Collections Manager - Hope College Kruizenga Art Museum

Posted on 4/11/24  

The Hope College Kruizenga Art Museum (KAM) seeks a Collections Manager to oversee its collection of more than 10,000 artworks representing a broad range of media, cultures, and historical periods. The museum building occupies approximately 11,000 square feet, with approximately 4,500 square feet of public gallery and program space; 4,300 square feet of work and art storage space; and 2,200 square feet of mechanical room space.  The KAM typically organizes six to eight exhibitions of various sizes per year, drawn mainly from its permanent collection. A list of the museum’s current and past exhibitions is available on the museum’s website.

The mission of the Kruizenga Art Museum is to educate, engage and inspire the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Hope College, as well as the broader communities of Holland and West Michigan. By presenting art from a wide range of cultures and historical periods, the museum fosters the qualities of empathy and understanding that are essential components of Hope College’s mission to provide an outstanding Christian liberal arts education while preparing students for lives of leadership and service in a global society.

The KAM’s full-time staff consists of a Director/Curator, a Collections Manager, and a Visitor Services Coordinator. The museum is part of Hope College’s Division of Arts and Humanities and works collaboratively with many other departments and offices on campus.

Job Responsibilities

The Collections Manager reports to and works closely with the museum’s Director/Curator. Key job responsibilities include:

• Creating and maintaining accurate records for all works of art in the KAM and campus art collections, including conducting periodic inventories as required by policy or circumstances.
• Overseeing the museum’s collection management system (Collective Access), including its public search and digital gallery functions.
• Supervising the physical care and handling of the art collection, including storage needs, exhibition installation and deinstallation projects, conservation projects, and object photography projects.
• Managing invoices, deeds of gift, shipping arrangements, accession number assignments, and other tasks related to the acquisition of new artworks.
• Managing loan agreements, shipping arrangements, condition reporting, and insurance requirements related to any incoming or outgoing loans.
• Working with the Hope College Physical Plant and Campus Safety Departments to ensure the museum maintains proper security measures, environmental conditions, pest control measures, and complies with all safety code requirements.
• Working with the Hope College Business Office to ensure the college maintains adequate insurance coverage for the collection.
• Working with the KAM Director/Curator to produce both digital and printed exhibition catalogs, guides, and brochures.
• Working with the KAM Director/Curator to manage collection information and access requests from faculty, students, and external scholars.
• Working with the KAM Director/Curator to manage student interns, as needed and when available.
• Working with the KAM Director/Curator to identify artworks that are damaged, redundant, or otherwise no longer appropriate for the museum collection, and ensuring that those artworks are deaccessioned and disposed of in accordance with museum best practices.
• Other related duties as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts degree required; Master of Arts degree preferred.
• A minimum of three years working as an art museum registrar or collection manager, with prior experience creating and maintaining records using a sophisticated museum collection management system.
• Prior experience with the physical care and handling of artworks in a museum context, including managing storage needs, exhibition installation and deinstallation projects, conservation projects, and object photography projects. The ability to hinge, mat, and frame artworks is a strong plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with a diverse range of students, staff, faculty, donors, and lenders representing different social, cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to find and establish positive professional relationships with external vendors, contractors, and consultants that can help the museum fulfill its needs.
• Interest in professional growth and the acquisition of new skills, such as matting and framing, lighting design, object photography, or catalog design.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license; be able to visually inspect artwork; sit and stand for extended periods; climb ladders; and lift at least 40 pounds.

The Collections Manager position is a full-time, twelve-month staff position. The normal work week is Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, but some weekend and evening work may occasionally be required. The starting salary range is $50,000-56,000 and the position is eligible for Hope College’s health and retirement benefits. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license and pass a security background check.

For more information about the position and how to apply for it, please visit: https://jobs.hope.edu/postings/3346