Collections Care Program Manager

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Cambridge Arts Council is an agency that funds, promotes, and presents high-quality, community-based arts programming for the benefit of artists, residents, and visitors to Cambridge, MA. Established in 1974, Cambridge Arts is one of the oldest and most dynamic local arts agencies in the country. Cambridge arts operates with funding from the local, state, and federal government and support from private foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors. The agency delivers on its mission by fulfilling three primary roles:

Presenter: Stages events like the Cambridge Arts River Festival, Open Studios, Porchfest, and exhibitions in Gallery 344 featuring music, dance, theater, and visual art with robust community participation.

Funder: Awards financial grants annually to support community-based projects across artistic disciplines

Connector: Facilitates partnership among artists, presenters, donors, and audiences fostering innovative collaborations such as Cambridge Arts Creative Marketplace and professional artist development and teaching initiatives.

ABOUT THE PUBLIC ART PROGRAM

Cambridge's Public Art/Percent-for-Art Program was established through municipal ordinance and has operated since 1979 making it one of the longest-running municipal public art programs in the country. The program integrates artists and public art into City capital projects and maintains a collection of more than 200 artworks representing over 500 individual objects. The collection belongs to the public and artworks are located in schools, parks, libraries, fire stations, and other publicly owned spaces throughout the city. The program is led by the Director of Public Art and Exhibitions and includes support and partnership with a Program Director for Art Conservation, Program Manager for Public Art, and external professionals and technicians needed to care for the development and care of artworks commissioned through the program. Together, the team manages artist selection processes, supports the Cambridge Public Art Commission, and ensures the long-term conservation, documentation, and care of the municipal public art collection.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Collections Care Program Manager is a part-time, analyst-focused position responsible for managing, analyzing, and improving the data systems that support the care of the municipal public art collection of 200 artworks. The Collections Care Program Manager plays an important role in the public art team building and caring for the artwork collection. The role centers on data management, systems development, reporting, mapping, and process improvement related to the public art collection, including conservation, maintenance, documentation, and record keeping. While the position includes hands-on exposure to collections care activities, the primary function is to ensure that conservation and maintenance work is well-documented, data-driven, strategically planned, and publicly accessible. Candidates must demonstrate strong analytical and technological skill and a willingness to learn new data systems.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Public Art Data & Analysis

Manage and maintain digital records for the public art collection using Cartegraph, Smartsheet, ArcGIS Online, and other data management tools, including condition data, maintenance history, site information, and asset documentation.

• Lead data projects that support accurate reporting, analysis, and long-term planning for future public art projects and for conservation and maintenance efforts
• Develop, refine, and document workflows, templates, and standards for data entry, tracking, and quality control
• Create dashboards, summaries, and reports to support internal decision-making, budgeting, and strategic planning
• Maintain, update, and create interactive public art maps
• Support transparency and public engagement by improving how collection data is organized, visualized, and shared
• Optimize the Conservation and Maintenance Program (CAMP) through data-driven scheduling strategies and performance tracking
• Train staff and season technicians on data systems, documentation standards, and digital tools
• Collaborate on interdepartmental data projects and planning efforts with other city departments as needed

Collections & Conservation Support

• Support the Program Director for Art Conservation with documentation related to condition assessments, maintenance activities, and treatment planning
• Assist with managing conservation supply inventory and tracking data to support budgeting and procurement
• coordinate documentation for the annual summer CAMP program, including technician schedules, outputs, and reporting
• Participate in occasional site visits to support data collection and documentation
• Prepare materials, summaries, and visualization for Cambridge Public Art Commission meetings and for public meetings and presentations
• Collaborate closely with staff to ensure collection records are accurate and aligned across systems
• Perform additional departmental or inter-departmental duties as required

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in data analysis, urban planning, public administration, arts administration, information systms, museum studies/registrar, or a related field
• 2-4 years of experience in an analyst, data management, project coordination, or systems-focused role
• Demonstrated experience using data to support planning, reporting, or operational decision-making
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with excellent attention to detail
• Ability to independently manage assigned work with minimal supervision
• Technological fluency, including experience with Microsoft Office and comparable data or project management software
• Experience with tools such as MS Excel, GIS platforms, dashboards, digital design software, content management systems and ability to learn new systems quickly
• Experience translating technical information for non-technical audiences
• Interest in public art, civic systems, and data transparency
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusive, public-facing information
• Valid driver's license

SCHEDULE

• 19-Hours per week
• Flexible schedule that may change seasonally due to program needs
• Hours can be distributed in a way that best fits the employee needs except for required meetings and on-site artwork conservation tasks
• When feasible, some work can be performed remotely in accordance with the city's Remote Work Policy and as approved by supervisor

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This role is primarily desk-based with occasional field work. The position requires:

• Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer for extended periods
• Sufficient mobility to travel between office and sites within the city where public artworks are located using various transportation modes as able
• Additional tasks may include climbing stairs, documentation during site visits, and helping install and de-install artworks as needed
• Ability to lift and transport equipment and supplies weighing up to 25lbs
• Occasional outdoor site visits in various weather conditions to document artworks and coordinate with technical conservation teams
• Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to performer essential job functions

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily indoors in a standard office environment with fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Moderate noise level that can elevate with phone calls and walk-in members of the public. Busy office work environment characterized by multiple work demands from departmentn staff and substantial e-mail volume. Frequent outdoor site visits required to document artworks and coordinate conservation activities. When feasible, some work can be performed remotely in accordance with the city's Remote Work Policy and as approved by supervisor.

BENEFITS SUMMARY

• Sick Leave eligible. Otherwise, this is not a benefited position.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter