What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Art Collections Manager position at City of Boise, ID?
Summary Statement
The City of Boise Department of Arts & History is dedicated to cultivating a distinct sense of place that reflects Boise’s rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting. Through our work, we empower and serve Boise residents by creating opportunities that nurture and sustain both our city’s history and its creative economy.
We are seeking a Collections Program Manager to oversee the care, maintenance, display, and rotation of Boise’s public art collection. This role ensures proper management of the collection by following best practices and museum standards, including professional art handling methods and safety protocols. The Collections Program Manager supervises the Program Specialist and works under the direction of the Public Art Manager, contributing to the long-term stewardship of Boise’s public art assets. This position works under general direction, requiring expertise in collections management and a passion for preserving and showcasing public art.
Essential Functions
Performs the full range of duties (with appropriate managerial review), including hiring, evaluating, promoting, and assigning duties; correcting inappropriate actions or behavior through communication and coaching, initiating discipline or termination as needed; and overseeing employees or a group.
Develops and implements a collection maintenance plan. Manages the annual maintenance budget, oversees contractors and manages contracts for specialized maintenance projects, including acquiring estimates and bids, and hiring contract specialists, drafting contracts and determining scope of work and payment schedules. Ensures effective communication with artists and contractors.
Manages and oversees the collection management software (CMS) to ensure all artwork is properly catalogued and available for public access. Handles property easement requisitions for site-based works, follows up on contract warranties and creates and presents deaccession proposals. Ensures proper reporting for insurance purposes and maintains adequate coverage. Manages record-keeping, database entry by staff, and supports exhibitions, including condition assessments, planned and incidental repairs, inventory and movement. Processes and maintains collection records and coordinates the movement and display of artwork in the portable collection, including photography when needed.
Collaborates with the public art project team to make recommendations and review materials, siting and maintenance requirements for projects in production.
Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.
Requirements
Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Bachelor's degree in arts administration, museum management or related field and six years of experience in management of public art projects or museum collections, including collections databases, art collection care, maintenance and conservation, managing contractors and/or developing maintenance plans, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of: personnel management; best practices in gallery/museum collection management; art conservation practices; public art processes and policies; common materials and methods used in art cleaning and restoration; Visual Arts Rights Act (VARA) and copyright law; standard workplace safety protocols including those related to production of art; basic research and data collection techniques, methods and procedures; and computer usage including related software.
Ability to: understand construction and schematic documents; interpret contracts and legal documents; identify site conditions and agents of deterioration; maintain manual dexterity and sensitivity with art handling; exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive and confidential information; plan, develop and successfully implement projects and events from inception to completion; coordinate multiple projects concurrently; develop partnerships with individuals and organizations; provide effective supervision; communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; and perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.
Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.
Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Master's degree in art management, museum administration or art-related field with an emphasis on museum collection management, conservation practices and six years of experience overseeing maintenance and preservation of a large art collection.
Licensing And Other Requirements
Valid state-issued driver's license.
Special Requirements
Applicants must be able to pass:
City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
Driving Record Check
Working Conditions
The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Efforts
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds. Also, the employee is frequently pushing/pulling up to 10 pounds and occasionally pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds. The noise level is frequently moderate and rarely very loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.
Working Environment
The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Employees are exposed to mechanical hazards. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Work includes protected exposure to chemicals.
This position works: evenings and weekends as necessary for installations, dedications and special events.
