Minneapolis Institute of Art

Collections Manager

Full-time, exempt

Starting Salary Range: $65,000 - $68,000

The Job

Responsible for the preventative care of collections and acts as the specialist in collections management for Mia’s collections of nearly 100,000 works of art.

In this role, you will….

1. Determine storage locations for permanent collection works of art in the museum’s storage areas according to medium, geographic, historic attributes, and dimensions.

• ·         Maintain their safe keeping including proper labeling, wrapping, and physical placement while in storage.
• ·         Coordinate retrieval and re-housing works of art in storage before and after gallery installations as required.
• ·         Determine and order proper storage equipment and related materials.
• ·         Take the lead in space planning for collections storage areas, including storage furniture placement and organization.
• ·         Under the direction of the Registrar for Collections, prioritize collections management tasks and initiatives.

2. Oversee access to and information about Mia art collections.

• ·         Facilitate space and equipment for curatorial projects in storage areas.
• ·         Research loan, exhibition, accession, and collections history as requested by internal and external constituents.

3. Be responsible for the maintenance and organization of storage areas including monitoring the cleanliness of all spaces and environmental conditions. Perform regular cleaning of storage spaces.

4. Supervise and provide work direction for Art Storage Technician. Provide overall project management and consultation for two Collections Care Specialists for major collections management initiatives.

5. Ensure collections management database is updated in a timely manner and ensure location accuracy for works in the permanent collection and on loan to the museum.

6. Assisted by the Art Storage Technician, physically apply accession numbers to new acquisitions to the permanent collection.

• ·         Consult with photographers to move new acquisitions to photo studio for photography as required.
• ·         Ensure safe storage of new acquisitions.

7. Conduct regular physical inventories of the collections and loans in storage and in the galleries.

• ·         Oversee regular and temporary staff assigned to these inventories.
• ·         Conduct inventory audits of the collections with the Finance department and third-party auditors as required by the Trustees.

8. Investigate damage reports received from the Security department and other staff.

• ·         Report physical damages to the appropriate curator,
• ·         Document any completed conservation treatment for permanent collection electronic and paper records.
• ·         Direct gallery maintenance, lighting, and labeling issues reported to the appropriate staff.

9. Facilitate the treatment of works of art for pest management using freezing and anoxia in collaboration with the Collections Maintenance Technicians.

10. Write and recommend policy and procedures.

To be successful in this role…

You are self-starter who can effectively motivate and manage a team, but can also follow institutional directives. You are highly organized, detail-oriented, and can bring projects to completion on time and on budget. You are a problem-solver who enjoys working on complex projects, and have the agility to switch gears as priorities change.

Specific Requirements

Education: B.A. in Art History, Museum Studies, or Studio Arts (M.A. preferred), or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills/Experience:                      

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a museum registration department, or comparable professional experience.
• Familiar with a wide variety of fine art media and the associated terminology.
• Experience examining works of art for condition reports according to current industry best practices.
• Knowledge of best practices for handling and caring for works of art.
• Must be accurate, neat, and be detail oriented.
• Must be able to work individually and as part of a team and provide leadership and direction for the work of others.
• Must be able to lift to 25 pounds, climb ladders, walk, and stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Experience using museum collection management software is strongly preferred; experience with The Museum System highly desired.
• Stand or walk up to 2 hours at one time for 8 hours per day.
• Sit for fewer than 2 hours at one time.
• Lift or carry up to 25 pounds occasionally in a range of motions from floor to overhead.
• Frequently use hands for simple grasping or pushing or pulling.
• Occasionally squat, kneel, climb, reach overhead, lift overhead, knee stand, push or pull with forces up to 25 pounds.
• Frequently bend.
• Possess ability to work at heights, full range of body motions and physical agility, and ability to maintain balance.

Mia Culture

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) is an audience-centered, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome. Mia is Mission Driven, Generous, Agile, Emotionally Aware, and Positive, and endeavors to create a workplace culture where staff are responsible to one another, to our visitors, and to themselves to do the best work possible.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, please apply online at https://jobs-artsmia.submittable.com/submit.

Posting Deadline

Submissions accepted through April 30^th, 2023.

Mia is committed to championing policies and practices that value diversity, foster equity, and empower an accessible and inclusive environment. Our strength lies in the diversity among the broad range of people who contribute their time and talents to Mia. We consider inclusion and accessibility a driver of institutional excellence and seek out diversity of participation, thought, and action. It is our aim, therefore, that our employees, trustees, interns, and volunteers reflect and embrace these core values.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER