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Collection & Exhibitions Project Manager

Forman Arts Initiative & Forman Family Office 04/14/2025
Philadelphia, PA
Full Time Permanent Manager/Supervisor 4-Year Degree
Art Handling/Logistics
Description

Collection & Exhibitions Project Manager

Forman Arts Initiative (FAI) & Forman Family Office (FFO)

Salary: $80,000 - $95,000 commensurate with experience


About Forman Arts Initiative:

The Forman Arts Initiative (FAI) is a platform that connects and supports artists and cultural organizations both locally and globally, and that makes contemporary art accessible to the public. We bring resources to the arts and we champion art in our communities. We seek to eliminate barriers between art and audiences, and to create welcoming and engaging spaces that invite dialogue and harness creativity.


Our 100,000-square-foot campus on North American Street in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, will feature exhibition spaces, community meeting and event spaces, as well as outdoor gardens, hospitality and artists in residences. FAI has engaged artist Theaster Gates - globally celebrated for his decades-long practice of reclaiming and reimagining abandoned buildings as vessels for cultural programming on the South Side of Chicago - to help reenvision the creative reuse of FAI’s buildings on North American Street. Gates will also support the curation of our 2026 exhibition which will showcase works from The Forman Family Collection. Future exhibitions will also center new and emerging artists across multiple mediums.


The Forman Family Collection is comprised of over 800 works owned by FAI and the Formans and includes works from a range of diverse artists such as Cecily Brown, Lee Krasner, Cindy Sherman, Sam Gilliam, Mark Bradford, Adam Pendleton, Theaster Gates, Alma Thomas, Romare Bearden, Ellsworth Kelly, Gordon Parks, Rashid Johnson, Kerry James Marshall, Donald Judd, Robert Motherwell, and Lorna Simpson, among others. Also represented are several Philadelphia-based artists including Roberto Lugo, Alex da Corte, Jane Irish, David Hartt, and Nazeer Sabree, as well as other ground-breaking artists.


Position Overview:

The Collection & Exhibition Manager will oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of exhibitions at FAI and will manage the Forman Family Collection, administered through the Forman Family Office. This position will also oversee installations in the Forman’s private residence, in their offices, and in other venues showcasing the collection including at the private social club and business hub, Fitler Club. This role ensures that all artwork—both on display and in storage—is cared for professionally and aligns with best practices in collection management. The position requires the ability to collaborate effectively with artists, curators, community members, as well as with other FAI and Forman Family Office staff. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, and passionate about contemporary art and museum-quality exhibition standards


Key Responsibilities:

Collection Management

● Work closely with Jr. Registrar to maintain accurate records of FAI’s art collections,including acquisition, loans, and documentation using a collections managementdatabase.

● Ensure proper care, storage, and conservation of artworks, adhering to industrystandards.

● Develop and implement policies for acquisitions, care, and display in alignment withinstitutional priorities.

● Facilitate research and access to the collection for study, exhibition, and educationalpurposes


Exhibition Planning and Management

● Collaborate with artists, curators, and other stakeholders to design and implementengaging exhibitions that reflect FAI’s values, mission and vision.

● Serve as the main point of contact for visiting curators, artists and lenders regardingexhibition logistics.

● Coordinate all aspects of exhibition planning, including timelines, budgets, shipping, andmarketing.

● Collaborate with curators, designers, community partners and educators to createmeaningful exhibitions and engaging interpretive materials.

● Oversee the installation and deinstallation processes, ensuring adherence to bestpractices and safety standards


Administrative & General Duties

● Develop and manage budgets related to collection care and exhibitions ensuring cost-effective solutions.

● Collaborate with fundraising and communications teams to support art and exhibition-related grant applications and initiatives.

● Supervise interns and volunteers, providing guidance and support in their professional development.

● Assist with public programs, tours, and outreach efforts to engage the community withthe organization’s exhibitions and collection.

● Research and implement industry best practices for exhibition production and collection management.


Qualifications:

● Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Arts Administration or a related field;advanced degree preferred.

● Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in exhibition planning and collection management,preferably within a community-focused arts organization.

● Knowledge of best practices in art handling, conservation, and exhibition design.

● Experience with art contracts (e.g., purchase, sale, consignment, loan)

● Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multipleprojects simultaneously.

● Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with a demonstratedability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.

● Proficiency in collection management software including Art Binder and Microsoft OfficeSuite.

● Commitment to FAI’s mission of supporting artists and cultural organizations inPhiladelphia and expanding the role of art in local communities.


How to apply

Application Process:


Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for

three professional references to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on

a rolling basis until the position is filled.


The Forman Arts Initiative/Forman Family Office is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

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