Exhibition Designer

Museum-of-Fine-Art; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston is seeking an Exhibition Designer to join the Design team. Reporting to the Director of Design, this role focuses on design-based solutions for world-class exhibitions and experiential displays across all project phases, from concept to construction.

The candidate will produce detailed drawings, coordinate with curatorial, graphics, interpretation, conservation, media, and vendors, and help manage budgets and schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a design-related field is required.
• Background in exhibition design or related fields is preferred.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (Vectorworks preferred) and mixed physical-digital environments.

Responsibilities

• Design exhibitions and gallery installations through all project phases.
• Serve as the 3D design representative within the project team.
• Collaborate with curatorial, graphic design, interpretation, conservation, media, and other departments.
• Create detailed 2D and 3D drawings and construction documents.
• Coordinate with fabricators, contractors, and vendors to ensure accurate execution.
• Track budgets and resource needs and report progress to leadership.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

User-centered design

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in design-related field

Experience in exhibition design

Tools

Vectorworks

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Exhibition Designer

5 days ago Requisition ID: 1840

Position Overview: Reporting to the Director of Design, the Exhibition Designer is a key member of the Design team, providing design-based solutions for world-class exhibition projects and spatial display enhancements at varying scales. These projects focus primarily on art-based interpretive and experiential outcomes. Experience across all phases of the exhibition design process is preferred, with particular strength in architecturally driven design solutions.

Essential Functions:

• Design special exhibitions and gallery installations through all phases of a project, often under tight deadlines
• Serve as the 3D design representative within the project team on assigned project
• Work closely with, and integrate the contributions of, curatorial, graphic design, interpretation, conservation, media, and other departments as needed
• Create detailed drawings; including schematics, layouts, finished designs, and construction drawings, in both 2D and 3D formats
• Coordinate with fabricators, contractors, and vendors to help ensure designs are executed accurately and within scope
• Track project budgets and resource needs, and provide regular progress updates to the Project Manager and Director of Design

Secondary Functions:

• Demonstrates familiarity with, and a strong interest in, art history
• Willing to travel to research spatial design solutions in other museums and related architectural spaces

Qualification Requirements and Characteristics

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a design-related field, such as architecture, industrial design, interior design, or fine art, required
• Background in exhibition design, architecture, theatrical design, or industrial design
• Experience with CAD-based design tools, preferably Vectorworks, and with mixed physical-digital environmental design
• Familiarity with ADA-related design practices and requirement
• Proven ability to develop creative, innovative, and aesthetically sophisticated solutions to complex design problems
• Process-driven, with strong visual design skills, careful attention to detail, an appreciation for art in its many forms, and a solid understanding of user-centered design principles
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Skilled at collaborating within a fast-paced team environment, managing tight timeframes, and working constructively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Commitment to supporting the Museum's values of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA)

Salary and Schedule:

Full-Time, 35 hours per week

This position is affiliated with the United Auto Workers Union.

The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Museum reserves the right to change job descriptions. While this job description is intended to include essential duties, it is conceivable that job duties may change before the job description is officially revised.