Director of Collection at Dia Art Foundation

Full Time, based in Beacon, NY
Salary Range: $145,000–167,000
Application deadline: Open until filled

About Dia Art Foundation

Dia Art Foundation was established in 1974 for the purpose of collecting, commissioning, and presenting major works of art made in the 1960s onward. Today it consists of nine permanent sites across the United States and Germany, as well as three changing exhibition spaces in New York State: Dia Chelsea in the city, Dia Beacon in the Hudson Valley, and Dia Bridgehampton on Long Island. Dia is taken from the Greek word for “through” and conveys the foundation’s role as a facilitator of meaningful artistic experiences that can be encountered in single and repeated visits.

The starting salary for this position is $145,000 per year. Consideration of a starting salary above $145,000 per year, but not to exceed $167,000 per year, will be reviewed at time of offer based on level of experience and qualifications for the role.

Position Summary

Based in Dia Beacon and reporting to the Deputy Director of Program, the Director of Collection is a key leader and collaborator for the Curatorial and Exhibitions departments. This role is responsible for the strategic oversight of all matters related to Dia’s Beacon-based collection and archive as well as the oversight of all exhibition implementation and installations at Dia Beacon. The position acts as the direct supervisor to the Director of Registration and Collection Management, Director of Exhibitions, and Archivist. The role also supervises and is supported by the Curatorial Associate and collaborates with Dia’s curators on the day-to-day administration of the Curatorial department.

With guidance from the Deputy Director of Program, the Director of Collection is responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and delivering long-term presentations of Dia’s collection, both internally at Dia and externally with partnering institutions and venues. This position collaborates on the development of the collection strategy and new curatorial thinking, helping to advance Dia’s mission, as well as works closely with the Director of Registration and Collection Management and the Director of Exhibitions, contributing oversight for the display, growth, care, research, and storage of Dia’s collection. Further, the Director of Collection oversees the direction, department goals, and projects for Dia’s archive and is the primary on-site liaison at Dia Beacon for individual curators responsible for collection displays and projects at the location.

As a member of the Program team, this role works closely with the Learning and Engagement and the Publications departments and is part of the Program Heads group that fosters cross-departmental collaboration. This position ensures thorough and appropriate communication and information-sharing with the Communications, Development, Marketing, and Visitor Experience departments and, for Development in particular, works closely on tours and introductions of Dia’s collection to visiting donors and prospects.

The Director of Collection conceives and implements public programs, special projects, and internal initiatives, mainly, but not limited to, Dia’s collection. The Director of Collection is the curatorial representative at Dia Beacon and the primary curatorial liaison for its site-specific artworks.

Please visit the link below for full job posting details and application instructions.

 

 

Image credit: Don Stahl