Museum/gallery exhibitions officer: Job description

A museum/gallery exhibitions officer is responsible for planning, developing, organising, marketing, administering, producing, buying and maintaining individual permanent or travelling exhibitions. In essence, this is a project management role.

The actual work depends on the setting. In larger museums and galleries, exhibitions officers may be specialists working alongside a team of curatorial, educational and marketing professionals. In smaller galleries and museums, the role may include direct involvement in a wide variety of activities, including fulfilling a curatorial role.

Specifically, an exhibitions officer may be involved in:

• event organisation and operations;
• public relations (PR) and marketing;
• logistics;
• production of publications.

Typical work activities

Depending on the setting, typical work activities may include some or all of the following:

• planning programmes of special and permanent exhibitions, according to visitor needs, alongside the curator;
• sourcing exhibits;
• writing draft proposals;
• researching artists and selecting work;
• securing loans for exhibitions from chosen artists;
• working with curators to plan a long-term strategy for exhibitions;
• fundraising for projects;
• coordinating liaisons between subject specialists and designers;
• creating and monitoring production and installation schedules for exhibitions;
• ensuring installation deadlines are met;
• drawing up and managing exhibition budgets;
• negotiating and agreeing conditions of loans with lenders;
• arranging transport, insurance and security;
• assisting with installation, including the packing, loading, hanging and framing of exhibits;
• working with other staff on the promotion and interpretation of exhibitions;
• writing or commenting on story boards and labels;
• contributing to programmes of events which aim to encourage broader audiences, including educational events;
• involvement in media work such as talking to art critics;
• assisting with the production and launch of publicity material and displays;
• creating web-based information and resources;
• coordinating the production of exhibition catalogues and related publications;
• contributing to museum/gallery development, especially in the area of visitor services.

A large part of the role involves liaising with both internal and external staff and departments, including: technical staff; artists; curators; contractors; conservators; departments such as education, finance, marketing and PR; and the museum shop.