Curator
Position Information: Curator
Requisition Number: 102217
Departmental Job Title: Curator
Type of Position: Staff
Positions Available: 1
Division: Provost Office
Department 42226: Neubauer Family Collegium for Culture and Society
About the Unit
The Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society at the University of Chicago supports wide-ranging collaborative research on significant human problems. These include projects in the visual and performing arts, as well as a Global Visiting Fellows program that brings scholars and practitioners from around the world to work with research teams at the University of Chicago. The Neubauer Collegium Exhibitions Gallery is one of the Collegium’s three key initiatives, and its integration of visual and performing arts into larger research inquiry is a unique innovation that sets the Neubauer Collegium apart from other research centers. In its first 2 years of operation the Neubauer Collegium Exhibitions Gallery has held 10 shows featuring historical and contemporary art works, informed by a rigorous curatorial framework. Several Neubauer Collegium shows have been curated as part of a campus-wide set of related exhibitions. The gallery has attracted international press coverage and established itself as an important new presence in the arts landscape.
Job Summary
The Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society seeks a creative, cerebral, audience-engaged collaborative individual to join our core team. The Curator role is a 50% appointment (with full benefits) intended to be part of a larger suite of professional activities pursued entrepreneurially and which enhance the role in the Collegium, the precise nature of which will be defined by the holder of the role. The Collegium role includes: overseeing all curatorial activities and related operations for exhibitions, as well as other arts and media programming at the Neubauer Collegium; collaborating with campus partners such as the Smart Museum, the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, The Renaissance Society, the Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry, the Department of Visual Arts Open Practice Committee, the Arts + Public Life’s Arts Incubator, as well as the University of Chicago’s network of global centers; representing the Neubauer Collegium in public and private settings. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Curator works as a critical part of the Neubauer Collegium’s collaborative team, developing and overseeing arts-related programming, operations and policies. The Curator is supported in part by the Manager, Events and Gallery, who assists with activities and events related to the Exhibitions Gallery. In addition to identifying and featuring emerging and established contemporary artists suitable for an ideas-driven Gallery, the Curator works as part of the Collegium team in its support for faculty-led research projects, including helping to identify and develop aspects of projects that lend themselves to experimental exhibition in the Gallery as well as related programming. The Curator will work closely with the Faculty Director and Executive Director to develop and execute Gallery-specific fundraising strategies related to organizations and individuals. The Curator will contribute to the Collegium’s innovative thinking about substantive engagement with new constituencies, including experimenting with new forms and media as they relate to inquiry.
Education
Master’s degree or above in an arts related field required.
Experience
Two years of curatorial experience required; 4 or more years preferred.
Teaching experience in the arts in higher education recommended.
Competencies
Ability to develop ideas-driven exhibition program in contemporary art required.
Ability to work collaboratively required.
Ability to develop and manage exhibition budgets required. Ability to contribute to fundraising required.
Exceptional organizational skills required, including ability to oversee complex projects and schedules, maintain deadlines, work within budgets, set priorities and manage multiple projects at once.
Exceptional communications skills required, including written and spoken; experience with marketing and communications, including developing web content related to exhibition programming strongly preferred.
Ability to train student workers and others in managing gallery duties specific to each exhibition required.
Ability to represent the Neubauer Collegium at local, national and international arts events required.
Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends required.
Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
Occasional pushing and lifting of equipment. Some light lifting (10-50 lbs) is required.
Drive off-site to local vendors, galleries, etc.
Light construction (e.g. Mila walls, install projectors, wall- hangings); climb a 15′ ladder to assist with installations.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work expected of people in this role. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.
Required Documents
Resume
Cover Letter
Reference Contact Information
Additional Questions
The Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society is an incubator for collaborative research inquiry. Briefly explain how your approach to curating exhibitions in the visual arts might fit that model.
Briefly describe 1-2 exhibitions you’ve curated over the past 3 years that you consider to have been particularly successful, explaining your measures for success.
Work Location: Campus – Hyde Park
Work Schedule: Part-Time
Benefits Eligible?: Yes
Hours/Week: 20
If other than regular
Hours (8:30 – 5:00)
Please detail: Varies
Union?: Non-union
Pay Grade: NA
Pay Range: Depends on Qualifications
Pay Frequency: Bi-weekly
Does this positon require
Incumbent to operate a
vehicle on the job?: No
Check Required?
Is a Background: Yes
Is Drug Testing Required?: No
Employee Referral Bonus?: No
Posting Date: 03/17/2017
The standard summary is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job.
NOTE: After applying for this position you will receive a confirmation number. If you do not see the confirmation number, you have not completed applying for the position.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-1841 or email talentacquisition@uchicago.edu with their request.
You may apply for this posting at http://www.uchicago.edu/jobs/. Select University Job Opportunities, create and account and search postings for Requisition Number 102217
