Associate Curator

Special Instructions to Applicants: Attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section. Use PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

Position Summary

The Associate Curator develops, organizes, and executes visual art exhibitions at the Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University. Responsibilities include curating temporary public art installations for the Rice public art program and helping to commission and acquire public artworks for the permanent collection. The role supports the Moody’s mission of fostering interdisciplinary conversation through the arts, engaging diverse academic disciplines, and appealing to different audiences. The Associate Curator will manage exhibitions, coordinate traveling shows, and work on permanent and temporary installations on the Rice campus.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate innovative exhibitions.
• Work with the Executive Director to identify artists and artworks for the Rice Public Art Collection.
• Ensure professional care and handling of artwork in accordance with museum standards.
• Develop and analyze exhibition budgets.
• Execute public programs complementing the exhibitions.
• Communicate with artists and other stakeholders.
• Write wall texts, labels, and brochure texts for exhibitions.
• Engage with students and faculty to promote interdisciplinary conversations through the arts.
• Supervise a student curatorial intern.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in art history or related field.
• 4 years of curatorial experience in a university or non-profit arts institution.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Excellent research, written, and verbal communication skills.

Preferences

• Experience with diverse art exhibitions.
• Knowledge of museum-quality exhibition practices.

Essential Functions

• Generate and coordinate innovative exhibitions.
• Work with the Executive Director on identifying artists and artworks.
• Communicate effectively with all project stakeholders.
• Ensure professional care and handling of artwork.
• Develop and manage exhibition budgets.
• Generate and execute public programs.
• Write and manage exhibition-related texts and labels.
• Create opportunities for artist engagement with students.

Additional Functions

• Collaborate with Rice faculty on exhibition projects.
• Provide information for public communications.
• Participate in press interviews.
• Identify and communicate with prospective funders.
• Assist in writing grant proposals.
• Represent the Moody at art openings, conferences, and fairs.

Work Arrangement: This position is exclusively on-site.

Salary Range: $74,000 – $80,000. Full-time, benefits eligible.