Exhibit Designer

One of the largest, oldest, and most-visited historical societies in the country, the Missouri Historical Society is in the midst of a transformative decade. We believe public history has the power to build stronger communities, and world-class exhibits are essential parts of that work. The Missouri Historical Society operates three locations: the Missouri History Museum, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, and the Library and Research Center. In the years ahead, we will expand our efforts to share more history with more people than we ever have before. Those efforts include a new 12,000 square foot St. Louis history gallery set to open in 2028 and a dynamic schedule of temporary exhibits across multiple galleries at the Missouri History Museum and Soldiers Memorial. 

A creative and accessible visitor experience is central to the mission of MHS, and the Exhibit Designer plays a key role in this mission. The Exhibit Designer will design and co-lead projects as part of a team responsible for all phases associated with the design and development of exhibitions. The Designer is responsible for creating engaging experiences for all visitors by sharing stories told through artifacts, graphics, interactives, and media. The designer is expected to be skilled in all areas of exhibit design including the development of sketches, 3D models, and documentation drawings to communicate and execute all phases of design. The Exhibits Designer is expected to closely collaborate with all members of the Exhibitions Department, as well as public historians, curators, collections team members, and all other MHS staff as necessary. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Perform all design related tasks including design research, conceptualization, rendering, drafting and construction specifications
• Create all project design documents, bid materials, and contracts
• Ensure quality of design that engages diverse audiences and ensures a fresh, unique approach by taking advantage of participatory and interactive interpretive strategies as well as new technologies as appropriate
• Co-lead exhibit teams alongside project content lead
• Ensure the integration of design with all project goals including interpretation and education, conservation, accessibility, and sustainability
• Work with collections staff to determine display requirements for artifacts
• Work with fabricators, preparators, and mount makers to determine methods for building and installing exhibits
• Perform all project management duties associated with assigned projects as necessary, including:
  • Develop and manage project budget 
  • Develop and manage project calendar
  • Coordinate project-related small and large team meetings
  • Coordinate project file sharing and communication with internal and external collaborators
• Contract and manage the work of graphic design, fabrication, construction, and other contractors associated with exhibits
• Help to lead the installation of exhibits alongside preparator team leadership
• Lead the design of banner exhibits and small-scale offsite exhibits with MHS community partners
• Support ongoing artifact rotations in permanent galleries across MHM and Soldiers Memorial through exhibit design and coordination with collections team members, content leads, and contract graphic designers
• Support the overall work of the Exhibits Department by participating in project and process reviews to advance institutional methods and procedures
• All other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Exhibition Design, Interior Design, Architecture, or an experience design-related field, Master’s degree preferred 
• Three or more years of experience in exhibition design, preferably in a history museum setting
• Must be able to prepare sketches, drawings, specifications, and models for planning purposes, fabrication, and presentations in Vectorworks
• Experience project managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, preferably museum exhibitions

Skills and Experience: 

• Experience in creating accessible, thought-provoking, and engaging history exhibitions for visitors of all ages and interests
• Experience working in Vectorworks, Adobe Creative Cloud (CC), and Microsoft Office, particularly on a Mac system
• Ability to prepare sketches, drawings, specifications, and models for planning purposes, fabrication, and presentations through Vectorworks
• Knowledge of and experience with exhibition graphic design, fabrication, construction, and all other steps related to exhibition production
• Familiarity with best practices for display of artifacts of historical significance including conservation requirements, lighting, mount-making, security, etc.
• Experience and interest in advancing accessibility of exhibit designs and knowledge of accessibility best practices in exhibitions
• Experience and interest in advancing sustainability of exhibit designs
• Experience project managing complex exhibition projects with multiple stakeholders, leading or co-leading project teams, and communicating project needs and deliverables with other museum departments
• Experience developing and managing exhibition budgets and project calendars
• Experience identifying and building relationships with local exhibit vendors, as well as drafting, executing, and managing RFPs and contracts with vendors
• Excellent organizational, administrative, communication and leadership skills
• Excellent time management skills and an ability to juggle many simultaneous tasks across multiple projects in different phases
• Ability to adapt or learn new skills through creative problem solving to accomplish complex projects

Disclaimer

This job description is designed to provide a general overview of the requirements of the job and does not entail a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that will be required. The Missouri Historical Society reserves the right to add to, remove or modify this job description at any time. This includes the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities as needed. The Missouri Historical Society also reserves the right to release or delete this position at any time.