Oklahoma Arts Council Job Opportunities

To Apply

All applications must be submitted online at jobs.ok.gov. A successful application will consist of: 

• Cover letter addressed to the Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director with information that reflects the applicant’s qualifications for the position 
• Resume with relevant experience and a list of degrees held and/or certifications 
• List of up to three references with names and contact information (letters of reference not required at this time) 

While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. 

Current Job Opportunities

CURATOR OF CAPITOL EXHIBITIONS

Applications for this position must be submitted online at jobs.ok.gov.

Full-time position
Department: Oklahoma Arts Council
County Location: Oklahoma 
Posting Date: August 17, 2023
Open Until Filled

OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL

The Oklahoma Arts Council (OAC) is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts. We strive to build a diverse team comprised of the best and brightest individuals to support our mission to lead, cultivate, and amplify the transformative power of the arts for all Oklahomans and their communities. The Oklahoma Arts Council is currently seeking enthusiastic and creative people with an entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to public service to contribute to our team.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Oklahoma Arts Council seeks an experienced art museum professional to develop and implement exhibition plans for the four galleries in the State Capitol: 1) the Betty Price Gallery, featuring works from the Oklahoma State Art Collection; and 2) three temporary rotating galleries in the Capitol featuring the work of contemporary Oklahoma artists in the North, East, and Governor’s Galleries.

This is a full-time position that reports directly to the Director of Visual and Public Art. Position works in the OAC offices in the Capitol Complex with optional telework available per the agency’s telework policy and schedule. This position includes state retirement and insurance benefits, including health, dental, life, and disability insurance. Salary is commensurate with experience with a cap of $62,690.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position is part of the Visual and Public Art Department of the agency. Primary responsibilities include: working with the Visual and Public Art team to provide technical assistance to agency staff for best practices in curatorial and exhibitions; serving as exhibitions coordinator and curator of the Oklahoma State Art Collection for the Betty Price Gallery; planning and implementation of the temporary Capitol galleries; and other visual arts responsibilities and projects as needed to support the agency’s mission and strategic plan.

Curatorial and exhibitions management job duties include, but are not limited to:

Oklahoma State Art Collection in the Betty Price Gallery
As exhibitions coordinator and curator of the Oklahoma State Art Collection, this position is responsible for the planning, research, conceptual development, and implementation of all exhibitions in the Betty Price Gallery. This position produces a long-range exhibition calendar and is responsible for the scheduling and installation of the exhibition rotations in the Betty Price Gallery space in the Capitol. The position will collaborate with the Director of Collections Management to advise and support artwork selection, layout, and other aspects of the Betty Price Gallery at the Capitol.

Other responsibilities include signage content, lighting, didactic/labels, and gallery maintenance, among others.

Temporary Galleries in State Capitol

• Manage exhibitions in the North, East, and Governor’s Galleries at the Capitol

• Identify and maintain a list of Oklahoma artists for selection process

• Manage all stages of exhibition development including communication and scheduling with artists, preparation, receipt, handling, dispersal, installation, production of signage and labels, promotion and publication materials for exhibits, insurance, deinstallation, and return of exhibits and their materials

• Implement proper storage and display methods

• Monitor the ongoing condition and appearance of exhibit installations

• Oversee display fixtures and lighting and coordinate the necessary repair/maintenance of lighting systems with responsible department or agency

• Ensure adherence to safe workplace practices and procedures in the handling of art and in all exhibit preparation

• Manage inventory of exhibition supplies and materials

• Ensure approval process followed for State Capitol Preservation Commission in public areas

Other Tasks and Responsibilities
Additional tasks may include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as an agency representative for visual arts activities as designated by the Executive Director and the Director of Visual and Public Art. Includes participation in the administration of the Legislative Art in Offices program.

• Collaborate with the Director of Collections Management to ensure proper creation and maintainance of records of loan agreements, insurance coverage, and condition reports as required for loaned works.

• Provide general gallery maintainence, including working with the Director of Collections Management to adhere to an integrated pest management plan for the State Art Collection collection; report risks to the collection; collaborate with the Director of Collections Management to monitor environmental conditions, identify conservation needs.

• Collaborate with the Visual and Public Art team on collections handling, moving, and storage; location and movement control; packing and shipping; plus installation and deinstallation of state-owned artwork.

• Work in tandem with the Visual and Public Art team to plan and implement programs related to the collection and exhibitions such as lectures, multi-media/audio-visual presentations, demonstrations, and workshops.

• Work closely with the Director of Visual and Public Art and in collaboration with OAC staff to research and write for publications and the preparation of copy for interpretive labels, press releases, and other communications.

• Conduct research on artwork in the collection and assist with signage and label development, planning, and implementation.

• Prepare and maintain annual program budgets.

• Manage visual arts activities for special events and other activities at the Capitol and for the agency as needed.

• Other related duties as required by the Executive Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Possess strong written and oral communications, and interpersonal skills

• Take a proactive approach and work independently

• Collaborate as a team player with other agency staff to deliver quality programs and services

• Be able to administer highly confidential matters with tact and diplomacy and the utmost discretion

• Demonstrate professional business orientation and acumen

• Be adept at interacting with people of various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds, embracing diversity and inclusion

• Demonstrate excellent planning and organizational skills

• Meet deadlines consistently

• Be attentive to detail and committed to excellence in all aspects of work

• Present a professional appearance

• Have knowledge of museum best practices in curatorial, art handling, exhibition preparation, research, didactic/label writing, and lighting

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in museum studies, art history, arts administration, public art, or an arts-related field; master’s degree with specialization in an arts-related field preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of curatorial, exhibitions, and collections management or registrar experience required
• High-level project management experience required
• Experience in administering or coordinating art exhibitions and working with artists required
• Ability to produce critical writing for catalogues and other interpretive materials for a wider audience required
• Basic knowledge of conservation techniques
• Skilled with standard electronic collections management systems (i.e. Past Perfect, FileMaker Pro, Access, or equivalent database knowledge preferred)
• Exemplary knowledge of technology, with a high level of computer literacy including the Microsoft Office 365 Suite (Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and SharePoint), database technologies, and mobile computing, among others
• Skilled in organizing work and managing time with ability to complete tasks requiring accuracy and attention to detail
• Bilingual, Spanish-speaker a plus

Key Requirements/Physical Demands:

• Pre-employment OSBI background check must be successfully completed. 

• Must hold driver's license and be able to drive a vehicle to various locations across the state if necessary.

• Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds for 100 yards.

• Must have experience and the ability to lift and handle art objects of various shapes and sizes and familiarity with power tools. 

• While performing the duties of the job, employee is required to talk, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

• This position offices onsite at the Capitol in Collections Storage. 

• Limited overnight travel may be required, as well as attendance at occasional evening or weekend meetings or events.

To Apply

All applications must be submitted online at jobs.ok.gov. A successful application will consist of:  

• Cover letter addressed to the Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director with information that reflects the applicant’s qualifications for the position  

• Resume with relevant experience and a list of degrees held and/or certifications  

• List of up to three references with names and contact information (letters of reference not required at this time) 

While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. 

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The Oklahoma Arts Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.