Exhibitions and Digital Production Specialist

Alabama State Council on the Arts; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) seeks an Exhibitions and Digital Production Specialist to support the development, production, and installation of exhibitions, including both in an on-site gallery and traveling exhibitions.

This role collaborates with artists, exhibition venues, and Council staff to ensure high‑quality exhibitions, manage the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery (5–6 exhibitions annually), and produce printed reproductions for traveling shows across Alabama.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Fine Arts, Photography, Graphic Design, or a related field, OR equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in exhibition coordination, art handling, or museum/gallery work.
• Strong knowledge of best practices in fine art handling, packing, and transportation.
• Experience with exhibition installation, including using tools such as drills, ladders, and lighting equipment.
• Experience with large-format printing and digital production, including Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout Alabama as needed (occasional overnight stays required).
• Ability to lift 30-50 pounds, reach overhead, and stand for extended periods.
• Comfortable working at heights on ladders and lifts for exhibition lighting and installation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the receipt, packing, unpacking, and transportation of artworks for gallery exhibitions and traveling exhibitions.
• Install and deinstall all exhibitions in the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery, including lighting, signage, and wall text.
• Manage temporary storage of incoming and outgoing artworks, ensuring safety and proper handling.
• Maintain exhibition materials and tools, patch and repaint gallery walls as needed, and prepare exhibition displays such as pedestals.
• Travel across Alabama to install and deinstall traveling exhibitions, coordinating logistics with host venues.
• Ensure all art handling and transportation practices align with industry best practices for conservation and safety.
• Work closely with the Visual Arts Program Manager to ensure exhibitions align with ASCA’s mission and programming goals.
• Collaborate with communications and marketing staff for exhibition promotion.
• Research and recommend exhibition tools, supplies, and best practices for improving production and installation quality.
• Assist with general exhibition maintenance and troubleshooting as needed

Job description

Position Overview

The Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) is seeking a highly skilled Exhibitions and Digital Production Specialist to support the development, production, and installation of exhibitions, including both in an on-site gallery and traveling exhibitions. This role requires expertise in fine art handling, exhibition installation, large-format digital printing, and digital image reproduction. The successful candidate will work closely with artists, exhibition venues, and Council staff to execute high-quality exhibitions and maintain best practices in art handling and display.

This position reports to the Visual Arts Program Manager and plays a key role in managing the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery, which hosts 5-6 exhibitions annually. Additionally, the position supports the design of traveling exhibitions by producing high-quality printed reproductions of artworks and coordinating logistics for installation at venues across Alabama.

Key Responsibilities

Exhibition Coordination & Art Handling

• Oversee the receipt, packing, unpacking, and transportation of artworks for gallery
  exhibitions and traveling exhibitions.


• Install and deinstall all exhibitions in the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery,
  including lighting, signage, and wall text.


• Manage temporary storage of incoming and outgoing artworks, ensuring safety and
  proper handling.


• Maintain exhibition materials and tools, patch and repaint gallery walls as needed, and
  prepare exhibition displays such as pedestals.


• Travel across Alabama to install and deinstall traveling exhibitions, coordinating logistics
  with host venues.


• Ensure all art handling and transportation practices align with industry best practices for
  conservation and safety.

Digital Production & Large-Format Printing

• Manage and operate ASCA’s Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-4100 large-format printer for
  exhibition signage, fine art reproductions, and photographic prints.


• Prepare digital files for high-quality printing, including color calibration, high-resolution
  scanning, and photography of artworks for reproduction.


• Print on a variety of media, including fine art papers, canvas, adhesive vinyl, and vinyl
  banners.


• Work with artists to obtain high-quality images of their work and secure reproduction
  rights/licenses.


• Collaborate with Council staff to develop innovative traveling exhibitions using printed
  reproductions.

Travel & Logistics Management

• Drive ASCA’s state vehicle to transport artworks and exhibition materials.


• Coordinate with host venues statewide to schedule installation and deinstallation of
  traveling exhibitions as well as track attendance and collect data on the impact of each
  exhibition.


• Arrange for professional transportation services when needed for larger, more fragile,
  and/or international exhibitions.

Collaboration & Administrative Support

• Work closely with the Visual Arts Program Manager to ensure exhibitions align with
  ASCA’s mission and programming goals.


• Collaborate with communications and marketing staff for exhibition promotion.


• Research and recommend exhibition tools, supplies, and best practices for improving
  production and installation quality.


• Assist with general exhibition maintenance and troubleshooting as needed

Qualifications & Skills

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Fine Arts, Photography, Graphic Design, or a
  related field, OR equivalent professional experience.


• Minimum of 2 years of experience in exhibition coordination, art handling, or
  museum/gallery work.


• Strong knowledge of best practices in fine art handling, packing, and transportation.


• Experience with exhibition installation, including using tools such as drills, ladders, and
  lighting equipment.


• Experience with large-format printing and digital production, including Adobe
  Photoshop and InDesign.


• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout Alabama as needed (occasional
  overnight stays required).


• Ability to lift 30-50 pounds, reach overhead, and stand for extended periods.


• Comfortable working at heights on ladders and lifts for exhibition lighting and installation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient with digital photography equipment, editing software, and lighting.


• Experience with matting, framing, or print finishing techniques.


• Familiarity with archival and conservation practices for printed materials and artworks.


• Experience printing on multiple materials such as canvas, vinyl, and fine art papers.


• Experience creating exhibition signage and interpretive text design.

Work Environment

This role requires hands-on work in a gallery and production environment. This position is in person only, no remote or hybrid option. The position involves occasional travel, up to 10% of working time, physical activity, and working with tools and equipment for exhibition setup.
While collaboration with other departments is expected, the Exhibitions and Digital ProductionSpecialist will work independently on many aspects of their projects.