Associate Director for Exhibitions

Published on 13 August 2024

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Associate Director for Exhibitions reports to the Director of the The J. Paul Getty Museum (“Museum”) and is a member of the Museum’s Senior Management Team. They are responsible for the Museum’s Departments of Exhibitions, Registration, Design, and Preparations. In addition to all other museum departments, they also collaborate closely with colleagues across the Getty Trust at both Museum sites, including those in Development, Communications, Publications, Facilities, Visitor Services, and Security.

The Associate Director for Exhibitions is a strategic and collaborative leader who both develops and realizes the Museum’s renowned and critically acclaimed program of temporary exhibitions, working closely with the Museum’s Director and Associate Director for Collections. This involves close collaboration with Museum staff in the areas of curatorial, conservation, design, education, interpretive content, preparation, registration, publications, communications, and administration. Across the two sites of the Getty Center and the Getty Villa, the Museum presents approximately 25 temporary exhibitions annually. This position is also responsible for continuing to build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of national and international exhibition partners with whom the Getty collaborates.

The Associate Director for Exhibitions fosters partnership and transparency among all exhibition team members to ensure that excellence and creativity in scholarship, design, display, and interpretation of exhibitions are supported through disciplined budget development, oversight, and systematic planning. This position also oversees permanent collection gallery reinstallations and improvement projects at the Museum, including working alongside the department of Facilities for the upcoming program of upgrading the air handling units in the galleries at Getty Center and associated collection display improvements, and the planned refurbishment of the sculpture and decorative art galleries. Further, the Exhibition Division staff supports the exhibition program (typically two shows a year) at the Getty Research Institute, as well as Getty-wide projects, as needed.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

The Program: Working with the Director of the Museum and Associate Director for Collections, the Associate Director for Exhibitions:

• Organizes a dynamic and varied series of temporary exhibitions based on innovative research with broad public appeal that enhances and complements the Museum’s permanent collection and strives for excellence in all aspects.
• Leverages strategic partnerships with museums, lenders, and cultural ministries to develop exhibition projects of the highest caliber.
• Fosters innovation and experimentation in developing and enhancing interpretive strategies and new technologies, encouraging open-mindedness amongst colleagues.
• Ensures that the Getty’s exhibitions program is varied and diverse in subject matter and approach, with opportunities both to synthesize existing scholarship and to take risks with novel and innovative initiatives.
• Leads the development of an exhibitions program that is accessible to all on-site audiences, in line with the Getty’s Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion (DEAI) Plan and includes the ongoing integration of bilingual (Spanish and English) interpretation in all exhibitions and collection galleries.
• In cooperation with Getty’s Head of Sustainability, leads the development of more sustainable working practices within the Exhibitions Division thereby reducing the environmental impact of exhibitions and permanent collection installations. This includes gathering climate impact data and reporting on outcomes, working with the Head of Sustainability and other key stakeholders.
• Works collaboratively with Museum and other Getty staff, Council members, and Getty Trustees, as well as external resources and donors, in the implementation of this mission.
• Provides financial oversight of the exhibitions program, including the establishment of detailed project budgets and accurate reporting and forecasting.

Visiting Exhibitions: Establish and realize an ambitious, scholarly, and compelling schedule of major international loan exhibitions at both the Getty Center and the Getty Villa; identify and secure partners/venues/other external collaborators; and be a strategic partner with curators, the Associate Director for Collections, and the Director of the Museum in key loan negotiations. Cultivate and oversee outside consultants, including guest curators, who can add depth and additional resources to the program. Continue to foster the Getty’s reputation as a sought-after partner.  Support the long-term efforts for The Classical World in Context, an ambitious, multi-year series of exhibitions and long-term loans. Forthcoming exhibitions under this scheme are Ancient Thrace (2024), Anatolia (2026), and the Levant (2028).

Rotating Collections Displays: Highlight the strengths of the collections of works on paper – illuminated manuscripts, drawings, and photographs – and other holdings not on permanent view through special exhibitions and displays. Seize opportunities to present new acquisitions in upcoming exhibitions. As appropriate, explore opportunities for touring collection-based shows to multiple venues, as appropriate, with sufficient lead time. Explore lively and varied approaches to presentation and interpretation. Continue to originate and seek out loan exhibitions related to the rotating collections, while maintaining the priority of presenting the Museum’s own permanent collection.

Permanent Collection Reinstallations and Long-Term Loans: Manage all major collection reinstallations and other special in-gallery projects. These currently include a major upgrade of the air handling units in the Getty Center galleries and associated gallery improvements, as well as the refurbishment of the sculpture and decorative art galleries over the next 5-years. Work with other Museum staff in seeking out opportunities to present important loans to the collection, frequently emanating from conservation partnerships with international museums, either in the permanent collection galleries or in dedicated exhibition spaces.

Requirements and Qualifications: 

The Associate Director for Exhibitions will be a leader in the museum field with proven experience in developing and managing a world class exhibitions program. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for art; a broad awareness of exhibition programming across major international museums and high level contacts throughout those institutions; keen financial acumen; excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills; sound judgment, pragmatism, and a strong sense of integrity and personal responsibility; the ability to address complex issues and disagreements, resolve conflicts, and remain calm in high pressure situations; a commitment to intellectual inquiry and visitor engagement; the ability to recruit, manage, and develop staff; prior experience working with a board and/or multiple stakeholders; and a strong commitment to quality and excellence.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities of this position
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree
• A broad network of national and international peers and other museum colleagues
• Deep knowledge of exhibition concepts, practices, policies, and procedures
• Extensive experience with international projects and partners
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in museums and professional standards, including the impact of diversity and accessibility on museum exhibitions and staffing
• Strong financial acumen and experience with detailed budget creation, oversight, and reporting
• A proven track record as an excellent team leader and facilitator, authoritative and decisive yet open-minded and encouraging of new ideas and voices
• The ability to travel as the demands of the position and the Getty’s objectives require

ABOUT THE GETTY MUSEUM

The J. Paul Getty Museum is one of the world’s leading art museums, with collections in all principal media of European art from antiquity to 1900. The Museum is located on two sites in Los Angeles, USA: the Getty Villa, which presents the Museum’s collection of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities; and the Getty Center, which presents the Museum’s collection of European art from medieval times to 1900. Admission is free at both venues, which together welcome approximately two million visitors a year from all over the world.

The Getty Museum is a program of the J Paul Getty Trust, which also includes the Getty Research Institute, the Getty Conservation Institute, and the Getty Foundation, all located at the Getty Center.

To learn more about the Getty, visit the website.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $185,000 to $215,000 with a generous benefits package, including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
• 403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan – with up to 5% Getty Match
• Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
• Educational Assistance and professional development
• Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• This position will have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
• On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
• Community service opportunities

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits, go to Getty HR online.

Getty believes diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion are essential to our excellence and to the execution of our mission. The Getty community values differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Individuals of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Photo: Getty.