Director of Programs and Exhibitions

The Freeport Art Museum seeks a qualified candidate to fill the role of Director of Programs and Exhibitions. This role provides leadership for the museum’s efforts to provide meaningful art experiences for diverse audiences onsite and in the larger community through our outreach programs. The Director of Programs and Exhibitions also helps define the museum’s strategies for future programming and exhibitions. 

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is $40,000 to $50,000

Benefits include generous paid holiday and vacation, and either a stipend for health insurance or a 403b/IRA retirement account with matching.

Responsibilities include

• Develop and deliver innovative programs and experiences that spark imagination and engagement in the arts.
• Manages temporary and permanent exhibitions and other public programs that engage the Museum’s audiences creatively and effectively. 
• Directs and assists interns, volunteers, and committee members in the installation of shows in the main museum galleries.
• Proactively develops relationships with local and regional artists to share their work in solo and group exhibitions. Reviews and accepts exhibition proposals in coordination with the rest of the FAM Staff and Exhibition Committee.
• Recruits, directs, and collaborates with contract and part-time art teaching staff, two committees, and several rotating interns and volunteers to deliver outreach programs to area museum partners.
• Works with the Exhibition Committee to schedule a calendar of exhibitions and related programs.
• Collaborates with FAM Executive Director on mounting shows drawn from the museum’s considerable permanent collections.
• Coordinates with FAM Assistant Director to create promotional materials for new exhibitions, programs, and events.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Other attributes and professional qualifications
Demonstrates a welcoming and accessible approach to their work and has an open, team-oriented outlook. 

Exhibits interest in the larger museum and art community and seeks out opportunities to become involved, foster relationships and create partnership opportunities when appropriate.

Represents the museum in professional, academic and social forums with local, regional, and state-wide colleagues and the broader cultural community, playing a key role in advancing the museum’s reputation. This position will also lead in creating and maintaining partnerships with K-12 schools, area youth organizations, and the local community college.

Manages projects, maintaining and meeting deadlines, with strong skills at prioritizing and multitasking. Is flexible and resourceful. Anticipates needs of other staff. Maintains a professional demeanor, particularly when dealing with the public, board, members, donors or other important constituents.

Requirements

Qualified candidates will possess a Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Arts degree (Master's degree preferred) in Art, Art History, Art Education, Museum Studies, or other relevant field, as well as a minimum of 3 years of experience in an art education or museum setting.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear; to use arms, and hands to handle and/or reach. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and climb stairs throughout the day. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

About the Freeport Art Museum

The Freeport Art Museum (FAM) is a small art museum located in Freeport, Illinois with a current full-time staff of three people. Our mission is to create experiences that spark imagination and engagement in the arts for all people by presenting exhibitions and cultural events, advancing arts education and excelling in collection stewardship. FAM exhibits art from our large collection as well as regional contemporary artists, supports performing arts, and develops art education programming for all ages.

Established in 1975, the Freeport Art Museum is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that is currently housed in a converted brick school built in 1911. The building is owned by the City of Freeport and is leased to FAM. The Museum is currently undertaking two large capital projects that are helping to establish an arts and culture district in the city’s historic downtown and will provide a new home for the organization.

More information about the Freeport Art Museum is available on our website at www.freeeportartmuseum.com