Exhibition Designer

Job Description

The Harvard Art Museums

Ever since their founding, the Harvard Art Museums—the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum and Arthur M. Sackler Museum—have been dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. Displayed in galleries that mix not only media but schools of art, the collections at Harvard are celebrated and interrogated within a larger story of artistic expression and historical and contemporary issues. The diverse collection is among the largest in the United States. Through research, teaching, professional training, and public education, the museums strive to advance the understanding and appreciation of art.

Summary:
The Exhibition Designer produces unique concepts and plans for gallery installations. Under the supervision of the Assistant Director for Exhibition and their focus on design and installation, this position upholds the museum’s standards for display and aesthetics, while seeking creative solutions to enhance visitors’ engagement with artwork. The Exhibition Designer will serve as lead or supporting designer for numerous exhibition and collection gallery projects, guiding them from concept to production and installation.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Produce installation designs for temporary exhibitions and collection galleries. 
• Work closely with the curator to bring their theoretical concept into a tangible design in keeping with museum standards of sustainability and fiscal responsibility.
• Generate and propose creative solutions for presenting artworks, narratives, and ideas that align with guidelines set by Conservation; Registration; Facilities and Security. Communicate ideas, gather feedback, and obtain consensus from stakeholders for each installation.
• Work closely with Editorial and Design Services to smoothly integrate gallery text and other interpretive elements, including wall graphics, audio and video content, and related print material, into the exhibition design. 
• Will provide all necessary specs (dimensions, wall and furniture colors, label formats) for the creation of gallery text and graphics and will assist in reviewing and reconciling proofs with gallery elevations. 
• To encourage cross-departmental collaboration, meetings or working sessions may take place at the Art Museum Research Facility in Somerville.
• Prepare and disseminate design materials, including floorplan and elevation drawings, exhibition furniture construction drawings if needed, gallery models (physical or virtual), and related documentation. 
• Organize and lead meetings with museum stakeholders to present design plans, review artwork; mockups, conservation and/or loan requirements or other elements that factor into the design. 
• Review design plans with Exhibition Production team to gather feedback on feasibility for execution and installation.
• Works closely with Assistant Director for Exhibitions and Gallery Planning, providing updates on schedule, budget, design status, and other deliverables specific to each installation.  Receive updated information and adjust design and/or schedule as needed.
• Help maintain and build upon design office resources, such as base architectural files, furniture drawings and inventories; design tools such as software and supplies; and project-related documentation on Basecamp and in archives.
• Support gallery installations, being available in person for guidance or to troubleshoot.
• Keep Assistant Director for Exhibitions and other Collections Management staff well informed of project status, identify complications in advance, and seek advice on challenges or next steps.
• Work collaboratively with museum colleagues in the execution of the role's duties.

Working Conditions: This is an on-site position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to move around a multi-story museum building. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.  Ability to walk, stand, stoop, push, and pull; must be able to reach and work above the shoulders, climb ladders, lift, kneel, twist, and squat.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of design, or equivalent professional experience. Minimum of three total years of professional experience (including internships) in exhibition design or comparable fields such as architecture, interior design, industrial/furniture design.  Experience In a museum setting is recommended.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• A body of work that demonstrates relevant skills, such as 3-dimensional and spatial design capability and a creative, problem-solving approach.
• Proficient with computer-aided drafting and 3D modeling software. (The Harvard Art Museums uses Vectorworks and Rhino.) Candidates proficient in other CAD applications are preferred.
• Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop and InDesign) and MS Office software (especially Excel). Organized approach to file management.
• Good hand sketching, model-making, and light-duty prototyping skills.
• Ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously, receive and process large quantities of complex data. An eye for precision and detail is essential. Project leadership or coordination experience helpful.
• Demonstrated success thriving in a large complex organization and managing multiple, sometimes conflicting priorities. 
• Familiarity with museum best practices (conservation, art handling, security, lighting), accessibility, and life-safety regulations.
• Knowledge of architectural and industrial design practices, documentation standards, and nomenclature. Understanding of fabrication techniques, materials, and finishes.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity and Criminal
• Other Information:
  • Up-to-date resume and cover letter.
  • Portfolio of relevant work, demonstrating the candidate’s approach to creative thinking and spatial visualization. The portfolio should highlight the design process as well as the finished product. Provide thoughtful explanations about the project: the challenge/brief, limiting factors, and the design approach or solution. Portfolio should be a formatted document. May be transmitted via a shareable link to a cloud-based storage site (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive) or hosted on a website.
  • 2–3 professional or academic references
  • This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Salary Grade: 056