Assistant Manager, UWM Union Art Gallery

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Assistant Manager 

Department: Union Art Gallery, UWM Student Union, 2200 Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, 53211 

Gallery Website: https://uwm.edu/union/art-gallery/  

Hours: 15-20 hours/week with additional hours during installations and special events 

Pay: $13 hourly as Assistant Manager (first year); $17.50 hourly as Gallery Manager and Curator (second year) 

This position provides administrative, managerial, and exhibition & installation support for the Manager for Arts Programming and the Union Art Gallery Manager, working on a variety of projects such as supervising the installation of exhibitions, maintaining the gallery’s permanent collection, and overseeing scheduling and staff training, as well as guiding the gallery’s visitor services and daily operation. This role requires between 15-20 hours per week. 

This position reports directly to the Gallery Manager and Curator. The expectation of this role is a 2-year commitment—the first year being in the role of Assistant Manager and training with the Gallery Manager, and the second year stepping into the role of full Gallery Manager and Curator. 

Anticipated start date is flexible for this role.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  

Prior experience in art galleries, museums, and/or other areas of the arts industry preferred. 

Ability to follow-through tasks with high reliability. 

Great written and verbal communication skills. 

Ability to work independently with limited supervision. 

Dedication to the learning experience of the entire staff. 

Strong computer skills, including MS Word and Excel. 

Precise attention to detail and good organizational skills. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  

Must be a current UW-Milwaukee Graduate student (MA, MFA, and PhD all welcome to apply)

Knowledge of gallery practices is desirable. This role is ideal for a student interested in visual arts, community programming, education, art engagement, and/or working in the arts/creative industry more broadly.   

Candidates of all academic backgrounds encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Administrative and Managerial Duties 

Attend weekly meetings with the gallery manager to discuss operational needs for the gallery and assess task delegation for the week 

Coordinate staff training, staff meetings, and weekly staff schedules 

Handle personnel issues while in communication with the gallery manager 

Work with Union Event Services to schedule outside events in the gallery 

Staff special events through the gallery 

Assist in developing, administering, and implementing Union Art Gallery’s visitor services program and all daily operations 

Exhibitions and Collections 

Lead the organization, communication, implementation, and installation of all aspects of all student exhibitions in the gallery (2-3 exhibitions each year) - including communication with the UWM Department of Art and Design Faculty, and outreach to area art programs 

Train gallery staff to maintain highest level of quality art handling procedures  

Assist with the supervision of installations and deinstall including delegation of pedestal prep, as well as hanging, lighting, and packaging artwork 

Maintain inventory and make purchases of supplies, tools, and equipment 

Create labels for each exhibition  

Conduct and maintain a physical inventory of the gallery’s permanent collection and artwork archive 

Coordinate the installation of permanent collection items throughout the Union 

Complete additional duties outlined by the Gallery Manager and Manager for Arts Programming 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS  

Candidates should submit a letter of interest (cover letter) and resume in one of these formats:   

Email materials to Manager for Arts Programming, Samantha Timm, timms@uwm.edu  .  

Apply online on UWM Handshake, https://app.joinhandshake.com/login        

ABOUT THE UNION ART GALLERY 

The Union Art Gallery (UAG) is an art space dedicated to the exhibition of diverse, contemporary art. 

The UAG presents a broad range of visual art by exhibiting work in all mediums by local, regional, national, and international emerging and established artists, including work by UWM students. 

In addition, between our robust exhibition schedule and ambitious public programs, the UAG is a laboratory for learning and a space for dialogue for the artists, students, and communities we serve. 

Please see more details about the program on our website and Instagram! 

https://uwm.edu/union/art-gallery/  

https://www.instagram.com/unionartgallery/  

PANTHER EDGE COMPETENCIES  

Critical Thinking: Analyze and evaluate information to navigate complex situations, address challenges, and identify possible outcomes.  

Communication: Use appropriate methods to communicate effectively with transparency and empathy in a variety of settings.  

Collaboration: Contribute to personal and professional environments through respectful cooperation and conflict management.  

Equity and Inclusion: Practice cultural competency and advocacy to ensure people feel valued, respected, and understood in diverse contexts.  

Professionalism: Ethically adapt within a range of environments to be a successful and authentic version of themselves.  

Community Engagement: Actively interact with the community to recognize opportunities for development and create meaningful progress.  

Leadership: Promote positive development as a role model by facilitating teamwork and taking accountability.  

Self-reflective and Lifelong learning: Examine personal experiences to identify strengths, tackle areas of opportunity, achieve goals, and cultivate curiosity.