University of Southern Mississippi

Museum Gallery Assistant

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Museum Gallery Assistant.

Position DetailsLocation Hattiesburg

118 College Drive

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001

United States DivisionSchool of Performing and Visual ArtsPosition TypeStaffEmployment StatusPart TimeGrant FundedNo Posting Close DateAugust 1, 2024

Job Summary 

The Museum Gallery Assistant serves the needs of the Museum Director and School of Performing and Visual Arts, primarily as gallery preparator, with responsibilities centering on show installation, labels, lighting, crating and uncrating of artworks, maintenance and preparation of hanging surfaces, exhibition bases and other materials, as well as oversight of student workers, and general gallery management during summer months. Position requires some evening and weekend hours on occasion. This is a part-time position expected to work approximately ten hours per week.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Adhere to university and school policies, procedures, and regulations, represents the museum in contact with the public.
2. Work with the Museum Director in exhibit planning, preparation, installation, events, lectures, and receptions; at times to include off campus venues.
3. Help coordinate with artists, galleries, and shippers for receipt, delivery and return of materials.
4. Supervise student workers and volunteers. Work with student workers in maintaining gallery exhibition surfaces and spaces, lighting, display cases, and bases. This includes, but is not limited to painting, sanding, spackling, ladder work. Works with student workers to prepare the gallery space and exhibition materials for hanging and display. Assist with crating and uncrating of exhibition materials, including, but not limited to, artworks, signage, and labels.
5. Assist the Museum Director with the day-to-day functions of the museum, including processing documentation, such as exhibition text panels and labels, acquisition records, loan forms, condition reports, artist proposals, museum lecture and event schedules. Maintain the museum mailing list. Order food for, and assists with set up and hosting of gallery receptions. Help oversee the conservation, organization, and storage of the Permanent Art Collection, including loan and display and record of Permanent Collection works on loan and on display in university campus buildings and office spaces.
6. Assumes management of Museum and student workers during the summer months or when Director is out, and reports to Art and Design Program Coordinator and School Director.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications 

One-two years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to read, write, and interpret documents such as loan forms, art installation instructions, operating and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write and correspond by mail and email.
• Ability to speak effectively with individuals and before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to measure accurately, use a calculator, read basic instructions, use a level. 
• Physical requirements include performance of repetitive motions with hands, wrists, or fingers. The employee is required to crouch; reach with hands and arms, and use hands to grasp objects, tools, or controls. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee may be working in high, precarious places such as on ladders or museum scaffolding, may work near moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles, vibrations and may sometimes work outside. 

Preferred Qualifications 

BA or BFA Degree in Art is preferred, but not required.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 131 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and large event venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 37 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 37 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 27 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.