Curatorial Director, Lehmann Maupin Gallery

Rachel Lehmann and David Maupin co-founded Lehmann Maupin in 1996 in New York. Since its inception, Lehmann Maupin has served as a leading contemporary art gallery with locations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. For over 25 years, Lehmann Maupin has been instrumental in introducing international artists in new geographies and building long-lasting curatorial relationships. Known for championing diverse voices, the gallery’s program proudly features artists whose work challenges notions of identity and shapes international culture. 

Today, the gallery has locations in New York, Seoul, and London, as well as a team in mainland China. In the past year with growing opportunities in new markets, the gallery has opened seasonal spaces in Aspen, Palm Beach, Taipei, and Beijing. 

About the position

Lehmann Maupin Gallery (LMG) seeks a dynamic and forward-thinking individual with a profound knowledge of 21st-century global art history and current artistic trends, to join the team as its new Curatorial Director Prepared by 

(CD). Reporting to the gallery co-founders, Rachel Lehmann and David Maupin, the CD will be an integral part of the senior leadership team responsible for advancing the Gallery’s strategic priorities for the artists the gallery represents. This is a unique opportunity for a bold, entrepreneurial leader to create and implement a tactical vision that impacts the career of LMG’s artists at every level and reinforces LMG as the leader in the field of contemporary art. 

An effective advocate and champion of contemporary art, the ideal candidate will be eager to develop proficiency around the gallery’s artistic program, mission, and philosophy with the goal of leveraging their relationships within the museum and curatorial communities. From these relationships, the new CD will work to secure focused projects and opportunities that lead to enhanced visibility and recognition, successful museum acquisitions, exhibition inclusion, and scholarly projects for artists in LMG’s program. In line with LMG’s culture as an artistic incubator, the ideal candidate will encourage thought partnership and experimentation, challenging others to push creative bounds while adhering to strategic priorities. 

The next CD will have a proven record of achievement in some of the following areas: innovative research, writing, and interpretation; commitment to expansive and inclusive audience engagement; amplifying perspectives and stories of underrepresented communities through exhibitions, installations, scholarly lectures and publications; experience in the development of public or private collections; and pioneering collaborative partnerships. 

The CD will be a charismatic team player and thought partner who possesses strong and persuasive communication and negotiation skills, gravitas, interpersonal savvy, and an outgoing demeanor. They will possess the skills and temperament to foster inter and cross-departmental synergy with their gallery colleagues and have a critical understanding and respect for the role each plays in achieving LMG’s overall goals. Furthermore, they will lead by example on issues of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. They will align the LMG’s strategic priorities as well as its people, processes, and policies with the gallery’s organizational values and aspirations to create a culture where anti-racism and cross-culturalism permeate every aspect of the LMG’s work. 

Responsibilities 

Curatorial Vision and Strategic Leadership 

• Represent LMG as curatorial liaison with global institutions and curators (museums and biennials); build the reputation of the gallery’s artists through collaboration with curatorial colleagues, and cultural organizations to secure museum exhibitions and acquisition, and publications 
• Build on current internal planning to further develop strategic loans, sales, and placement of artwork; develop an astute roadmap that clearly communicates how the CD’s role both aligns with and enhances overall plan in the short- and long term 
• Work with LMG artists and artist liaisons to identify a bold and inspired tactical approach for Museum acquisitions and exhibition inclusion that broadens the artist’s exposure and amplifies the reputation of their work 
• Develop and foster a bond with Gallery artists to secure their best work and identify opportunities to leverage their portfolios. Encourage and assist with their participation in art fairs, biennials, symposiums, contemporary-art prizes, and important artist fellowships and residencies. 
• Bring fresh eyes and an innovative perspective to exhibitions, program content and acquisitions and expand outreach to up and coming and established artists on local, national, and international levels. 
• Create and promote a positive, equitable, and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and supports consistency throughout the organization’s strategy; lead by example in LMG’s endeavors to examine and contribute to equity goals in the Gallery’s hiring practices and workplace culture 
• CD will create engaging programming around gallery exhibitions such as Artist Talks and/or Performances 

