POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MUSEUM DIRECTOR/CURATOR

The incumbent serves as both the administrative director and curator for the Pence Gallery and reports to the Board of Trustees of the Pence Gallery.

Summary:

Provides overall leadership for the daily operations of the Pence Gallery specializing in administration and curation while including marketing, financial management, fundraising, public/community relations, program development, human resource management, and strategic direction. The responsibilities of the Director and Curator range from leadership in the management of daily operations and providing institutional vision guided by the mission and values of the Pence Gallery to overseeing exhibition development and programmatic definition. Plans, schedules, implements and evaluates a variety of programs services, and exhibits that are consistent with the mission of the Gallery which is to foster a greater awareness of the art, history and culture of California. Works with Board of Trustees in long-range planning.

Directorial Duties and Responsibilities:

Administration

1. Prepares the operations budget for the Pence Gallery in consultation with the Treasurer and submits to the Board of Trustees for approval.
2. Ensures that the Pence Gallery adheres to all state and federal laws relating to 501©(3) organizations and awareness of educational, cultural and economic forces in the community.
3. Hires, in consultation with board liaison, oversees, evaluates and motivates any staff to be employed by the Gallery. Conducts regular staff meetings.
4. Provides staff support to the Board of Trustees. Trains and supervises staff, and volunteers, Friends of the Pence, interns and educational docents.
5. In collaboration with the Board of Trustees, develops and implements a short and long-term plan for programs, facilities and revenue generation.
6. Provides leadership to the organization's fundraising efforts, including personally cultivating and soliciting prospects and writing grants.
7. Develops communications and marketing strategies in collaboration with development appointee for the Pence Gallery including contributing to the quarterly newsletter.
8. Oversees, contributes and writes professional documents including the Annual Report (in consultation with Treasurer), quarterly newsletter, exhibition catalogs and essays and event-specific material as necessary.
9. Provides periodic analysis of attendance, membership and fundraising results.
10. Liaison with appointed board member regarding building operations and maintance.

Curatorial Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develop themes for 10 or more exhibits annually that are consistent with the Gallery's mission. Schedule exhibits, research and select objects and arrange or provide for their safe transportation to and from the Gallery premises.
2. Perform or oversee all registrar's duties including condition reporting, loan number and rights and reproduction monitoring, packing and unpacking of objects. Modify all curatorial forms when necessary.
3. Manage successful loans from lenders including museums, artists and private collectors and strengthen art loan relationships.
4. Oversee the appropriate documentation of objects and apply professional museum standards regarding the safe care and display of objects.
5. Oversee the gallery preparation for installation of exhibits.
6. Write exhibition related material including labels, didactic panels and catalogues.

Educational:

1. Develop educational material when appropriate for select exhibitions in collaboration with the Art Smart program.
2. Expand the Art Smart program and ensure that it maintains the highest level of quality. Trains all educational volunteers.
3. Ensure that Pence Gallery exhibitions, events and programs attain a successful level of educational programming and increase their ability to grow.
4. Oversee internship and fellowship program and liaison with UC Davis University departments to provide successful programs.

Qualifications:

The director/curator is a proven leader and flexible manager who demonstrates a deep commitment to the mission and value of the Pence Gallery. They should have the capacity to coordinate innovative program development and good business practice while observing accepted ethical practices of museums. Strategic visioning and practical implementation along with community-mindedness are elemental to the position.

Additional qualities include:

1. Minimum of three years experience in managing a non-profit organization and experience in developing exhibitions.
2. Ability to collaborate with a Board of Trustees to achieve the mission and goals of the organization.
3. Knowledge of curatorial and conservation principles and ability to adhere to their ethical implementation.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
5. Ability to initiate, organize and accomplish work.
6. Strong interpersonal skills that enable the incumbent to work effectively with a wide variety of individuals, including staff, volunteers, artists, community leaders and government officials.
7. Experience in curating and installing exhibits according to standard museum practice.
8. Computer skills necessary to fulfill job responsibilities.
9. Experience in managing the physical facilities of a museum.
10. Ability to develop a budget and monitor expenses.
11. Hold an advanced degree in art history, museum or non-profit management with three to five years previous experience.

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