Merritt Gallery & Renaissance Fine Arts are seeking an Art Handler/Installer/Driver for our Chevy Chase gallery.

Art Handler/Installer/Driver is responsible for the proper handling, loading, unloading, wrapping, and transport of artwork in our fast-paced art gallery. Other responsibilities include assisting in hanging the gallery, handling & installing artwork on in-home/office appointments, preparing artwork for inter gallery transfers.

The current issue of Advances in Online Learning: A Peer-reviewed Journal (Vol 2. 2023-2024, Number 1) has recently published a case study about UMBC's Finish Line program, entitled "Inclusive excellence online: Pandemic lessons learned supporting traditionally underserved students."

Abstract When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and all higher education pivoted to online learning, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) created 'Finish Line', a programme designed to help former students with some college, but no degree to complete their studies, often several years after they had left the institution. More than 200 students have done so to date, which was a surprising pandemic silver lining for an institution with fewer than 5 per cent of all courses delivered online before 2020. But was Finish Line just a temporary strategic initiative to get through a global health crisis? Or could it also be a proof of concept for how to meet and support 'non-traditional' adult learners where they are -- and want to go? In this reflective case study, we offer candid lessons learned to go beyond the logistics of an enrollment management strategy of 're-recruiting' former students through the affordances of online education to reassessing and redefining our 'inclusive excellence' mission in a post-pandemic, often digital-first world.

Co-authors Ken Baron, John Fritz, and Yvette Mozie-Ross collaborated on the case study, originally published online (free to subscribers) by Henry Stewart Publications. It is also available here with permission from HSP.
By John Fritz

Job no: 494324
Work type: Staff Full-time
Location: UMBC Campus
Categories: Arts/Technical/Administration

Department: Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture

https://cadvc.umbc.edu/ 

Position Overview: The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is seeking an Exhibition Designer and Coordinator for the Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture (CADVC). Reporting to the Director and working closely with Center staff, students, artists, curators, and colleagues in art production and presentation, the incumbent will be responsible for completing the individual design, coordination, fabrication, installation, and presentation of exhibitions and special projects presented by the Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture (CADVC). 

Why Work at UMBC? UMBC offers competitive compensation.  This role starts at $57,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

What is it like to work at UMBC?  Check out Glassdoor or Indeed. And read about our recent award, UMBC is a 2023 Great College to Work for. In every category.

Telework:

A hybrid telework schedule may be available.

Responsibilities:

The scope of this position includes overseeing all exhibition, commission, and associated technology decisions including the organization of production designs and diagrams and production schedules for artists, curators, and production teams. This position is responsible for all concerns related to the engineering and scheduling of materials and teams for preproduction, production, and postproduction of exhibition installation, construction, and lighting. Responsibilities include the preparation of diagrams, forms, schedules, procedures, installation, technical needs, operations notes, materials, and the research and implementation thereof. This key staff member at CADVC takes the lead on working closely with artists and curators, training and overseeing teams of installers including student staff, fabricating exhibition display devices including graphic designs and specialty gallery displays, lighting, art handling, packing and crating, and traveling art and exhibitions to other venues.  This person supervises all workers in the CADVC's gallery space, and coordinates work on the CADVC website, including part-time and full-time contractual workers as well as undergraduate and graduate workers.

Other specific responsibilities include: 

• Engineering, scheduling, and producing all materials and teams for preproduction, production, and postproduction of exhibitions. Point person for faculty and student exhibitions.

• Serving as lead installer during exhibition installations and de-installations.

• Overseeing purchase and use of all materials used in fabrication and installation of exhibitions and artistic projects, in consultation with curators and artists. Oversight of all audiovisual and other technologies for CADVC exhibitions and program.

• Polite and professional communication with all partners, including lending institutions, exhibiting artists, guest curators, and others. Regular interfacing and consulting with museum design departments nationally and internationally, as well as lighting design firms, audio visual experts, university and college galleries, local cultural agencies, and other peer institutions.

• Supervising the CADVC shop and storage spaces.

• Training and supervising student assistants

• Overseeing all contractual workers in the CADVC gallery space and shop.

