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Head of Publications

The Fowler Museum at UCLA seeks an experienced, creative, and team-oriented Head of Publications who will design and produce museum print publications and who will manage their planning, scheduling, design, prepress production, printing, and distribution. He or she will also oversee the work of freelance designers, when needed.  The incumbent, working closely with the director, managing editor, curators, authors, and communications, and exhibition design staff, is responsible for continuing the tradition of delivering award-winning museum publications. 

The incumbent will also supervise a full time photographer and, with the Director, oversee the work of the Managing Editor.

This position reports to the Director of the Museum and will collaborate with the exhibition design team and other senior staff members on graphic identities that can be adapted for exhibitions, publications, the web, and promotional materials. 

Background:

The Fowler Museum at UCLA explores global arts and cultures with an emphasis on works from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the indigenous Americas—past and present. The Fowler enhances understanding and appreciation of the diverse peoples, cultures, and religions of the world through exhibitions, publications, and public programs, informed by interdisciplinary approaches and the perspectives of the cultures represented. The Fowler is known for its dynamic and innovative traveling exhibition program and its scholarly publications. The Museum’s mission has expanded in recent years to include a strong focus on contemporary artistic production from the regions of the world the Fowler has long represented, and one of the goals is to show how artistic creativity is flourishing in the postcolonial, transnational contexts in which artists find themselves today.

The Fowler Museum was founded in 1963 to consolidate the multicultural collections on campus and to make them accessible to the University community and to the general public. In the course of its first fifty plus years, the Fowler Museum has presented more than 320 exhibitions, published 145 scholarly volumes, and has become one of the premier repositories of world arts. Its art and ethnographic collections now include more than 125,000 objects from six continents, and archaeological holdings exceed 600,000 items, offering a comprehensive resource for exhibitions, scholarship, and teaching central to the Museum’s mandate. The Fowler acknowledges the significance of a diverse range of art forms: sculpture; textiles; and painting; popular, commercial, and ephemeral arts; and performance arts.

Each year, the Fowler develops four to five large-scale and six to eight small-scale temporary exhibitions. Interdisciplinary, humanities-based research is integral to the Fowler’s mission and exhibitions showcase the most up-to-date scholarship on a geographical area, culture(s), and/or artistic genres as well as the work of emerging and mid-career international artists. 

Among its contemporaries nationwide, the Fowler is highly respected in the museum field and recognized for doing projects with ambitious and original content, innovative thematic approaches, research-based interdisciplinary scholarship, and inventive installation design.

The Fowler is a leading museum publisher of single-and multi-authored volumes produced to accompany exhibitions that combine original scholarship with lavish photography. The Museum publishes between one and three books per year. 

Requirements

An MFA in Graphic Design is preferred; a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in graphic design or a related field is required.

Five years of experience designing and producing single- and multi-author publications, and a strong portfolio of museum, fine art, and/or scholarly publications.

Extensive experience with design software and technologies (such as InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop).

Knowledge of graphic design principles and formats: ability to identify, set and articulate design standards; knowledge of typography and effective use of type; working knowledge of paper stocks, inks, varnishes, and their suitability for each project.

Outstanding organizational and communication skills.

Ability to supervise and evaluate the work of others; set priorities, organize time, plan schedules, and anticipate demands; develop and administer budgets; coordinate multiple projects and stringent deadlines; oversee all phases of publications production through delivery of finished materials.

Extensive knowledge of publishing practices, methods, and procedures; design, layout, graphic arts, and printing; correct grammar, writing styles, and sentence construction; editorial and other procedures necessary to meet the highest standards of publishing; trade book sales and distribution procedures.

Ability to work collaboratively with other museum staff including the director, deputy director, curators, educators, and administrative personnel; establish and maintain effective relationships with external contacts including writers, designers, publishers, and vendors.

Additional Information:

UCLA offers full health, welfare, and retirement benefits to its permanent staff members; certain eligibility requirements must be met to qualify for all plans.

Candidates whose professional experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence are especially welcome to apply.

This is a full time exempt position with an anticipated annual salary of between $65,000 and $90,000.

All applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and the names of three professional references through the UCLA Career Opportunity site, accessible from the UCLA Gateway Employment page. Go to https://hr.mycareer.ucla.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=77883 to submit an application. 

The Requisition number for this position is 31610.  The application deadline is December 13, 2019.  Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Applicants who are selected for interviews will also need to provide work samples. 

Continued employment contingent upon completion of satisfactory background investigation.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/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, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy (http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct).

Head of Publications Job Posting Plan

Job posted on UCLA’s site  – November 8

Job Posted on AAM site – November 8

Job Posted on AAUP site – November 8

Application Deadline –  December 8

First Interviews – Week of December 16

The Fowler often has volunteer opportunities for people ages 18 and older who seek greater involvement at the Museum. From assisting with research and conservation to staffing membership tables at events, volunteers play an important role in maintaining the Museum’s tradition of excellence.

If you would like to volunteer, please complete the Volunteering Request Form.

There are currently no open opportunities for UCLA students. Please check back next quarter.