Bell Museum: Exhibits and Gallery Programs Manager

$64,515 - $72,000/Yr

University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, MN

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Minneapolis, MN

Educational Services

About the position

The Exhibits and Gallery Programs Manager provides strategic leadership and management of the Bell Museum's exhibits and gallery programs team's work to develop and implement gallery-based experiences aimed at engaging a range of audiences, including multi-generational family groups, a core demographic for the Bell. The Exhibits and Gallery Programs Manager oversees a small team (currently 3 staff members) responsible for public-facing, gallery-based interpretive efforts, including exhibitions in temporary and permanent galleries, gallery carts and other gallery floor activities, inquiry-based hands-on learning in the Touch and See Lab and Collections Cove, opportunities to engage with nature on the outdoor Learning Landscape, and public programs such as speakers, workshops, festivals, and demonstrations, all to offer a rotating schedule of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)-based museum experiences. This team keeps the Bell's gallery spaces active, vibrant, and lively by creating, maintaining, and updating exhibits, gallery activities, and related programming. The team serves a range of audiences through attention to physical and sensory access, cultural relevance, age and grade-appropriate content, and creating a welcoming environment for all. This position is supervised by the Director of Public Engagement and Science Learning; the team sits within the larger Public Engagement and Science Learning team (PESL). This larger team is responsible for the Bell's major onsite interpretive efforts. Beyond exhibitions and gallery programs, these include planetarium shows and astronomy programming, K-12 science education, and public programming. The Exhibits and Gallery Programs team works with the PESL team to align resources, leverage opportunities, and strengthen visitor experiences for STEAM learning. Further, the PESL team collaborates closely with other teams across the Bell to serve Minnesota; meet the Bell's mission, vision, and values; and achieve the Bell's strategic priorities. The successful applicant for this position will have experience in directing the work of staff and demonstrated success in working collaboratively to engage the public through exhibits, programs, or other related activities that bring together natural history, science, and art. Areas of expertise might include exhibition development, informal science education, or museum interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee interpretive and programmatic efforts in the Bell's gallery spaces, including maintaining and updating permanent exhibits in Minnesota Journeys, booking and implementing leased and temporary exhibitions in Nova Galleries, and offering related experiences in gallery spaces, including the Touch and See Lab, Collections Cove, and the outdoor Learning Landscape.
• Develop and implement exhibitions and displays, with an eye to content that sits at the intersection of natural history, science, and art, and experiences that invite participation through a variety of learning styles, including hands-on and kinesthetic learning.
• Manage the work of staff and independent graphic designers, fabricators, and other contractors to create and produce exhibits and programs.
• Lead and advise team members and others in the development of a suite of programs in support of central museum experiences, such as traveling exhibitions, seasonal experiences, and other opportunities, in order to engage and expand the Bell's audiences.
• Conceive and adapt content and programming to serve diverse, wide-ranging audiences through attention to physical and sensory access, cultural relevance, age and grade-appropriate content, to create a welcoming environment for all.
• Work with managers of other PESL teams (Planetarium and the Education Programs) and with the Director of PESL to develop and implement cross-cutting initiatives in support of the Bell's strategic plan, emphasizing strategic new content areas (e.g., climate change, planetary health, sharing our platform, and creating opportunities for middle and high school students).
• Work with teams across the Bell (Marketing and Communications, Statewide Engagement, Operations, Research and Collections, Development, and Collections and Research), to create effective visitor experiences and a welcoming and inclusive environment that meets the needs of diverse audiences.
• Work closely with partners within the University, with state agencies, and with the community to translate research into high-quality museum experiences and leverage interest in public engagement with science.
• Directly supervise a small staff of P&A and/or Civil Service employees (currently 3 positions), and several Temporary or Casual gallery assistants, through regular check ins and an annual review process.
• Oversee the supervision of dozens of undergraduate and graduate student employees who serve as museum guides.
• Coach staff and support professional development and performance goals.
• Collaborate, communicate, and troubleshoot in cooperation with Bell staff within and across teams to deliver successful exhibit and program experiences.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of appropriate timelines, policies, procedures, and workflows to produce and deliver exhibits and programs.
• Execute and administer contracts and other agreements for leased exhibits, vendors, and other contracts.
• Deliver and support programs as needed, to include gallery, adult, and family programs, as well as large-scale festivals and similar programming.
• Participate in fundraising and philanthropic proposal development in collaboration with the Directors of PESL and Development, to create sponsorship opportunities for programmatic sustainability and to ensure deliverables are met.
• Work with the Director of PESL to develop and administer expense budgets for the Exhibits and Gallery Programs team.
• Conduct evaluative activities and solicit feedback to support the planning and implementation of effective, relevant, and inclusive interpretive initiatives and programs.
• Represent the Bell Museum to the University community and the public, including promoting programs through media appearances and conference attendance.
• Develop and steward relationships to create a pathway to engagement opportunities.
• Identify and implement pathways for increasing diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in exhibit and program development, review, and evaluation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in science, education, design, or a related discipline and at least 6 or more years related work experience, or Master's degree plus at least 2 years of experience.
• 3 or more years of supervisory experience and demonstrated ability to inspire a diverse team of staff and partners, including science researchers/faculty, in the creation of interpretive experiences for the public.
• Knowledge of best practices and trends in informal science learning, science communication, and/or museums.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and an interest in developing and testing experiences and messages for a range of audiences.
• Cultural competence, a commitment to practical and programmatic inclusion, and experience working in/with diverse communities.
• Demonstrated skill in project management, including the ability to manage multiple projects on different timelines to deliver project outcomes and meet deadlines.
• Enthusiasm for collaborative development processes, working within and across teams, stakeholders, and partners to navigate conflict and complexity.
• Available for occasional evening and weekend work, as assigned (to include 2-4 evenings or weekend days per month).
• Proficiency in using Google Suite tools and MS Office products.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in science, education, or a related discipline, with 4 or more years related work experience.
• Museum work history.
• Experience navigating a major research university.
• Experience working with teams to develop exhibits, interactives, or audio-visual experiences.
• Experience organizing public programs for a range of audiences.
• Experience with budget management.
• Experience with exhibit, program, or audience evaluation.
• Experience with community outreach and/or partner stewardship.
• Experience with grant-writing and reporting.
• Experience working with vendors and contractors.
• Demonstrated command of Adobe design suite.
• Fluency in language(s) other than English (Hmong, Somali, Spanish).

Benefits

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• University HSA contributions.
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance.
• Employee wellbeing program.
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity.
• Financial counseling services.
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.