Head of Exhibitions and Publications

Reports to: Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation

Department: Exhibitions

Classification: Exempt, Full-time

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Mission: The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive.

The DMA will:

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.

Scope of Position

The Head of Exhibitions and Publications is responsible for overseeing a team and leading the planning and execution of assigned exhibitions, permanent collection installations, publications, and special projects. Under the direction of the Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation, this role supports the daily operations of the department and ensures effective coordination across all related activities. The Head of Exhibitions and Publications also provides strategic and operational oversight of the institution's Exhibitions and Publications program, guiding project timelines, budgets, and cross-departmental collaboration to produce high-quality exhibitions as well as print and digital publications.

This position serves as a key liaison with external partners-including lending institutions, contractors, designers, and publishers-as well as with internal departments such as Collections, Curatorial, Finance, Education, Marketing, and Development. The role is central to ensuring that exhibitions and publications are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the highest professional standards.

Essential Functions

• Provide Strategic Leadership and Supervision: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of exhibition planners, fostering a collaborative and accountable work environment. Set clear professional standards and expectations, support staff development, and promote open communication, initiative, and ownership of individual areas of responsibility.
• Oversee Exhibitions and Special Projects: Provide comprehensive project management for assigned exhibitions, gallery rotations, permanent collection installations, and special initiatives. Responsibilities include chairing project meetings, managing timelines, tracking progress, coordinating action items, and ensuring that projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.
• Coordinate Planning and Production Timelines: In partnership with internal stakeholders, establish and maintain production schedules for all phases of assigned exhibitions and installations-including checklist development, floorplans, interpretive content, in-gallery media, and graphic elements. Monitor deliverables and adjust plans as needed to meet deadlines.
• Contract and Agreement Management: Negotiate, draft, and manage exhibition and publication-related contracts and letters of agreement in coordination with the Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation and other relevant departments, ensuring institutional standards and priorities are met.
• Budget Oversight: Develop and manage detailed budgets for assigned exhibitions and publications, including forecasting and reporting. Coordinate with external and internal stakeholders to track expenses, invoice lending institutions, and process payments and reimbursements as necessary.
• Schedule Oversight: Manage the scheduling and execution of construction, installation, and deinstallation activities for exhibitions and permanent collection installations in collaboration with the Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation and cross-departmental partners.
• Documentation and Archiving: Oversee the maintenance of complete and accurate records for each assigned exhibition and publication in collaboration with Exhibition planners. Ensure materials are properly archived and shared according to institutional guidelines, including timely and accurate data entry in TMS.
• Publications Program Oversight: Lead and manage all phases of the museum's Publications program, from concept development through final production and delivery. This includes coordinating with curators, editors, designers, and publishers; setting and tracking production schedules; ensuring timely delivery of content and assets; managing budgets and contracts; reviewing proofs and layouts; and overseeing distribution. Ensure all publications meet institutional standards for quality, accuracy, and accessibility.
• Liaison Responsibilities: Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned exhibitions organized by other institutions, managing the flow of information, approvals, and materials with professionalism and efficiency.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Support the Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation with departmental initiatives and contribute to broader museum priorities, as needed.

Requirements

Education, Experience, and Certifications

• Education :
  Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. Academic background in Art History, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or Studio Art is strongly preferred.
• Experience :
  Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible general museum experience in exhibition planning and administration, overseeing projects from concept through completion.
• Project Management :
  Proven ability to manage multiple complex exhibition and publication projects simultaneously with minimal supervision, including the coordination of timelines, teams, and deliverables.
• Budgeting and Scheduling :
  Demonstrated experience in developing and managing project budgets and schedules effectively.
• Technical Skills :
  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) required. Familiarity with The Museum System (TMS) or similar collections management databases is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to understand color as applied to environmental spaces.
• Basic knowledge of lighting design and understanding of materials and fabrication techniques with sensitivity to conservation concerns required.
• Excellent computer skills with competence in Word, Excel, and Outlook necessary.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and guard confidential information.
• Ability to plan and work within budgets and deadlines.
• Superior organizational skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work with the public and co-workers professionally and tactfully.
• Ability to work effectively with outside vendors and contract designers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with flexibility.
• Ability to solve problems and prioritize needs in a variety of situations where immediate decisions may be necessary.
• Ability to meet short- and long-term deadlines and maintain fiscal oversight.
• Working knowledge of TMS database is a plus.

Our Core Values

• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical.
• Build Inclusivity: We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong.
• Communicate Respectfully: We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives.
• Embrace and Drive Change: We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven.
• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals.
• Maintain Balance: We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge.
• Remain Curious: We pursue personal and professional learning.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, employees, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.

Equity

Society's historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.

Diversity

Many factors-including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences-make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, employees, and collections, reflect this diversity.

Inclusion

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.

EOE

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building culturally diverse employees and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.