Curatorial Assistant and Exhibition Programs Manager at ICA at VCU

Organisation: Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
Location: Richmond, Virginia, US
Salary: $55,000–$65,000 annually
Contract: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Working arrangement: Hybrid
Application deadline: 27 October 2026

The Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking a Curatorial Assistant and Exhibition Programs Manager to support the research, development and realisation of exhibitions, publications, curatorial initiatives and artistic programmes.

Acting as a central bridge between artists and the institution during the conceptual and developmental phases of projects, this role guides artistic initiatives from early ideation through finalised curatorial content and programme execution, ensuring deliverables to ICA’s Project Manager.

Working closely with curators, artists, designers and collaborators, the Curatorial Assistant and Exhibition Programs Manager oversees curatorial research, exhibition development, interpretive materials, artist publications and artist-facing coordination.

The position focuses on the intellectual, creative and organisational development of artistic initiatives, while overseeing curatorial programmes from concept through execution.

Key responsibilities

Curatorial research and exhibition development

• Conduct research related to exhibitions, artists, commissions, publications and institutional initiatives.
• Assist curators and artists in developing exhibition concepts, thematic frameworks and curatorial narratives.
• Support the refinement and completion of exhibition checklists.
• Draft, edit and oversee interpretive materials, including wall texts, brochures, web content, exhibition guides and publications.
• Coordinate image acquisition, editorial workflows, rights management and publication materials.
• Assist in developing artist publications and exhibition-related printed materials.

Artist relations and curatorial coordination

• Serve as a primary liaison between artists and the institution during exhibition and curatorial project development.
• Guide projects from early ideation through finalised curatorial content.
• Coordinate planning meetings, studio visits, site visits and project development sessions.
• Organise artist travel, itineraries, hospitality and research-related logistics.
• Maintain project documentation, schedules and curatorial records.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager to transition approved project content into production and implementation.

Exhibition programmes

• Lead the development, planning, coordination and execution of exhibition programmes.
• Collaborate with artists, curators, speakers, performers and institutional partners on public-facing initiatives.
• Develop programme timelines, organisational workflows and planning structures.
• Coordinate programme logistics, including travel, schedules, hospitality and internal communications.
• Work with communications, exhibitions, AV, visitor engagement and operations teams.
• Support interdisciplinary programming, including screenings, lectures, performances, symposia and public conversations.

Administrative coordination

• Maintain curatorial records, calendars, schedules and project documentation.
• Assist with budget tracking, contracts, invoices and administrative coordination.
• Support grant-related research, reporting and institutional planning.
• Ensure consistent communication across artists, curators, institutional partners and internal departments.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, Arts Administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training.
• Minimum 2–4 years of experience in a museum, gallery, nonprofit arts organisation or related cultural institution.
• Strong research, writing, editorial and organisational abilities.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating exhibitions, publications, artist projects or curatorial programmes.
• Excellent communication and project coordination skills.
• Knowledge of contemporary art and curatorial practice.
• Ability or commitment to foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Preferred qualification: Master’s degree.

Salary and benefits

The position offers an annual salary of $55,000–$65,000, with a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week and a hybrid working arrangement.

As a full-time university staff member, the successful candidate will be eligible for VCU’s benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Paid annual and holiday leave
• Tuition benefits
• Retirement planning and savings options
• Tax-deferred annuity and cash match programmes
• Employee discounts and well-being resources
• Opportunities for career development and advancement

About ICA at VCU

Designed by Steven Holl Architects and located at the corner of Broad and Belvidere in Richmond, Virginia, the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU presents the art of our time and provides an open forum for dialogue and collaboration across the region and throughout the world.

With free admission, the ICA is a major resource for VCU, Richmond and beyond.