Museum Exhibition Designer – Art, Design, & Architecture Museum, University of California, Santa Barbara

Summary of Job Details:

The Art, Design & Architecture Museum at UCSB is seeking a full time Lead Exhibition Designer. The person in this role will plan, organize, direct, and review the design and implementation of all AD&A Museum exhibitions, collection displays, and other spatial/graphic design projects. The Lead Exhibition Designer collaborates with the Director, Curators, and Advisory Committees on matters relating to the planning of exhibitions and museum acquisitions. They are responsible for other activities associated with the design, construction, and installation of exhibitions, including procedures, personnel administration, and budgetary expectations.

The Lead Exhibition Designer designs all graphics for exhibitions (wall vinyl, labels, etc.) and coordinates exhibition graphics with Museum publications. They are responsible for supervising the museum workshop, storage and art handling areas, and art shipping and handling activities and functions as a consultant on problems involving the handling, storage, and display of works of art and artifacts. The Lead Exhibition Designer reports to the Museum Director (or Assistant Director), and supervises the Assistant Designer, Museum Preparator and student work crews, and casual employees hired to assist with exhibitions.

The successful candidate will be a team leader with a demonstrated knowledge of, and have

practical experience utilizing best practices in art handling, exhibition design, matting and framing artwork, lighting, light construction, and woodshop safety. Excellent communication, staff management, critical thinking, problem solving, and multitasking are essential skills necessary for this position.

Required Qualifications

  • 4-6 years of demonstrated and documented experience in art exhibition and space design in an art museum or gallery. 
  • 1-3 years experience with supervising and working with a team of other creative professionals. 
  • Proficient skill in 3D (3 Dimensional) modeling tools such as Google Sketchup (preferred), AutoCAD, or other or other industry accepted software as well as Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Expert knowledge of museum exhibition design field and current trends.
  • Knowledge of the principles of conservation, security, and environmental controls, ADA requirements for public buildings, and awareness of visitor needs.
  • Knowledge of exhibition production, related construction work, and preparation of artworks, which includes mounting, matting, framing, packing, transporting, archival storage, and safe use of chemicals.
  • Leadership abilities.
  • Ability to translate a curator’s artistic and / or educational vision into an exhibit that meets the artists’, public and safety needs.
  • Familiarity with design software; project management skills.
  • Bachelor’s degree in visual arts discipline or equivalent experience and/or training. 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree In Fine Arts/Studio or other related discipline.
  • 7 years of demonstrated and documented experience with progressive responsibility in art exhibition and space design, including contemporary art exhibitions. 

Conditions of Employment

  • Satisfactory completion of a conviction history background check
  • Driver’s License (U08): Must maintain valid CA DL, a clean DMV record and enrollment in DMV Pull-Notice Program
  • Some weekend hours are required.
  • UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Pay Rate/Range: $57,800 – $77,342/yr.  Salary commensurate with experience and internal equity

Working Days and Hours: M-F, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, some weekends

Benefits Eligibility: Full-Benefits

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Application review begins 8/19/22; Open Until Filled. 

Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu

 Job #33825

Categories: Job Postings