Director
Institution: Vanderbilt University Museum of Art, Nashville, TN, United States
Deadline: March 1, 2026
Location: Nashville, TN, United States
Vanderbilt University’s College of Arts & Science seeks a Director for the Vanderbilt University Museum of Art (VUMA). Established in 1927, VUMA holds over 15,000 objects spanning Eastern and Western art from antiquity to contemporary periods, with strengths in East Asian art, early modern European prints, and 20th-century photography. The Director will lead the museum’s staff and student workers, oversee exhibitions, acquisitions, budgets, and fundraising, and foster student engagement through interdisciplinary initiatives, including a potential secondary faculty appointment supporting the Museums & Markets minor.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide visionary leadership, training, and supervision for staff and student workers.
- Oversee budget, expenditures, and pursue external funding opportunities.
- Set priorities for acquisitions, collection research, management, and conservation.
- Develop dynamic exhibitions, displays, literature, and promotional materials.
- Collaborate with faculty, students, alumni, and the broader Nashville community.
- Lead educational programming and outreach initiatives.
- Represent VUMA nationally to increase its visibility.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in art history, museum studies, or related field (M.F.A. or PhD preferred).
- Minimum five years’ professional experience in a museum, gallery, or comparable management role.
- Commitment to inclusive pedagogy and cultural heritage education.
- Strong collaborative skills across faculty, staff, students, and donors.
- Familiarity with CMS, MuseumPlus preferred.
