the Museum’s exhibitions and oversee the successful implementation of its disparate components. As a key strategic partner to the leadership team, the Director of Exhibitions and Planning will exercise excellent judgment, an analytical mindset, great capacity for adaptability in an environment of change, and sound decision-making capabilities. The position will oversee practical management of the museum’s exhibitions and artwork rotations and will work collaboratively with internal parties on the institution’s programmatic strategy.RESPONSIBILITIES • Provides vision, strategy, and thoughtful leadership for all aspects of exhibition planning as it relates to the Museum’s mission, • Supports and works collaboratively with internal departments to ensure that the work of Exhibition Planning is in service to and aligns with Founder directives in partnership with Curatorial, Museum Services, Collections Management, Registration, Art Prep and Installation, Design, Publications, External Affairs, Security, and Operations, • Implements a transparent and disciplined approach to budgeting for exhibition planning by developing detailed operational budgets, ensuring and communicating the business case and cost-benefit analysis for all projects, • Responsible for planning and implementation of all exhibition coordination, both on-site and touring, which includes overseeing a multi-year exhibition schedule, • Oversees exhibition managers for the implementation of Museum exhibitions and potential traveling programs, • Oversees exhibition master schedule and ensures responsible partners adhere to deadlines, • Ensures project management accountabilities for all aspects of exhibition coordination including development of timeframe and budgets for in-gallery presentations, • Coordinates installations with internal and external parties as applicable, which may include permanent collection reinstallation or scheduling of gallery upkeep, • Coordinates with Museum Services regarding loan forms, feasibility and insurance accountability, and photography of collections and loaned works, • Manages external exhibition design and fabrication vendors, representing institutional priorities and timelines, • Oversees Exhibition Design and production, working with internal staff and external parties (such as contracted designers) to support Curatorial in translating concepts to in-gallery exhibitions, • Ensures that all aspects of Exhibition Design and production support the overall curatorial intent of the exhibitions, working collaboratively across the Museum to achieve ambitious intentions for Museum exhibitions, • Works closely with internal teams and external gallery construction teams to coordinate the building of gallery walls both prior to the Museum’s opening, as well as for any turnovers for future exhibitions adhering to necessary deadlines, as required, • Collaborates with the Museum Services team to coordinate the movement and mounting of permanent and temporary exhibitions, • Works with vendors on gallery furniture, platforms, casework, lighting, in-gallery graphics, and reproductions for production and installation, • In partnership with other digital experience and interpretive media staff, oversees in-gallery media as it relates to exhibition installation and management, with consideration of ADA compliance and visitor experience, • Special projects as designated by Deputy Director and Director/CEOCORE COMPETENCIES, • Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision., • Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible., • Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders., • Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity., • Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely., • Building Trust & Relationship Management, • Accountable ownership and clearly shares information and the "why" behind decisions., • Asks for and values the opinions of others. Displays empathy when listening., • Acknowledges when trust has been broken and focuses on rebuilding., • Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, cultures, and geographies. Identifies interpersonal and group dynamics and reacts effectively., • Accountable Ownership, • Takes ownership of outcomes, positive or negative, without blaming others within the team or cross-functionally., • Recognizes when they are not approaching a situation with accountability but instead with a blame mindset., • Takes accountability for assigned tasks and executes on deliverables in a timely manner., • Strategic Alignment & Execution, • Contributes to the organization by understanding and aligning actions with the organization's goals, core functions, needs, and values., • Seeks out and incorporates multiple perspectives, experiences, and industry trends to develop a holistic perspective. Operationalizes ideas within the business model., • Displays critical thinking when faced with a challenge by asking probing questions and looking for connections.QUALIFICATIONS, • Education & Experience, • Masters degree from an accredited college or university in art/art history, museum studies, or in a closely related field such as education, business administration, or studio art is preferred, • Ten (10) years of verifiable exhibitions management, exhibition design, or arts management with progressively responsible duties and experience within art museums or other arts organizations is required, • Experience working in a start-up or entrepreneurial environment in a supervisory position preferred, • Skills, • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and superior presentation skills, • Exceptional strategic planning, organizational, research, and project management skills, • Expert in project management methodologies, best practices, and project scheduling concepts such as predecessors, slack and critical path, • Experience managing a complex array of vendors and projects through completion, • Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office, database management, and project management software Airtable and MS Project preferred, • Proven ability to lead teams, • Knowledge, • Innovative thinker with a proven track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output, • Strong knowledge and a sophisticated understanding of museums, professional museum standards, collection care principles, and museum policies, • Abilities, • Proven ability to build relationships, engage with and work effectively and positively with Museum leadership and colleagues, • Collaborative team player and ability to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders, industry experts, a diverse set of external partners, and the general public, • Excellent creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution, • Ability to envision the new and different, and a commitment to developing and working with diverse audiences, • Ability to exercise sound judgment and thrive in an entrepreneurial, creative, collaborative, and nimble environment #Museum #ArtsManagement # #ExhibitionCoordination #ExhibitionDesign #ExhibitionProduction #Budgeting #Fabrication EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIBThe Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged. The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job. *** The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society. VALUES Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors. People First: We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art. Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act. Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Narrative Art: Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration. Community: Connect to a broad and diverse public. Operational Excellence: Create a healthy and durable institution. All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve. Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s). Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all new hires to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical and/or religious exemption. Upon hire, all new hires will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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