Curator of Exhibitions at Wexner Center for the Arts

Institution: Wexner Center for the Arts

Position: Curator of Exhibitions

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Salary Range: 69,400-91,250 USD

Application Deadline: August 31, 2024

Apply here

Mission Statement

The Wexner Center for the Arts (WCA) at The Ohio State University is a trailblazing multidisciplinary art center where artists and communities converge to explore new ideas and deepen their understanding of the art and issues of our time. The WCA is devoted to commissioning new works of art, artist residencies, and the presentation of exhibitions, performing arts, film, video, and learning programs. Housed in the first major public commission by architect Peter Eisenman, the WCA’s iconic building reflects the center’s ambitions to reimagine what a contemporary cultural space could be. The WCA serves regional, national, and international artists and communities and is supported by public funders, donors, sponsors, and members.

Position Overview

The Curator of Exhibitions will join a dynamic curatorial team, working under the supervision of the Head of Exhibitions to propose, organize, coordinate develop forward-thinking exhibitions, commissioned projects, and publications. She/he/they will curate exhibition projects that span all visual arts disciplines and feature artists in all phases of their careers. The Curator of Exhibitions at WCA, will facilitate touring and curated exhibitions on behalf of the WCA. Alongside and in support of this work, the Curator will cultivate a practice of rigorous intellectual engagement in the fields of contemporary art and culture, seeking out opportunities for dialogue with thought partners on campus, in the region, and further afield. The Curator will possess a track record of publication and research, an established network of contacts, nationally and internationally, and a knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding modern and contemporary art as well as extensive experience of the processes involved in presenting and organizing artistic projects. As part of this practice, they will also work to align meaningfully with cross-departmental initiatives and opportunities at the Center and will play a key role in overseeing scholarship on, and access to, the University’s permanent collection that is stewarded by the WCA, and Exhibitions department archive. The Curator will manage the curatorial assistant as well as the curatorial internship program.

Position involves travel, as well as evening and weekend hours.

Supervises

Curatorial Assistant; Curatorial Interns.

Minimum requirement: Master’s degree in art history, curatorial studies, or comparable degree and 4 years’ experience.

Desired Experience and Skills

• Graduate or post-graduate degree.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment of museums or art centers, galleries, and/or other curatorial capacities.
• At least seven years of relevant research and experience in curation, collection, and exhibitions.
• Excellent knowledge of 20th and 21st century art, with a strong focus on global contemporary art. Strong record or exhibition and publications, demonstrating expertise in curatorial strategies.
• Possess advanced research skills, and excellent management and organizational skills.
• Attentive to details and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Commitment to developing projects that engage the WCA’s mission and possess a willingness to embrace the WCA’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution.
• An open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the center.
• Ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including staff, donors, trustees, faculty, students and community.
• Fluency in English. Additional language abilities preferred.
• Outstanding communication skills, including public speaking, writing, and proofreading.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, including SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Expected to learn and become familiar with the university policies and systems.

 Duties:

40% Exhibition Program Development

• The Curator of Exhibitions will conceptualize, develop, and implement exhibitions, projects, and commissions in alignment with the WCA’s mission and the long-term program arc of the Exhibitions department, spanning all visual arts disciplines and featuring artists in all phases of their respective careers.
• Contribute and align with institutional goals and policies to extend and enrich knowledge and presentation of multi-disciplinary art. An emphasis will be placed on research-based curatorial practice, which may yield proposals of solo shows, projects , group exhibitions of contemporary artists and as well as possible projects linked to historical themes. As part of this practice, the Curator will coordinate with the curatorial team to identify and amplify points of intersection among and between gallery exhibitions; and will also seek out opportunities to develop cross-disciplinary initiatives with programmers around the Center and across campus.
• Working in concert with the Head of Exhibitions under the direction of the Executive Director, the Curator may also oversee implementation of touring and/or guest-curated exhibitions at the Center, serving as in-house curator and liaising with guest curators on behalf of the Exhibitions team.
• Assist in managing exhibition and related project budgets, obtain loans, and assumes responsibility for exhibition team coordination. Oversees maintenance of curatorial files.
• Produce exhibition checklists, draft correspondence, and other interpretive materials.
• Support the preparation for curatorial and WCA-wide meetings, including the agenda, supporting materials, research and justifications, and presentations.
• At the discretion of the Head of Exhibitions, represent the department in policy/planning meetings within the Center and on OSU committees.

40% Management and Programming Initiatives

• The Curator will supervise the Curatorial assistant and oversee administration and project coordination related to the department’s exhibition program, in constant communication and partnership with the Director, Exhibition Planning and Services and their team.
• Curator will also manage the curatorial internship program and other curatorial researchers in identifying opportunities for in developing internal and public-facing outputs—e.g. talks, online content, essays—related to the exhibition program. They will train and supervise curatorial staff; conduct annual performance reviews.
• Work with Exhibition Manager and Registrar to assist with legal contracts for exhibition venues, guest curators, artist commissions, and residencies.
• Work collaboratively across teams; work closely with Advancement Department team on grant, funding strategies and stewarding donors and sponsors; contribute to programming in tandem with Learning and Public Practice; and work with Communications and Marketing on outreach initiatives including press releases, online presence, and social media.
• Manage the WCA Exhibitions artist residency program and several administrative and project management duties including the touring of WCA generated exhibitions.
• Working with the Archivist and other stakeholders, the Curator will also develop public-facing projects exploring the Center’s archive.
• Lead equity initiatives and create accessible and inclusive experiences for the WCA Exhibitions program.

20% Scholarship, Research and Publications

• In addition to researching and writing exhibition didactics, the Curator will also participate in the production of exhibition catalogues and related print publications, including authoring original essays and/or interviews and identifying outside writers and scholars as potential contributors.
• Working collaboratively, they will support initiatives that enhance the engagement resources of the Center, including potential journal projects, study days, symposiums and annual convenings of thinkers and scholars.
• The Curator will participate actively in the field of contemporary art and curatorial practice through scholarship, critical writing, and public programming both locally and nationally, including through dialogue and collaboration with academic partners on campus and in the region.
• Foster professional networks with contemporary artists, communities, and partners in Columbus, throughout Ohio, nationally, and internationally.
• Handle ad-hoc assignments as and when required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Salary Range: 69,400-91,250

Image: The Wexner Center for the Arts as seen from the south, photo: Brad Feinknopf