Chief of Curatorial Affairs & Public Programs

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BACKGROUND
The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) a contemporary art museum, celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora. MoAD is based in San Francisco and plays a vital role in the local arts community. MoAD is uniquely positioned as one of the few museums in the world focused exclusively on African Diaspora culture and on presenting the rich cultural heritage of the people of Africa and of African descendant cultures all across the globe.

MoAD opened its doors in 2005, debuting a gorgeous modern museum designed by the nationally renowned Freelon Group to showcase art and culture through the lens of the African Diaspora.

The museum underwent a significant renovation in 2015, where the gallery and content focus shifted to featuring contemporary art with a significant highlight on Black artists, art, and curators. Significant exhibitions included: Dandy Lion: (Re)Articulating Black Masculine Identity, A Matter of Fact featuring the art of Toyin Ojih Odutol, Otra Mas a photography exhibition on the legacy of Carnaval in San Francisco, and Black Refractions. Marking its 15th anniversary in 2021, the museum continues to be a unique, cultural arts staple in the San Francisco Bay Area community. The museum is looking forward to reopening in fall 2021 with exhibitions featuring Ghanaian painter Amoako Boafo and Malawi-born, Johannesburg-based artist Billie Zangewa. Both are among Africa’s most important contemporary artists working on the international stage today.

MoAD Today
Unphased by a pandemic world, the museum successfully shifted all programming to the online space and developed a new and exciting digital voice, connecting the museum with virtual audiences.

Highlights of the Museum’s unique programs include:

Conversations Across the Diaspora
Community Resilience and BLATANT which programs rose out of the Black Lives Matter movement, engaging and healing the museum’s hurting community.
The museum’s education programs also took flight with a new set of virtual classrooms. In the Artist’s Studio gave artists a platform to show their artworks, have thoughtful conversations, and demonstrate their artistic processes.
The MoAD Lit programs featuring the African Book Club, Authors in Conversation, and Open Mic gave the museum’s community an opportunity to read, listen, and discuss African literature from home.
The bi-monthly Open Mic Night continued to amplify community voices by engaging over 300 unique poets, artists, and musicians.
Other notable programs include The Rhythmic Roots of Afro-Latin Jazz with John Santos, Art History Crash Course with Dr. Jacqueline Francis, and a conversation with activist and scholar Angela Davis and artist Isaac Julien.
Despite being closed to the public, MoAD was proud to exhibit an online exhibition Meet Us Quickly: Painting for Justice from Prison, curated by San Quentin incarcerate Rahsaan Thomas.

Summary of Opportunity

Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) seeks an experienced and creative Chief of Curatorial Affairs and Public Programs with a professional background in contemporary art, and experience working with museums that hold work from the African Diaspora and artists, art fairs and galleries from the African Diaspora. In partnership with the Executive Director, this team member will develop and execute the curatorial strategy and direction for MoAD and be responsible for the overall management and execution of the museum’s curatorial vision, including its exhibitions, publications, public and educational programs as well as playing an important role in outreach and communications. This position reports to the Executive Director and is part of the executive team. This position will build on existing relationships with donors, artists, and dealers, and establish new connections with professionals in this sphere, inclusive of colleges and universities, to further the mission and vision of the museum. This individual will commit to establishing a presence as a key contemporary arts leader in the San Francisco Bay area, United States, and internationally.

The ideal candidate will be a demonstrated leader in their field, with progressive experience or curatorial accomplishments in the Diasporic, African, or Black arts realm. This position should be exceedingly well organized, highly professional, flexible, proactive, able to work well under pressure, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills. They should be able to build a collaborative, trusting, and confident environment with stakeholders, MoAD staff, and the Board of Directors by being a key partner in building the culture and community of the museum on an internal and external scale.

This is a full-time, exempt position, with work performed primarily on-site. While some work may be performed remotely, candidates must be physically located in the Bay Area.

