Curator of Student Exhibitions and Programs

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts

The Opportunity:

The highly ranked Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts) seeks a dynamic curator/mentor to conceptualize a unique, student-centered approach to curating student exhibitions and programs in the VCUarts Depot Gallery. A clearly articulated, innovative vision for The Depot Gallery is expected to appeal to students in all disciplines within VCUarts, compel them to think deeply and critically about what they create and how they present their work, support their professional development, and celebrate their highly inventive creative energy.

VCUarts (arts.vcu.edu) is comprised of over 3,000 students and 16 nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts. U.S. News & World Report ranks VCUarts as having the top public university art and design graduate programs in the nation. VCUarts is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in Richmond’s historic Fan District. The new VCU Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA), designed by award-winning architect Steven Holl, is poised to open in 2017 and will be dedicated to flexible and responsive exhibitions and performances that examine art, design, and performance from multiple interdisciplinary perspectives (ica.vcu.edu). VCUarts is within walking distance to the Richmond Arts District and the nationally-recognized Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is one mile from campus.

The school’s newest facility, The Depot Building, which includes the main building at 814 W. Broad Street and the annex behind it, offers 6,000 sq. ft. of facilities for Dance, Kinetic Imaging, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Focused on increasing interdisciplinary opportunities, The Depot, is a programmatic and resource-rich facility focused on the exploration of new disciplines through collaboration, discovery, exploration, creativity, originality, inventiveness, and talent in order to build and foster a network that connects students to the faculty, alumni, and community. The building features a sizable gallery space that connects the many disciplines represented in the School and serves as the exhibition facility for a wide variety of work, including the School’s undergraduate and MFA Thesis shows, emerging regional artists, national and international exhibitions, community programs, and faculty work. In addition, the site also houses a sound stage, motion capture, and other state-of-the-art features.

Major Responsibilities:

• Enact a pedagogically innovative approach to articulate a mission for the VCUarts Depot Gallery;

• Based on a newly articulated mission, schedule a relevant balance of exhibitions and programs that feature student artworks, performances, curatorial projects, and other student endeavors;

• Facilitate all aspects of exhibitions and program requirements including insurance coverage, transportation of art works, documentation of art works, announcements and press releases;

• Manage an annual budget and develop the budget for each show and program.

• Develop and teach one undergraduate course, offered at least once a year, which focuses on history and theory of curating exhibitions while also guiding students through the conceptual development and practical considerations of curating exhibitions;

• Recruit, hire, train and supervise student gallery attendants;

• Mentor student interns;

• Coordinate the annual juried undergraduate exhibition: contract juror, coordinate submissions and jury process, direct exhibit installation, oversee marketing and promotion;

• Schedule, plan and direct the installation of MFA exhibitions, some of which may be presented in off-campus venues;

• Maintain appropriate mailing, email, Facebook and other media contact lists;

• Supervise part-time student employees;

• Maintain files accurately, in paper and in software programs;

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

RequirementsPersonal Qualification and Qualities:

The Curator of Student Exhibitions and Programs must have:

• Master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Studio Art or an equivalent related degree; PhD preferred;

• Three years of full-time curatorial experience in an art gallery, center or museum; experience in a university gallery or museum preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism to interact with a wide range of individuals within the School of the Arts, university and community;

• Demonstrated competence in creating a trusting and inclusive culture, experience recruiting, hiring, and retaining under-represented faculty and staff, and leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, among all students, faculty and staff, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU;

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, as well as demonstrated presentation skills;

• Knowledge of scholarly discourse in curatorial/museum studies;

• Strong project management skills and the demonstrated ability to build, develop, and energize a team;

• Ability to work well under pressure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously;

• Ability to effectively utilize a computer and associated software;

• Precise attention to detail and the ability to understand and adhere to the policies and procedures of the university;

• Demonstrated ability to build effective long-term relationships both internally and externally and the ability to clearly articulate and advocate the goals of VCUarts.