Exhibitions and Engagement Manager

The Exhibitions and Engagement Manager reports to the Executive Director of the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture, and is responsible for consistently managing high quality exhibitions and programs across the Ruth Davis Design Gallery and the Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery, including displays within Nancy Nicholas Hall, as well as innovative programming and outreach that supports the material culture, textile, and design pillars of the center’s mission. This position manages the physical and logistical aspects of exhibition creation, including design, installation, strike, and staffing schedules for the galleries as well as managing exhibition assets for online exhibitions and digital use. The Exhibitions and Engagement Manager develops and maintains relationships with colleagues and students across campus, community organizations, donors, collectors, and corporations. They maintain a calendar for social media outreach and collaborate on online exhibits, press releases, and creative storytelling to support these goals. They will also supervise the gallery-related staff, including students and the preparator.

This position may require occasional evening and weekend hours to meet gallery installation and event schedules.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of student workers and volunteers. May supervise staff, students, and volunteers
• Produces, publishes, and presents original research
• Designs, develops, and delivers instruction to faculty, staff, students, and museum patrons
• Provides budgetary input and subject matter expertise in support of funding requests
• Serves as a subject matter expert and point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding collection information and access
• Participates in development of collections plans, acquisition of collection items, exhibitions or displays, educational resources, and access to collections
• Develops and maintains relationships with donors, collectors, and colleagues

Department:
School of Human Ecology, Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years of post-baccalaureate work experience with increasing responsibility in museums, galleries, libraries, academic centers, or other nonprofits; project management experience.
• Experience with at least one aspect of the center’s tripartite focus on material culture, textiles, and design.
• Professional museum, library, nonprofit, art, or project management experience.
• Experience with managing multiple projects concurrently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with exhibition design and installation.
• Experience managing website content.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience or demonstrated ability in communicating and organizing with diverse audiences.
• Experience mentoring and collaborating with students and/or colleagues.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive work environment.

Education:
BA/BFA degree in art, design studies, art history, history, anthropology, English or related field required. MA or MFA in design studies, art, museum studies, education, nonprofit management, art history, history, material culture, design studies, or related field preferred.

How to Apply:

THE NANCY M. BRUCE CENTER FOR DESIGN AND MATERIAL CULTURE: The Nancy N. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture is the primary destination for the multi-disciplinary study of material culture and design at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The center focuses on the study of textiles, material culture, and design and is a hub for innovative programs that engage local, national, and international audiences. The Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, the Ruth Davis Design Gallery, and the Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery support the work of the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture. See