Relationship Building & Cultivation 

• Act as an ambassador for the Gallery and its artists; increase their visibility in the art world encouraging opinion leaders and image-makers to appreciate the significance and value of LMG’s artistic program 
• Understand that the maintenance and pursuance of effectual and strategic working relationships with institutions, colleagues, and artists, nationally and internationally is critical to the success of this position; networking should be second nature 
• Actively cultivate relationships with new and established artists who do not have representation or who are the featured artists at an under-performing gallery; stay current on their work, gather market intelligence, and attend events, to remain on their radar and increase the Gallery’s visibility 

Collaboration 

• Cultivate strong and transparent working relationships with gallery leadership and colleagues to ensure open communication and alignment around LMG’s organizational goals, understanding the importance of each team member’s contribution to the larger LMG goals. Provide collaborative and proactive input into decisions affecting LMG’s overall exhibitions and strategic action plans; identify and pursue opportunities to partner with museums and other artist agencies 

Preferred Profile & Qualifications 

The Curator will possess the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics: 

• Possess and communicate a passion for art and scholarship; champion ongoing innovative exhibitions and programmatic content that is consistent with LMG’s mission, and values and surpasses expectations 
• Strong national and international network of global museum leaders and curators, artists, and other professional colleagues; maintains and pursues professional affiliations in scholarly organizations, professional societies, and relevant committees 
• Substantial experience and record of achievements developing and delivering exhibitions and acquisitions; a record of scholarly research and publications preferred 
• Exemplary people skills with a passion for networking; skillful at creating and nurturing influential relationships within the arts community 
• Authentic and personal commitment to elevating all voices, artworks, and perspectives and striving to support racial equity; demonstrated commitment to furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in museum collections, exhibitions, and spaces 
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to simultaneously focus on “big picture” goals and day-to-day research and administrative tasks; attentive to detail, and proven ability to complete work with accuracy and precisioნ
• Εξχεπτιοναλ ρεσεαρχη, ανδ ϖερβαλ ανδ ωριττεν χομμυνιχατιον σκιλλσ; οτηερ λανγυαγεσ α πλυσ
•  Experience in positions requiring independence and minimal supervision, and a high level of discretion and responsibility regarding administrative matters and project management 
• A multitasker who is nimble and open to experimentation yet able to make decisions; cool under pressure; resilient 
• Team player with a keen sense of initiative and a strong work ethic; high level of personal and professional integrity, and trustworthiness 
• Advanced degree in art history or equivalent experience required 
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in working in museums, galleries, and/or other curatorial capacities required 

Must be willing to travel (artist studios, biennials, and museum visits) 

Key Competencies 

• Action Oriented – Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. 
• Builds Network – Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization. 
• Collaborates – Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. 
• Interpersonal Savvy – Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people. 
• Being Resilient – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations. 
• Drives Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances. 
• Strategic Mindset – Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies. 
• Fast Paced – Highly organized and flexible working in high-intensity environment 

Compensation & Benefits 

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The hiring salary for the position is $125,000-$145,000 based on experience. 

A comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 100% paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance. Paid time off, which increases over time, for vacation, sickness, personal days, and holidays. 401(k) Retirement Plan enrollment after three months and, after one year of employment, an employer contribution. A menu of employee-paid voluntary benefits. 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Lehmann Maupin is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, citizen status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental impairment, genetic predisposition, ancestry, political affiliation or belief or any other factor protected by law. This policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

Land Acknowledgement Lehmann Maupin New York is located on the island known as Mannahatta (Manhattan) in Lenapehoking, the ancestral homeland of the Lenape people. We respectfully acknowledge and honor the Lenape (Delaware) Nations and other indigenous communities, their elders’ past, and present, as well as future generations, for their enduring and essential relationships to the region. 

To Apply 

To express your interest in the role, please submit a CV and a cover letter describing your exhibition and research interests here. All applications, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. Only applications with cover letters will be accepted. 

Candidates from historically underrepresented groups in the curatorial field are especially encouraged to apply. 

DRG Talent Advisory Group 

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