The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.
Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.
Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.
Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives.
Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution.
SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.
Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, Temporary (6 months), fully onsite
Reporting to the Collections Manager, the Art Shipping & Receiving Coordinator organizes, supports and documents the movement of artwork; physically accounts for the receipt and release of art shipments to and from Museum locations; coordinates collections and exhibitions materials ordering and tracking; assists with Collections Management projects such as storage inventories. This position assists the members of the Registration, Conservation and Collections Management Departments to ensure the safe handling and storage of artworks and provides support for Collections Management Department activity as needed. This position is integral to maintaining collaborative and effective dock operations and relationships between the museum and its community.
The Collections Management Department provides collections care and access to SFMOMA’s art collections, ensuring the safe handling and storage of artwork, and maintenance of our art storage spaces including the Collections Center, SFMOMA’s dynamic research and storage center. The department is also responsible for preparing, installing, activating, and maintaining art – both borrowed and collection works – for the museum's robust exhibition program.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Team Participation
- Encourage and contributes to an inclusive, rewarding, and inspiring workplace, where innovation, discovery, and constant learning cultivate a deep sense of belonging and shared responsibility within the Collections Management team.
- Share in fostering a culture of safety, inclusivity, and equity.
- Work in a healthy and flexible style, and models empathy and understanding.
- Participate in nurturing collaboration and partnership across teams with fluid communication and respect for diverse expertise essential to an art museum.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the museum’s strategic focus of making programming that engages visitors and inspires individuals to return and recommend the museum to their family and friends.
- Represent the museum at the local, national, and international levels.
- Participate in professional networks, workshops, and programs to stay current with relevant practices, methods, and technologies, as well adding new skills to share with the department.
- Art Shuttle and Transit
- Maintain art shipment calendar; Coordinate with other departments, (Events, Operations, Engineering) and attend bi-weekly Artifax meeting to maintain Dock and Calendars.
- Schedule and oversee the safe preparation, delivery, and dispersal of art objects. Oversee the receipt and release of art shipments at the loading dock, account for exhibition and collection art crates shipped or received, coordinate arrangements with Registration, Collections Management, Conservation, and other related staff.
- Coordinate weekly Art Shuttle activity in partnership with Associate Collections Manager:
- Track and coordinate incoming requests for weekly Art Shuttle transit of collections objects, empty crates and equipment from Registration, Conservation, Collections Management, Library and other museum departments.
- In advance of shuttle day, work with related staff to pack, label and transfer objects to shipping staging area. Oversee delivery and receipt of shuttle loads, disperse objects into art storage and other museum locations.
- Collect and track data in spreadsheets to document shuttle usage and project annual shuttle budget figures.
- Coordinate shipping logistics and needs with fine art shipping vendors, related staff in Registration, Collections Management, Security and Facilities, neighbors on Minna Street and local venues when needed. Update Asana and Collections Management System regarding requests, packing and calendar entries. Accurately identify and quantify objects to both the shipper as well as shuttle staff.
- Coordinate oversized/complex deliveries with SFMOMA security, SFMTA and SFMOMA neighbors.
- Art Storage and Access
- Oversee dockside storage space, maintaining space and temporary storage of artworks within.
- Oversee and track proper temporary storage of empty crates.
- Work in tandem with assigned preparators to safely transport artworks between storage areas.
- Collections Care and Documentation
- Update location, and other related data in collections management system.
- Generate and process related Incoming/Outgoing receipts, and transport documentation.
- Support the various aspects of borrowing and lending objects under the Museum’s domain.
- Conduct routine inventories and perform collection and storage maintenance. Maintain egress and safety of additional temporary storage areas throughout the museum.
- Generate documents and draft/update procedures as needed; reference collected data and prepare reports; review finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, and compliance with policies and procedures.
- Periodically assist as needed with:
- The safe handling, packing, and shipping coordination of artworks.
- Examination of artworks and generation of condition reports.
- Communication with donors, lenders, vendors, packers, and shipping agents.
- Generation of documents, reports, and other materials.
- Other tasks, including maintenance of department files, equipment, and supplies.
- (Maintain regular pest management review of primarily textile-based artworks).
- Oversee Registration shipment duties (e.g. escort shipments, update database locations) when Registration point is unavailable.
- Administration
- Collaborate to fulfill Collections Management department supply needs. Assist exhibition supply ordering on behalf of the department, sourcing and invoice processing including split payments.
- Source supplies, rentals and vendors for specific projects. Generate accounts for online payment systems, and document purchases; handle damaged and undelivered shipment claims. Provide main contact for accounts payable and credit card purchases.
- Maintain knowledge of materials, vendor supplies and recycling material to meet museum goals of sustainability and ethical sourcing.
Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor's degree, or combination of education and relevant work experience. Course work in Art, Art History, Museum Studies, or a closely related field is preferred.
- Minimum of two (2) years training and experience in administrative and business practices. Familiarity with Registration and Collections Management practices and museum operations; knowledge of art handling best practices required.
- Knowledge of Museum purposes, organization, and procedures.
- Demonstrated organizational skills and knowledge of standard office procedures.
- Proficiency or experience with Microsoft Office required. Project management platforms (Teams, Asana, Artifax) and collections management system preferred. Experience with Cargowiz or other space management system preferred.
- Sensitivity to the handling of works of art.
- Ability and willingness to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with Museum colleagues, volunteers, and interns and effectively represent the Museum to outside professionals, vendors, lenders, donors, and members of the arts community. Ability to work collaboratively and independently and conduct effective problem resolution.
- Willingness to work as part of a team, with the ability to shift priorities as needed. Ability to work effectively on a wide variety of projects concurrently with concern for the tasks assigned and the goals of the Department.
Working Conditions
- Workstation is situated at the loading dock at 151 Third Street, S.F. Occasional need to work at the Collections Center warehouse in South San Francisco.
- Must be able to visually inspect artwork.
- Must be available to work nights and weekends on occasion, as required.
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Job posting open date: 10/4/24
All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.
We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period. Applications will not be accepted after a posting has been closed.
Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal of state law.
You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting.
You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at talent@sfmoma.org.
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Last updated on Oct 4, 2024