Exhibits and Art Coordinator

Phipps Conservatory•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

The Exhibits and Art Coordinator assists the Associate Director of Exhibits with managing the organization’s art and props collections and loans of objects to and from other institutions. The coordinator leads the creation and maintenance of art and props inventories and acts as registrar for art collections and loans. As a member of the exhibits team, this position helps create and implement seasonal flower shows. Work includes creating exhibit elements that complement plant collections, designing interactive display components, organizing exhibit materials, and coordinating art gallery exhibitions. The role also supports horticultural displays in seasonal flower shows, Tropical Forest exhibits, and the Winter Light Garden, and collaborates with Facilities and other departments on exhibit design, fabrication, installation, and storage. The position requires education, training, or experience in art, design, museum collections, exhibition development, horticulture, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education, practical experience, and transferable skills will be considered. Work may take place indoors and outdoors, including in conservatory or growing-house areas that can be hot and humid. Evening, weekend, holiday, or additional hours may be required based on business needs. The employee must provide their own transportation to perform principal responsibilities.

Requirements

Education, training, or experience in art, design, museum collections, exhibition development, horticulture, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, practical experience, and transferable skills will be considered.
Ability to provide own transportation to perform principal responsibilities.
Proficiency with internet and email software.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under deadlines and stress.
Ability to communicate and respond in a friendly manner in person and over the phone to the general public, staff, volunteers, and board members.
Ability to prioritize and work independently.
Commitment to a team-oriented, visitor-sensitive approach to exhibit development.
Ability to read, write, analyze, and visualize.
Ability to communicate and respond to staff in a friendly and fair manner.
Physical ability to sit, stand, kneel, walk, lift or carry objects up to 40 pounds, climb up to 15 feet, and operate a keyboard.

Nice To Haves

Experience in database management or institutional collections management.
Experience with collections databases, inventory management, exhibit coordination, or hands-on fabrication.

Responsibilities

Create and maintain art and props inventories in collections management systems.
Accession art objects by assigning accession numbers in the database and on physical objects in accordance with museum best practices and standards.
Act as registrar for art on loan for garden or gallery exhibits, and track and manage loans to other institutions.
Develop relationships with artists and institutions and serve as a liaison for gallery exhibitions and seasonal shows.
Assist the Associate Director of Exhibits with collection maintenance, care, storage, and repairs, and uphold the Art Collection Management Plan.
Coordinate art gallery exhibitions, including layouts and needs, loan agreements, marketing promotion requests, and coordination with artists and organizations.
Create and maintain horticultural display elements, such as topiaries, dried floral arrangements, and preserved plant installations, using a variety of materials.
Coordinate volunteers assisting with exhibit fabrication as needed, and provide guidance to volunteers on exhibit needs.
Arrange proper storage of exhibit elements, including topiaries, and communicate with Facilities about items stored off site.
Assist in designing and implementing horticultural displays and interactive elements for seasonal flower shows, Tropical Forest exhibits, and the Winter Light Garden.
Create show installation schedules and coordinate with other departments.
Ensure exhibit components, interactive elements, and fabricated materials showcase and enhance horticultural collections while keeping plants and floral displays the primary focus of the visitor experience.
Collaborate with Facilities to design, fabricate, and assemble interactive props and exhibits, and coordinate specialized components to ensure installations function as intended.
Install seasonal flower shows and exhibits within Horticulture and across departments according to installation needs.
Field interviews and marketing requests.
Provide administrative support in communications with vendors, contractors, and outside artists.
Perform other duties as assigned.