Public Art Program Manager

Arts, Stanford, California, United States

Administration

Post Date May 14, 2024

Requisition # 103249

Stanford University is one of the world’s premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and improving our world. The university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives. Stanford’s future success will be shaped by its diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture.

The Vice Presidency for the Arts at Stanford University (VPA) elevates the arts in the university’s priorities and leads strategic planning for the university’s arts goals. Stanford’s non-departmental arts units fall under the auspices of the VPA, including Stanford Live (Bing Concert Hall and Frost Amphitheater), Anderson Collection at Stanford University, Cantor Arts Center, Stanford Arts Institute, and the Institute for Diversity in the Arts. In addition, the central Office of the Vice President for the Arts provides shared services and manages campus-wide arts opportunities, strategic partnerships, arts grant opportunities, and student support.

Public art has long been a defining feature at Stanford. Sculptures are found all across campus, most famously the Rodin Sculpture Garden of the Cantor Art Center, which holds the largest collection of Rodin sculptures in America. There are also some 80 public works by artists including Josef Albers, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, Andy Goldsworthy, Deborah Kass, Beverly Pepper, Richard Serra, and Don Yeomans, and recent commissions include projects with Alicja Kwade, Sam Van Aken, Ursula von Rydingsvard, and Xu Zhen. Overall, the public art program is meant to reflect the dynamic spirit of the university and create a tangible expression of the importance of art to Stanford’s educational mission.

The Public Art Program Manager is a new role meant to bring greater oversight and coordination to care of public art campus-wide. Housed in the Office of the Vice President for the Arts, the program manager will work in collaboration with the university Public Art Committee; the Cantor Arts Center and Anderson Collection; Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE); the dozen or so campus units holding public art; and a range of staff/faculty/students, artists, technical specialists, and vendors to appropriately steward these artworks for the benefit of the campus and surrounding community.

The Program Manager will report to the Assistant Vice President for the Arts, with a dotted-line relationship to the Cantor’s Associate Director of Collections, who oversees outdoor art within the museum’s collection.

For priority consideration, applications should be submitted before June 14 . The start date for this role is anticipated for September 2024.

In this role, you will:

Program Development

• Partner with the university Public Art Committee and Assistant VP to execute on a holistic vision and priorities for public art across existing works, new acquisitions, and temporary installations.

• Advise on more formal definitions, criteria, and protocols for building out a centrally managed campus public art program.

• Develop a community of practice, including effective communication channels and shared resources, for the many campus units and staff whose work intersects with public art, from facilities managers, project managers, and collections staff to grounds and tree specialists.

Maintenance and Care

• Partner with the museums, LBRE, schools/units, artists, and external consultants to establish and execute maintenance protocols, including ongoing maintenance and necessary one-time conservation/repairs.

• Manage large-scale and technical treatments alongside conservation specialists; directly conduct basic maintenance and minor treatments.

• Coordinate with museums and LBRE regarding established Stanford collections management and maintenance-tracking systems to integrate opportunities for public art maintenance-tracking and requests.

• Produce condition reports for existing, incoming, and outgoing works.

• Monitor for and respond appropriately to any damage.

• Establish emergency preparedness protocols.

Administrative Operations

• Support planning and execution of commissions, new installations, and temporary public art displays in collaboration with LBRE; assist with the preparation and installation of artwork as needed.

• Document and catalog University-owned works beyond those in the Cantor collection; integrate and maintain data and records in EmbARK, the Cantor’s collection database.

• Partner with schools/units holding public artworks to establish appropriate oversight, clear division of responsibilities, and effective operations across units.

• Work with the Office of General Counsel and Procurement Services to develop agreements for commissions and acquisitions; work directly with procurement to manage suppliers and contracts.

• Develop project plans and budgets; process invoices and financial transactions.

Engagement

• Help maintain online tools to improve public art access and education, including public art features on the Stanford Mobile app and self-guided tours.

• Coordinate and prepare signage for artwork as needed, bringing greater consistency to interpretative materials across campus.

• Serve as a point-person for museum and campus tour guides to improve coordination and visitor experience; ensure guides remain up-to-date on new installations and developments in public art.

• Support student learning and professional development opportunities in conservation, maintenance, and public art.

• Respond to requests for information about works of public art.

Please note that this position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered hybrid, with the expectation to be on campus 3 days per week and as-needed for projects.

In order to be successful, you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in art, museum studies, materials science, or a related field and 3 years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

• Knowledge of best practices related to large-scale artist commissions and/or collections, such as visual arts fabrication/installation, safe working procedures, registration methods, safe object handling and art preservation, packing and shipping, insurance, installation, storage of art, and security measures.

• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and supporting an environment of diversity and inclusion. Ability to work directly with artists, staff, students, faculty, and volunteers from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Maturity and understanding of the artistic process and excellent interpersonal, teamwork, and diplomacy skills.

• Experience creating and maintaining reliable digital records; strong computer skills, including proficiency in spreadsheet and collection management database programs.

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects, as well as to collaborate effectively with others.

• Demonstrated ability to work with vendors, monitor project activities, and ensure compliance with internal/external regulations.

• Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve problems in a timely manner, in alignment with established policies and procedures.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, stand/walk, grasp lightly/fine manipulation (cleaning implements, tools), lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

• Occasionally climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other), reach/work above shoulders, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork, scrub/sweep/mop/mix, operate foot and/or hand controls, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11 to 40 pounds.

• Rarely kneel/crawl.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At the Vice Presidency for the Arts, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. Let us know in your cover letter how your experience makes you a good fit for us. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!

The expected pay range for this position is $69,100-105,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture andunique perksempower you with:

• Freedom to grow . We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.

• A caring culture . We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.

• A healthier you . Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.

• Discovery and fun . Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.

• Enviable resources . Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources atstanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit acontact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time

• Job Code: 4121

• Employee Status: Regular

• Grade: H

• Requisition ID: 103249

• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible