Exhibitions Coordinator (Temporary)

Description: The Barnes Foundation is seeking an Exhibitions Coordinator to work on the preparation, coordination, and presentation of special exhibitions. This is a temporary, full-time position to provide coverage during an anticipated 12 week leave of absence.

Established as an educational institution the Barnes Foundation carries out its mission by promoting appreciation of the arts and horticultural science, through the preservation, presentation, and interpretation of the collections of Albert C. and Laura L. Barnes.

Celebrated for its exceptional breadth, depth, and quality, the Barnes Foundation’s art collection includes works by some of the greatest European and American masters of impressionism, post-impressionist, and early modern art, as well as African sculpture, Pennsylvania German decorative arts, Native American textiles, metalwork, and more. The 12-acre Arboretum contains over 3,000 species of woody plants and trees.

The Foundation engages diverse audiences through its exceptional collections and related high-quality programs that reflect a broad range of periods and cultures and build on the founders’ innovative educational vision of transforming lives through the arts and horticulture.

Responsibilities:

• Assists with the coordination of exhibitions and frequently liaises with the Archives, Communications, Conservation, Education, Library, Publications, Registration, External Affairs, and the Director’s office
• Demonstrates a broad range of interpersonal skills necessary to communicate across all levels of the institution; demonstrates highest standards of professionalism, protocol awareness, and customer service in dealings with VIP guests; regional, national, and international leaders of museums, educational institutions, and governments; local and regional partners; the Barnes staff, volunteers, interns, vendors; and the general public.
• Coordinates and distributes contracts for exhibitions as needed.
• Maintains current checklists; drafts and sends loan requests.
• Tracks loan commitments and paperwork.
• Working with the Registrar, maintains files related to special exhibitions.
• Demonstrates highest standards of discretion and trustworthiness in the handling of sensitive and highly confidential situations, communications, and documents.
• Helps to prepare and administrate exhibition budgets as well as manage the work flow for these projects.
• Coordinates exhibition-related construction with the Facilities department.  Assists with space planning as needed.
• Performs day-to-day administrative activities for the Collections department, including ordering office supplies as needed; scheduling and coordinating team and interdepartmental meetings; proactively prepares and manages briefing materials in advance of scheduled meetings; drafts agendas based on outstanding or new business; records minutes and distributes action items; retrieves materials post-meeting and files or shreds.
• Greets and leads visitors through the Gallery as needed.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in art history); Master’s degree preferred
• 1-2 years of experience assisting with the organization of temporary exhibitions
• Excellent verbal, written communication, and computer skills required, especially word processing and database management as well as the ability to learn new applications and procedures as required
• Must be a well-organized, detail-oriented individual who is able to multitask