Key Responsibilities

Exhibitions

Oversees the overall exhibition schedule, including traveling exhibitions and accompanying catalogues, and prepare exhibitions of varying degrees each year exclusive to MoAD, as well as others originating from other institutions
Conducts research and oversees the preparation of ancillary educational materials for exhibitions, catalogue essays, reports, and digital content
Strategically plans and proposes exhibitions at least 3 years in advance for approval by the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
Exhibition budgets must be developed in advance to ensure accurate budget projections and fundraising ability
Monitors exhibition contracts and implementation timelines; schedules and oversees the installation of exhibitions; and maintains relations with exhibition donors, lenders and artists
Fully integrate technology into exhibitions and programs

Leadership

Maintains knowledge of the current African Diaspora art market while developing and strengthening relationships with various members of the arts community, nationally and internationally, including artists, collectors, curators, educators, journalists, and leaders of other related institutions. Funds are available for travel
Establishes curatorial institutional policies and procedures to ensure a consistent and standard, yet innovative, approach and process
Creates an environment that encourages creativity and originality when exploring new relationships and partnering with artists central to MoAD’s mission
Nurtures a collaborative culture, both internally and externally, so that there is effective communication throughout, ensuring efficiency and accountability measures are in place
Collaborates with MoAD’s Executive Director and Development Director to identify and cultivate relationships with donors and prospects for MoAD and provides guidance for grant applications and other fundraising activities, as needed
Leads a seasoned staff in the Exhibitions, Public Programs and Education Departments and ensures a seamless integration of work amongst the Departments
Actively solicit loans of appropriate works of art and contribute to the further development and overall organization of the database housing this information
Oversees acknowledgment of lenders, and other appropriate stakeholders, as required
Develops and executes on an annual publications plan and schedule, both hard copy and virtually

Communication and Marketing

Establishes a MoAD presence and strategy at domestic and international art fairs
Develops and participates in public programs in person and virtually
Cultivates conversations and actively engages in public dialogue related to the art and culture of the African Diaspora, establishing presence as an expert in the field
Represents MoAD in professional associations, conferences, and other scholarly meetings and events
Excellent organizational and communication skills including a mature writing ability

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

Five years of demonstrated relevant experience, with preference for progressive curatorial accomplishments in the Diasporic, African, or Black arts realm and experience and understanding of contemporary art, Black art and culture, and the African Diaspora arts community
Advanced degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Digital Culture, or related field desirable, but not required to apply
Successful track record of exhibitions, lectures, and/or publication
Demonstrated interpersonal and leadership skills; ability to work diplomatically with others and a commitment to teamwork and collaboration
An appetite for social engagement with a wide range of audiences and comfort with public speaking
Experience prioritizing and project managing multiple projects

Desired Personal Attributes

Well-organized, self-starter with a “can do” attitude. This role will involve lots of multitasking and thinking outside the box
A high emotional and social maturity and a team player
Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of relationship management
Shrewd decision-making ability, with an ability to prioritize and attention to detail
Demonstrated capacity to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
Forward looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions to continuously improve systems, communications, and programs

Compensation and Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package will be a part of the total compensation, including paid time off (vacation, sick, holiday), 401(k), FSA, pre-tax commuter benefits, and health insurance including medical, dental, vision, and chiropractic, with a generous 90% of employee premiums and 60% of dependent premiums paid by the Museum for our base plan.

Diversity

What we look for in the Museum’s staff: the ability to imagine, the energy to create and explore new ideas and the freedom of spirit to celebrate the Museum’s diverse community. MoAD is committed to diversity in its programming and creating an inclusive work culture and environment that is reflective of the San Francisco Bay Area. MoAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, MoAD will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

HOW TO APPLY

Diane Frankel is the MCA consultant leading this search. To be considered for this position, prospective applicants must submit pertinent information and attach a current resume, a one-two page narrative describing interest and experience, and three professional references (name, work relationship, email, phone) using the online application system. Each file should have the applicant’s name included as part of the file name.
Once all materials have been submitted online, the applicant will receive a confirmation of their submission via the email address provided in the application. For clarification on any of this information, please contact Christy Wall at cwall@mcaonline.com.