Exhibition Project Director

The Adirondack Experience (ADKX) seeks an Exhibition Project Director to oversee the creation of a new permanent, interactive exhibition about the lives of African Americans, past and present, in the Adirondack region of northern New York. The exhibition will be approximately 2,100 square feet in size. This will be a 30-month appointment beginning June 2024. The exhibition will open in 2026. The selected candidate will collaborate with scholars, community representatives, ADKX's staff, and outside consultants such as an exhibition designer, media designer, and audience evaluator. S/he will also be responsible for carrying out a public collecting initiative to identify documents, photographs, and artifacts that are in private hands to help tell the story of the Adirondacks' Black community. ADKX will seek to build on, and complement, recent work of historians and community activists in the region. Candidates should have a graduate degree in Black Studies, American History, Museum Studies, or a related field. Experience working with museums or on public history projects is preferred as is experience in working with African American community groups.

Rate of Pay: $75,000 - $80,000

DUTIES INCLUDE:

A. Survey current scholarship and museum practice.

1. Review the literature on the subject of African Americans in the Adirondack region and comparable, rural areas in the Northeast.
2. Review recent developments in the presentation of African American history in exhibitions and public programming.
3. Share findings with ADKX staff, academic consultants, community members, and others to obtain their input and help define the scope and content of the exhibition.

B. Develop the exhibition in collaboration with project team.

1. Identify key project consultants such as an exhibition designer, media designer, and an audience evaluation specialist.
2. Identify exhibition themes, strategies for presenting them using artifacts and media, and oversee development of the exhibition design.
3. Draft scripts for the exhibition text and media elements.
4. Oversee the production and installation of the exhibition by outside fabricator.

C. Coordinate public collecting campaign to obtain by gift or loan historical materials to complement those already in the ADKX collections.

1. Create a wish list of materials that can supplement existing ADKX holdings for use in the exhibition.
2. Work with community partners, particularly North Country Public Radio, to publicize the public collecting initiative.
3. Leverage social media to generate interest in, and leads for, the public collecting initiative.
4. Supervise a part-time assistant to help with outreach to community representatives and the retrieval of artifacts.

D. Network with a variety of constituencies to generate public interest in the project.

1. Meet in person and virtually with community members, representatives of nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and the press to promote the project.
2. Provide in person and Zoom public programs about the project, progress being made, and significant discoveries/developments.

E. Assist in the development of public programs to accompany the exhibition.

1. Provide guidance for ongoing adult and K-12 programming that can be offered following the exhibition opening.

F. Other duties as assigned.

1. Graduate degree in Black Studies, American History, Museum Studies, or a related field.
2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to articulate the significance of the project.
3. Strong administrative and organizational skills; attention to detail is critical.
4. Ability to manage time efficiently, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
5. Ability to work independently and within a team.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills.
7. Driver's license and willingness to travel within the Adirondack Park and to nearby urban centers.
8. Supervisory experience and ability to direct, motivate and evaluate staff.
9. 3 - 5 years of experience in a museum or other setting involving public history is preferred.
10. Experience working with African American community groups is preferred.