• Job Description

  Req#: 473644

  The Mellon Foundation (“Foundation”) is a not-for-profit, grant making organization that believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom to be found there. Through its grants, the Foundation seeks to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. The Foundation makes grants in four core program areas—Higher Learning, Public Knowledge, Arts and Culture, and Humanities in Place—and through its signature Presidential Initiatives.

  The Foundation seeks an Art Collection Manager.

  Summary:

  Reporting to the Director, Library and Archives, on the Library and Archives team, and working in close collaboration with the Office of the President and Arts and Culture Program Officers, the Art Collection Manager is responsible for all aspects of management for the Mellon Art Collection, which is housed in the Foundation’s midtown offices and in off-site storage. This individual directly, and/or in collaboration with other Foundation staff or consultants, cares for and oversees all aspects of the presentation of the collection; researches, documents, and provides information about and access to the collection; coordinates logistics for acquisitions and deaccessioning; manages the development of new policies relating to the collection; acts as registrar for the collection; and supports the development of programming to activate the collection and engage the artists whose work it reflects. This post will serve on a two-year contractual basis, with the possibility that it may develop into a formal position depending on Foundation needs. The role works from Mellon’s New York City offices a minimum of three days each week, with additional time on site as needed.

  
  

  Position Details:

  Collection and Project Management

  • Manages activities and projects associated with the Mellon Art Collection, including those touching on acquisitions, budgeting, conservation, deaccessions, installations, loans, programming, and systems.
  • Leads the search for and implementation of a new collections management system, including migration and training.
  • Manages Art Collection acquisition and operating budget (for shipping, handling, framing, repairs, etc.).
  • Manages relationships and contracts with outside vendors relevant to Art Collection activities.
  • Manages off-site storage of art, including through visits to the storage facility.
  • Coordinates staff lending for offices from the collection.
  • Maintains up-to-date artwork valuations, consulting with appraisers and galleries.
  • Collaborates with Finance to maintain adequate insurance coverage for the collection.
  • Maintains updated Business Continuity and Enterprise Risk Register for the collection.

  Registrar Responsibilities

  • Processes new acquisitions, including handling details of purchase.
  • Drafts and oversees the production and hanging of new wall labels.
  • Organizes collection description and documentation, including all photographs and photography, documents, and online materials for internal and external purposes, including interfacing with any writers and reading/proofreading.
  • Conducts regular in-person condition checks of all Foundation artworks.
  • Prepares updated condition reports annually or as needed.
  • Coordinates artwork conservation needs and logistics.
  • Coordinates loan paperwork and logistics in collaboration with Legal.
  • Reviews facility reports, prepares loans, and oversees loan transportation logistics.
  • Reviews and confirms any credit lines, rights, and reproductions from the collection.

  Enrichment and Documentation

  • Researches, compiles, and organizes information about objects and artists in the collection.
  • Coordinates with Communications for the provision of any related texts for the internal or external website.
  • Coordinates the creation and updating of policies relating to the art program, including policies for lending, donations, and acquisitions, in partnership with Foundation stakeholders.
  • Responds to research requests.
  • Develops and administers a process for public viewing of the collection (by appointment), in coordination with relevant departments.
  • Acts as internal point person for programming around the collection.

  
  

  Qualifications:

  The ideal candidate would hold a bachelor’s degree in art history, arts administration, museum studies, or an equivalent concentration and have at least three-to-five years of experience working in an arts-related institution, gallery, museum, or managing a small art collection. Applicants should possess:

  • Hands-on experience managing a small art collection.
  • Superior project management and communication skills; excellent analytical, critical thinking, and organizational skills with precise attention to detail.
  • Proficiency in art collection management software applications as well MS Office and Adobe tools. (Work with digital asset management systems a plus).
  • Awareness of AAM/AAMD standards and experience adhering to standards, as possible.
  • Strongly collaborative work style, sound judgment, and the ability tactfully interface with executives, program and operational colleagues, and artists and vendors.
  • Ability to navigate work with minimal direct supervision and to manage multiple obligations while being a committed team player.
  • Ability to anticipate and solve problems proactively; willingness to learn from mistakes.

  Mellon offers a generous total reward package that provides base salary as well as a comprehensive benefits program. Mellon is committed to providing compensation that is competitive and equitable within the philanthropic sector. The estimated salary range for this role is $95,000-$115,000. The amount of pay offered will be determined by several factors, including but not limited to qualifications, unique skills, credentials or experience that is expected to impact the candidate’s contribution to the role. We will also consider market data as well as the Foundation’s internal pay equity framework.

  Please note that Mellon maintains a hybrid work schedule, with three days/week in person at the Foundation’s Manhattan offices.

  Candidates should apply by submitting a thoughtful cover letter describing fit for the position and a resume.

  The Foundation will consider each response carefully, but only contact those individuals it believes are most qualified for the position.

• About the company

  The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation of New York City in the United States is a private foundation with five core areas of interest, and endowed with wealth accumulated by Andrew Mellon of the Mellon family of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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