Exhibition & Collections Manager, The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Blowing Rock, NC

Southeastern Museums Conference; Blowing Rock (NC); On-site; USD 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum seeks a full-time Exhibitions & Collections Manager to oversee exhibition planning, manage the permanent collection, and facilitate outreach. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field and experience in project management and art handling.

Benefits

Signing bonus of $1,000

Annual health stipend of $5,200

10 paid holidays

3% match on Simple IRA

Starting annual PTO of 120 hours

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating exhibitions and collections care.
• Familiarity with proper art handling procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning and coordination of exhibitions.
• Ensure collections care and documentation.
• Manage budgets for exhibitions and collections.

Skills

Project Management

Art Handling

Organizational Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Studio Art, Art History, or a related field

Tools

PastPerfect

Google Workspace

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Exhibition & Collections Manager, The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Blowing Rock, NC

The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) seeks a full-time Exhibitions & Collections Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of all exhibitions and to steward the Museum’s permanent collection of over 800 objects. This position manages every phase of exhibition production—from initial planning through installation—including loan documentation, insurance coverage, shipping logistics, and art handling, and works closely with the Museum’s Preparator to support preparatory and installation tasks. The Manager is also responsible for collections care and documentation, including conducting semi-annual inventories, tracking preservation priorities, and ensuring the safe movement and handling of all loaned and permanent collection works in accordance with BRAHM’s collections policy. This position reports to the Curator of Exhibitions & Collections and the Executive Director.

BRAHM’s mission is to curate, preserve, educate, and inspire. Rooted in the creative cultures of Appalachia, BRAHM aims to cultivate a community that extends beyond its walls and region, positioning Western North Carolina as a leader in the arts. The 25,000-square-foot Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, located just off Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock, opened its doors on October 1, 2011. Open year-round and free to the public, BRAHM welcomes more than 24,000 visitors annually to experience a dynamic slate of exhibitions and programs. The Museum features over 15 rotating exhibitions each year across multiple galleries, alongside a robust schedule of lectures, workshops, and special events. BRAHM’s permanent collection encompasses more than 600 works of American art, including paintings by Elliott Daingerfield, Maud Gatewood, and Elizabeth Bradford, ceramics by Mark Hewitt, and a growing focus on 20th- and 21st-century artists from North Carolina and the greater Appalachian region. Contemporary craft from across the United States is also a central pillar of the collection. BRAHM extends its impact beyond the Museum walls through its outreach education program, which brings arts-based learning to local schools, daycares, and senior centers.

Title: Exhibitions & Collections Manager

Division: Collections, Exhibitions

Reports To: Curator, Executive Director

Pay Range: $38,000

Benefits: $1,000 signing bonus (contingent upon completion of 6 months of employment); $5,200 annual Health Stipend; 10 paid holidays; 3% match on Simple IRA; starting annual PTO of 120 hours (prorated from hire date with biennial increase); 90-day performance review with potential salary increase effective January 1, 2026

Job Summary:

This position plays a key role in coordinating and facilitating the production and installation of both temporary and permanent exhibitions while managing the care of the Museum’s Permanent Collection. The ideal candidate is a creative problem solver with strong organizational skills, a collaborative and team-oriented mindset, and the ability to thrive in a multi-disciplinary museum environment. This role requires demonstrated project management experience related to short- and long-term exhibition planning. A positive demeanor, cheerful attitude, and the ability to quickly learn new skills are essential. BRAHM values diverse backgrounds and skill sets, and we consider candidates based on a holistic assessment of their combined qualifications.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Studio Art, Art History, or a related field

Experience coordinating exhibitions and collections care

Familiarity with proper art handling procedures

Knowledge of collection management systems and best practices

Strong organizational, interpersonal, and written/verbal communication skills

Ability to independently manage multiple projects while creating and meeting deadlines

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, and the public

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate degree (MA, MS, or MFA) in a relevant field

Knowledge of responsive, current collections management practices

Experience with collections databases (PastPerfect preferred) and proficiency in Google Workspace and Adobe Creative Suite

Familiarity with professional museum standards, including registration, conservation, storage, and shipping practices

Experience in collections procedures such as accessioning, documentation, attribution, and safe storage

Ability to implement strategic collections plans

Experience training or supervising volunteers and interns

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Collaborate with the Curator and Preparator to develop exhibition schedules, budgets, and contracts for temporary, permanent, and traveling exhibitions.

Manage artworks and materials in accordance with BRAHM’s collections management policies and strategic collections plan.

Ensure environmental and object safety throughout the exhibition process—including during installation, exhibition run, and deinstallation—and conduct daily monitoring and maintenance of gallery conditions.

Maintain complete and accurate object and exhibition records; share documentation with internal and external stakeholders as needed.

Coordinate all aspects of artwork preparation for exhibition or loan, including transportation, condition reporting, and loan documentation.

Prepare and monitor the annual departmental budget for exhibitions and collections, including tracking project expenses across current and future fiscal years.

Maintain and update the Museum’s collections management database, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to best practices.

Oversee the accessioning, processing, and proper storage of objects entering the collection.

Support or initiate grant applications and other funding strategies to advance collection care and exhibition initiatives.

Monitor the security of the collections, including oversight of best practices in storage and exhibition environments, particularly within the vault.

Serve as a core staff member on the Museum’s Collections Committee.

Contribute to long-range planning related to collections development and care.

Develop and implement the Museum’s disaster preparedness plan for collections.

Supervise and support collections-related research.

Direct and train interns and temporary staff assisting with collections or exhibition projects.

Ensure compliance with all Museum policies, procedures, and safety regulations.

If interested, opportunity to curate smaller exhibitions as assigned by the Curator.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Curator and Executive Director.

The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum is a non-profit institution in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, serving the immediate communities of Watauga, Caldwell, and Ashe Counties as well as visitors to the High Country area from across the nation. BRAHM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

To apply for this position, please email a resume and cover letter to Gabe Wilson, [e-mail] . Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, but priority will be given to applicants who apply by June 27th.