Director of Exhibitions

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The Tyler School of Art and Architecture invites applicants for the position of Director of Temple Contemporary, the school’s center for exhibitions and public programs. This position is an uncommon opportunity for an individual to bring progressive leadership to a contemporary gallery in a school of art and architecture with nationally ranked programs situated within a research university, Temple University.

We see this as a highly creative, hands-on position that requires an essential understanding of contemporary art and visual culture, and the collaborative and communication skills to work effectively across disciplines with constituencies within and beyond the school. We are looking for a leader who will build a distinctive intellectual vision for the gallery. The successful candidate will demonstrate initiative, creativity, be passionate about arts advocacy, be fluent in contemporary arts discourse, have experience in fundraising, and be able to work in collaborative and dynamic ways with a diverse group of faculty, students and staff and members of our surrounding community.

Curators, artists, scholars, and cultural producers and practitioners are invited to apply. We are especially interested in candidates who share a love for progressive ideas across the arts and design disciplines, who value working with the broad and diverse communities and who view art as knowledge and as an indispensable arm of free thought and direct social engagement.

The director is a salaried, 12-month position reporting to the dean of the School. The director may also teach up to one class per year.

About the Tyler School of Art and Architecture

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University is known for fostering a culture of diversity practices in our scholarship and pedagogy. Candidates for the position of director of Temple Contemporary are encouraged to address the ways in which they could contribute to Temple’s institutional mission and commitment to excellence and diversity and to Tyler’s engagement in interdisciplinarity, social responsibility, and community engagement.

One of the Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s core strengths is the breadth of its academic programs. The school offers more than three dozen degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, in studio art, design, art history, art education, art therapy, architecture, and built environment disciplines. In each program, students work in small learning communities, while also benefiting from state-of-the-art facilities, a rigorous curriculum, and a large, diverse campus community.

Tyler’s faculty members are widely recognized as among the most exciting practitioners in their fields. Tyler’s vast network of alumni—artists, designers, art historians, scholars, architects and urban planners—are rich resources for collaboration. Temple Contemporary plays a crucial role in the lives of students at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture by expanding their learning experiences.

Main Responsibilities of the Position

The Director of Temple Contemporary is responsible for generating and organizing a yearly series of vital exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and other programs. The director will be expected to consider the educational needs and goals of the academic programs at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture as well as actively engage with students, faculty, artists, scholars, alumni, and the public.

Develop and maintain a dynamic vision for Temple Contemporary in collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and advisory committees.
Engage in productive partnerships and collaborative relationships that enrich the educational and cultural life of the school, university, arts community, and general community.
Create interdisciplinary activities that servs pedagogical, research and outreach interests of the students and faculty.
Work with faculty to develop responsive programs that are integrated with academic coursework at Tyler.
Manage, operate, and oversee 3,400 square foot gallery facility.
Lead the effort to generate contributed income from private, public, governmental, and internal university sources.
Develop and manage budgets for Temple Contemporary.
Supervise Temple Contemporary staff of two to three full-time members, graduate assistants, and work study students.
Maintain a dynamic media presence to promote Temple Contemporary in collaboration with Tyler’s communications staff.
Support MFA thesis exhibitions.
Coordinate Temple Contemporary’s Youth Advisory Council and general Advisory Council.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

How To Apply

Application should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, documentation of 3-5 relevant previous projects, and contact information for three professional references. Please include two statements:

A programming statement that illustrates your views of an institution as a space of cultural exploration and social interaction, as well as your vision for how you would approach a university gallery’s presentation of contemporary art and visual culture within the contexts of the school, the university, and the larger community.
A statement outlining how you have contributed to diversity practices that foster equity and inclusion.

Required Education & Experience:

MFA in Visual Arts, MA in Museum/Curatorial Studies, MA in Art. 3 years experience in museum or gallery curating or programming. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Required Skills & Abilities:

History/Museum Management/Administration or equivalent
Experience in community engagement
Record of successful fundraising
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
Experience as a teacher in formal or informal environments
Hands-on experience with the practical processes of supporting exhibitions from proposal to de-installation
Demonstrated ability to produce exhibition publications, gallery text and promotional materials

Preferred:

* 5 years experience in museum or gallery curating or programming.

*This position requires a background check.

Please note this position will temporarily work remotely, the duration of remote work will be at the discretion of Temple University and the department.

Temple University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

To obtain additional information about Temple University please visit our website at www.temple.edu.

Primary Location: Pennsylvania-Philadelphia-Main Campus-Tyler School Of Art and Architecture
Job: Staff
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day Job
Employee Status: Regular