Curator | USA

The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM), an internationally-acclaimed Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program and contemporary art museum in Center City Philadelphia, seeks a full-time Curator to lead and shape its artistic program. Founded in 1977, FWM encourages international artists at all stages of their careers to experiment with new materials and new media in a veritable living laboratory, working with studio staff, educators, and apprentices. Research, construction, and fabrication occur on-site in open studios that allow audiences to engage and witness art in process. Innovative exhibitions featuring a diverse range of artists convey a story of contemporary art that unites process with finished works. With an operating budget of over $4 million, major support is provided by the Marion Boulton “Kippy” Stroud Foundation along with generous grants from public and private foundations and individual donors including the National Endowment for the Arts and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

The Curator will organize compelling exhibitions featuring work made through the AIR Program or drawn from FWM’s Permanent Collection of more than 5,000 objects and works of art. The Registrar and Exhibitions Manager report to the curator, a senior position that reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Director of Studio Operations, the Director of Education, and a prestigious Artist Advisory Committee comprised of national and international artists, curators, and museum directors. The Curator will join the leadership team for a recently funded project that will investigate innovative modes of audience engagement to spotlight FWM’s uniqueness as a maker and presenter through the intersection of its studio practice and exhibition program.

Responsibilities

• Lead the artist-in-residence selection process and the development of the exhibition schedule
• Organize approximately three exhibitions per year
• Oversee the content and interpretation of exhibitions to position resident artists’ work in larger cultural, historical, and aesthetic contexts that are relevant to our varied audiences
• Lead and work cross-departmentally to develop and implement a master plan for the preservation and presentation of the collections
• Engage with the Education Department to develop and implement programming that identifies emerging ideas and speaks to all ages and diverse audiences
• Develop and oversee the scholarly content of publications for the Museum
• Actively participate in the field through lectures, panels, conferences, and publications at FWM and elsewhere
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with artists, donors, galleries, press, and colleagues at other institutions
• Work with the Development staff to raise funds for exhibitions and programs
• Liaise with FWM’s Board of Directors, Artist Advisory Committee and Collections Management Committee and oversee the work of guest curators
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

 Qualifications

• BA or BFA required and MA in Art History or Curatorial Studies or MFA preferred
• Five years’ experience organizing exhibitions and contemporary art projects, preferably within an institutional context
• Exceptional knowledge of contemporary art and culture
• Demonstrated ability to work with artists in the creation of new works
• Superior public speaking ability, as well as excellent writing and editing skills
• Self-motivated, flexible, and dedicated
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Ability to work on several projects at once and change priorities on short notice

To Apply
The salary for this position is commensurate with experience and includes benefits. Interested candidates should send letter of interest, resume, three writing samples, salary expectations, and three professional references to hr@fabricworkshopandmuseum.org. When applying, include “Application: Curator” in the subject line of email. EOE. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted; no phone calls please.