Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Director of Collections and Exhibitions

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Status: Salary, Exempt

Updated: June 18, 2026

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA), located in Little Rock, Arkansas, seeks a Director of Collections and Exhibitions to lead the stewardship, care, and strategic development of the Museum’s permanent collection and exhibitions program.

In 2023, the Museum reopened following a four-year renovation that expanded the building and grounds. Designed by the renowned architecture firm, Studio Gang, the facility includes landscaped grounds, by the firm SCAPE, and secures the AMFA’s position as one of the top cultural institutions in the region. The building includes state-of-the-art galleries, an Art School, restaurant, Museum Store, theater, lecture hall, and other programming and event spaces.

AMFA is an active partner in the educational, economic, and cultural life of a diverse community, inviting discovery, creativity and learning through engagement with the visual and performing arts. The collection encompasses approximately 12,000 works, including works on paper, contemporary craft, and regional, national, and international paintings and sculpture that offer meaningful artistic exposure for statewide audiences. This role is central to advancing AMFA’s commitment to excellence in collections care and to delivering compelling, dynamic exhibitions that elevate the visitor experience and reflect the Museum’s mission.

Little Rock offers an exceptional quality of life for arts professionals seeking both impact and balance. As a growing cultural center in the South, the city combines a vibrant and expanding arts scene with the accessibility, affordability, and community feel of a smaller city. Residents enjoy a thriving downtown, beautiful parks and trails along the Arkansas River, and a strong network of cultural institutions, restaurants, and local businesses. With its central location, welcoming community, and increasing investment in the arts, Little Rock provides a unique opportunity to build a meaningful career while enjoying a high quality of life.

Job Summary: The Director of Collections and Exhibitions reports to the CEO and is a senior leadership role responsible for the stewardship, care, and strategic development of the museum’s permanent collection and exhibitions program. This position oversees the Collections Department—including preparators, the Registrar, and the Exhibition Designer—and ensures that all collections and exhibition activities meet the highest professional, ethical, and legal standards.

The Director serves as the primary departmental strategist and project manager, leads major installation initiatives, manages budgets, and represents the museum to donors, lenders, artists, and key stakeholders. While the Registrar manages day-to-day documentation and logistics, the Director provides oversight, direction, and high-level decision-making, and may act as registrar for select exhibitions as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Directly supervise the Collections Department, including staff interns, and volunteers, providing vision, mentorship, and clear direction.
• Contribute to museum-wide strategic planning and long-term collections and exhibitions initiatives.
• Forecast departmental needs, develop policies and procedures, and ensure alignment with institutional goals.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with lending institutions and donors, artists, and community partners, communicating with clarity, tact, and deep museum expertise.
• Represent the museum with professionalism and authority in all collections and exhibition-related communications.
• Provide expert guidance and clear communication to inspire confidence and uphold the museum’s reputation for excellence.

Collections Stewardship and Oversight

• Oversee all aspects of collections care, including preventive conservation, storage, handling, environmental monitoring, and risk management.
• Ensure compliance with museum best practices, legal requirements, and ethical standards (AAM, AAMD, ICOM).
• Supervise and support the Registrar in maintaining accurate records, coordinating loans, new acquisitions and deaccessions, managing insurance, and ensuring proper documentation.
• Approve and guide conservation priorities, treatment proposals, and long-term preservation strategies.

Exhibitions Management

• Provide leadership for the planning, design, and execution of exhibitions, from concept through deinstallation.
• Manage major installation projects, coordinating cross-departmentally to ensure safe, efficient, and timely execution.
• Collaborate closely with the Curators, Exhibition Designer, and Preparators to uphold artistic intent, visitor experience, and safety standards.
• Serve as registrar for select exhibitions, including condition reporting, shipping coordination, and lender communication.

Budgeting and Administration

• Develop, manage, and track departmental and project-specific budgets.
• Oversee procurement, contracts, and vendor relationships.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and documentation for leadership, funders, and the board.
• Ensure confidentiality of sensitive information, including donor records, insurance documents, and artwork valuations.

Requirements

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Mastery of museum industry terminology, standards, and best practices.
• Advanced experience with museum collections management databases, TMS Collections preferred.
• Strong organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks under strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including professional correspondence and stakeholder engagement.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to preserve confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Basic knowledge of tools, art handling, and exhibition installation methods.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively, lead teams, and foster a positive, creative, and solutions-oriented work environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work diplomatically with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or related field.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible museum experience, including supervisory and project management roles

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods (up to five hours) during administrative work and events.
• Frequent walking throughout museum and event spaces, including occasional uneven surfaces and stair use.
• Ability to lift and carry materials up to 25–30 pounds (more with assistance).
• Regular use of hands for handling materials, equipment, and standard office tools, including computers.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both quiet and high-noise environments.
• Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness to support event quality, safety, and operations.
• Sufficient mobility, stamina, and flexibility to work varied schedules, including evenings and weekends.
• Work is primarily indoors, with occasional outdoor exposure and moderate noise levels.