• Managing and maintaining inventories and upkeep of gallery furniture, technical apparatuses, and specialty tools and materials.

• Traveling occasionally to facilitate offsite installation of traveling shows, pickup and drop-off of art materials, and other work in support of CADVC.

• Performing other duties as assigned.

• Some evening and weekend hours will be required for the position.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Education Required: BA in the Arts or BFA or at least four years of comparable experience.

• Must have a professional background and previous working experience of at least two years related to fine art exhibition and/or museum work in the areas of fabrication, installation, and presentation.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• MFA or MA in the Arts

• Degrees with emphasis in media technologies are desirable.

• Three to five years experience related to fine arts exhibition and/or museum work in the areas of fabrication, installation, and presentation.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Upload a cover letter and a resume.  

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Benefits: UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here): 

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave  

• 15 Days of Sick Leave  

• 15 Holidays

• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester

• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

Life and disability insurance, Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan), Professional development opportunities, Wellness opportunities & Much more Contingent II positions may include some benefits. Benefits offered align with type (Regular, Contingent II, etc.) of position. 

Salary: Salary starts at $57,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Hours: Full-time.  Some evening and weekend hours will be required for the position.

Type: Regular

FLSA Status: Exempt

Equal Opportunity Statement: UMBC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Title IX: As an institution that receives federal financial assistance, UMBC adheres to Title IX and does not discriminate on the basis of sex. For more information about Title IX and contact information for Title IX Coordinator click here.

Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Work Authorization As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.

Advertised: Oct 5 2023 09:00 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Open Until Filled

Image: CADVC logo: "Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture" in white text inside a black circle

From October 18 through 21, Livewire, UMBC’s annual festival exploring the music of our times, takes center stage in Linehan Concert Hall. This year, Livewire investigates the power of music to transform. A recital by pianist Idith Meshulam Korman and her collaborator Reese Todd Basile opens the festival with an intimate view of how music has delivered hope and possibilities in a correctional facility; on Saturday, the Decoda ensemble will perform songs and music written by incarcerated musicians.

“We’re asking some challenging questions,” says Airi Yoshioka, professor of music and violinist, who serves as director of this year’s Livewire festival. “What is the role of music in our society? What are the inherent powers that lie within music to transform our lives?” At times, Livewire’s exploration of the transformative power of music is more subtle and layered, ranging from personal journeys through Covid to challenges of political instability.

Student, alumni and faculty collaborations and premieres

UMBC faculty, students, and alumni are featured throughout the festival, especially on Thursday, October 19, when the Ruckus faculty ensemble performs, and on Saturday, October 21, when UMBC’s music students present a concert of their own, as both performers and composers. Livewire includes premieres of works by music alumni Kathryn Blake ’21 and Karena Ingram ’16, a premiere by faculty member Linda Dusman, and premieres of works by student composers D’Juan Moreland and Aaron Statham. The music of Vittoria Tchotche, an exchange student from Piacenza Conservatory in Italy, is also featured.

While many college and university music programs across the country focus primarily on the music of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, faculty at UMBC have embraced the exploration of the music of the 20th and 21st centuries. UMBC’s faculty have been advocates of new music for decades, stretching well beyond the inaugural Livewire festival in 2010.

Six concerts over four days

The complete concert line-up includes three evening and three daytime performances:

Wednesday, October 18, 1 p.m.
Pianist Idith Meshulam Korman and poet-creator Reese Todd Basile

Thursday, October 19, 7:30 p.m.
Ruckus, the UMBC faculty new music ensemble

Friday, October 20, 12 p.m.
Duo della Luna

Friday October 20, 7:30 p.m.
Decoda

Saturday, October 21, 1 p.m.
UMBC Student Concert

Saturday, October 21, 5 p.m.
Stick&Bow

Financial support for Livewire has been provided by the Center for Innovation, Research, and Creativity in the Arts (CIRCA), with additional funding from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Office of the Provost, the Linehan Fund for Excellence in the Arts, and an Alumni Engagement Grant.

Header image: the Decoda ensemble performs on Friday, October 20.