Target Salary: $100,000.00 – $125,000.00 Annually
Job Category: Administrative and Professional
Full/Part Time: Full-time
Temporary or Regular: Regular
Posting End Date: 12/20/2020
The Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio seeks a Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions to join our team. International in scope and reputation, ‘the Wex’ is among the United States’ premier multidisciplinary, international laboratories for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art. The institution’s mission to support art, artists, and audiences as they develop and advance new art forms and ideas is singularly supported by our location on the campus of The Ohio State University, a leading research university. The Wexner Center for the Arts prioritizes diversity, equity, access, and inclusion; and actively strives to produce the most supportive, open, inclusive, and responsive culture possible.
The Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions will play a key role in the continuing evolution of the center, as the institution responds and adapts to the rapidly shifting spheres of contemporary art and culture. She/he/they will strategize, articulate, and execute a vision for the overall exhibitions program, leading the exhibitions team in tandem with the center’s Director to conceive, research, plan, and produce approximately seven to ten gallery exhibitions per year, spanning all visual arts disciplines, and featuring artists in all phases of their respective careers. The Wex prioritizes the conception, process, and production of new work through research initiatives, residencies, and collaborations with other institutions. In addition to making exhibitions, the Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions will actively seek out and produce new frameworks and contexts through which to engage them. As part of this practice, they will also work to align meaningfully with and motivate other areas of this interdisciplinary center, including departments for Performing Arts, Film/Video, and Learning & Public Practice.
Hours vary and include evenings, weekends, and possible holidays. Travel will be required when it is safe again to do so.
Additional Information for Applicants:
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to WCA-HR@osu.edu by Sunday, December 20th, 2020.
The Ohio State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status. The Ohio State University is committed to establishing a culturally and intellectually diverse environment, encouraging all members of our learning community to reach their full potential. We are responsive to dual-career families and strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. We are an NSF Advance Institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium.
Required Qualifications
For the position of Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions, a master’s degree in Art History or equivalent combination of education and experience is required, with a working knowledge of 20th and 21st century art, and a specialty in contemporary art being essential. A minimum of five to seven years of experience in organizing exhibitions that demonstrate rigorous and original thinking, explore emerging artists and/or culture, and/or unearth/reframe historical figures or practices is required. Candidates should possess both excellent research and communication skills, including public speaking, writing, and a strong publication record; also significant will be a strong network of contacts in the field, including artists, fellow curators, collectors, patrons, and academic colleagues.
