SENIOR EXHIBITION DESIGNER

ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Senior Exhibition Designer serves as a pivotal creative leader within AMFA’s Collections Department, reporting directly to the Director of Collections and Exhibitions. This position will collaborate closely with curators, the executive director, preparators, and other museum staff to design and execute groundbreaking exhibitions that push creative boundaries and embody AMFA’s vision. This position will lead not only in traditional gallery design, but also in special projects such as site-specific commissions, for example, large-scale installations like Anne Lindberg’s passage, a volumetric thread sculpture that responds to AMFA’s architecture and grounds. Oversee permanent collection displays, working to integrate highlights of AMFA’s international collection into the Harriet and Warren Stephens Galleries, and ensure that both time-based media and large-scale installations are thoughtfully conceived. The ideal candidate will possess both a visionary approach to exhibition design and advanced technical expertise, from conceptualizing innovative experiences to creating detailed digital renderings and production documentation. Beyond shaping the physical layout, the Senior Exhibition Designer will influence the entire guest experience, ensuring that each exhibition aligns with AMFA’s commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. The designer will craft experiences that resonate with diverse audiences, inspire meaningful dialogue, and encourage long-term connection with the Museum. AMFA’s galleries and public spaces are designed to be flexible and deeply responsive to their architectural context, offering an environment where both permanent collection displays and rotating exhibitions can be presented with clarity and intent. The museum allows for a wide range of artistic expression, from traditional object-based installations to immersive, large-scale contemporary works. Its thoughtfully crafted spaces support AMFA’s commitment to creating welcoming, resonant experiences that connect visitors with art, the building, and the surrounding park in meaningful, memorable ways.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Exhibition Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Art, Art History, or a related discipline.
Minimum 7 years of professional experience in exhibition design, preferably within an art museum or cultural institution.
Proven ability to lead large-scale projects from concept through completion, balancing visionary design with logistical rigor. Must have a design portfolio, demonstrating creative range and skills.
Mastery of digital design tools: strong proficiency in CAD/Vectorworks/AutoCAD, 3D modelling and rendering software (Rhino, SketchUp, 3ds Max or equivalent), Adobe Creative Suite, and ability to produce photorealistic visualizations.
Deep understanding of museum-display standards, art handling, conservation considerations, fabrication, lighting design, and visitor circulation.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills: ability to articulate design vision to curators, arts handlers, and external contractors.
Strong organizational and time management skills for meeting tight deadlines and managing competing priorities.
Demonstrated experience leading interdisciplinary teams and collaborating across departments (e.g., collections, curatorial, marketing, education, development), including openness to feedback, to achieve a good design solution.
Have basic familiarity with a collection management system, such as TMS Collections or similar.
Attention to detail to ensure accuracy and consistency across design and production.
Proficient in MS Office Suite

Responsibilities

Lead the design vision for major temporary exhibitions, permanent collection rotations, and site-specific installations, closely collaborating with the AMFA’s curators to ensure that each exhibition experience is intuitive, holistic, visually and emotionally impactful, and clearly represents curatorial intent and AMFA’s mission.
Transform curatorial ideas into compelling spatial experiences by thoughtfully integrating architecture, lighting, media, materials, and visitor flow.
Collaborate with curators and registrars to develop design solutions that meet the highest standards of collection care, object safety, and conservation protocols, ensuring the integrity of the artworks throughout the exhibition process.
Work in partnership with curatorial, marketing, and community engagement departments to align design with both internal strategies and public-facing objectives, ensuring exhibitions resonate with diverse audiences.
Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail when reviewing exhibition text panels and labels, ensuring all content is grammatically accurate and correctly formatted before going to print.
Create detailed digital renderings, 3D visualizations, and schematic plans of each display, including artwork and fabrications, using industry-standard software and emerging technologies, presenting these to curators and the executive director to guide decision-making.
Working directly with contractors, vendors, and the collections team, place and track orders for design elements and restocking supplies, including processing invoices and tracking expenses.
Manage production deadlines and budgets. Coordinate with vendors to schedule, fabricate, deliver, and install design and display elements, including text panels and large vinyl graphics.
Stay informed on trends in exhibition design, immersive media, and visitor experience, bringing fresh, boundary-pushing ideas that align with AMFA’s innovative vision.
Research prices and quality of products, materials, and vendors, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
Mentor and lead junior designer, fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, and collaboration to maintain a high standard of design.
Ensure accessibility and safety in design by working with the collections department to guarantee that objects are presented in a way that is both secure and accessible to all visitors, including those with ADA limitations.