Assistant Curator

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The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all EOE and ADA requirements. We are committed to employing a diverse workforce, and we have a strong organizational commitment to racial equity. People of color, gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and low-income people are encouraged to apply. Please let us know if we can help make the application or hiring process more accessible for you.

A nationally acclaimed visual and performing arts complex in downtown Sheboygan, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center is devoted to innovative explorations in contemporary art. Central to its mission is promoting an understanding and appreciation of the work of self-taught and contemporary artists through original exhibitions, commissioned works of art, performing arts programming, community arts initiatives, and publications. The Arts Center’s collections focus primarily on works by environment builders, self-taught and folk artists, and works created in the Arts/Industry residency program.

The 100,000-square-foot Arts Center comprises ten galleries, a flexible performance space, studio-classrooms, meeting spaces, SHOP, and CAFE. The Arts Center also has an adjunct site: ARTspace, an exhibition space and shop in The Shops at Woodlake in Kohler Village. In 2021, the Arts Center will open the Art Preserve, a new building dedicated to the display and study of JMKAC’s collection of artist-built environments.

DESCRIPTION
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center seeks a dynamic, creative, knowledgeable, highly organized, and self-starting individual to advance its mission of generating a creative exchange between artists and the public.

Under the direction of the Senior Curator, the Assistant Curator:
• Assists with the research, development, and implementation of a vibrant, innovative and balanced exhibition schedule
• Provides meaningful support to artists and assists with commissioning new work
• Takes part in the development and implementation of interdisciplinary programs, projects and events-both in-person and virtual-that employ innovative strategies to amplify and unpack the ideas and themes found in the galleries
• Maintains and strengthens the Arts Center’s regional, national and international professional networks
• Collaborates with the Arts Center’s Public Programs staff to ideate and implement innovative, public-facing programs and community-based exhibitions

Full-time exempt and non-exempt employees qualify for the following benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Short- and long-term disability income
• Group accident and critical illness insurance
• Paid time off-vacation/sick and holiday
• Employee Assistance Program
• Family membership to the Arts Center
• Discount for CAFE, SHOP and ARTspace purchases, ticketed events, classes, pre-school and other charged offerings

• Forges cross-departmental synergy by collaboratively developing convergent programming that creates links between programs and departments
• Works closely with the Marketing team to communicate, promote, and publicize the Arts Center’s exhibitions and related programs
• Assists the Development team with identifying grant opportunities for exhibitions and programs, including grant writing and reporting
• Writes interpretive materials for exhibitions that are engaging and accessible to a variety of audiences
• Plans and implements conferences, symposia and think-tanks
• Other duties as assigned

POSITION REQUIREMENTS
• Master’s Degree in art history or a closely aligned field and a minimum of two years’ curatorial experience
• Experience organizing exhibitions, projects and programs that are artist-centric; conceptually rigorous yet accessible to broad audiences; and integrate under-represented art forms into national art discussions
• Broad and interdisciplinary understanding of contemporary art, and engaged in conversations that expand the boundaries of art making
• Demonstrated experience in public programming and convening
• Solid experience writing about and interpreting art in accessible ways for a variety of audiences
• Excellent management, research, organizational, and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail; the ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; and excellent time-management and problem-solving skills
• The ability and willingness to be flexible and supportive in a changing work environment

Selected candidates will be asked to provide a sample of their arts-based writing for consideration.