Director of KADIST San Francisco
For KADIST, art is a driving force for social transformation. KADIST’s programs often highlight a key issue of today through presenting the voices of artists who respond to the urgent social and political forces of our time. With permanent exhibition spaces in Paris and San Francisco, and offices in Guangzhou and Mexico City, KADIST produces exhibitions and programs across five continents, through curatorial collaborations, in order to responsibly address the complexity of local cultures. KADIST’s spaces in Paris and San Francisco present exhibitions and events, organize residencies and educational programs, and produce projects online and on social media. KADIST’s collection of 1600 contemporary artworks serves as a starting point and resource for these programs.
KADIST is a non-profit organization founded in 2001. It is operated in France by an endowment fund and by a 501c3 in the United States.
Position summary
KADIST is looking for an experienced administrative director and public programs curator to serve as Director of KADIST San Francisco. Working in a collaborative, fast-paced arts environment, the Director of KADIST San Francisco is responsible for supervising programs at its local venue, collaborations with organizations in the Americas and overseeing part of the collection. Reporting to the Steering Committee, the Director of KADIST San Francisco is committed to the organization’s mission and programming mandate defined by the organization as well as to provide operational leadership.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Management (25%)
• Work closely and report to the KADIST Steering Committee to maintain a driven, efficient, and progressive organization as well as brainstorm and implement the strategic planning of Kadist SF programs in adherence to the organization’s mission, priorities, and budget
• Supervise and work closely with the San Francisco team by providing effective leadership, creating a sense of common purpose and direction, managing employment and supervision of a variety of human resources responsibilities. The team includes paid staff, contractors, fellows, gallery assistants and interns (3 full-time and 2 part-time staff as well as 2 fellows/assistants).
• Work in tandem with the other KADIST directors (Paris, Asia, Latin America, and International) to maintain cohesion of the organization’s activities
• Supervise, manage and monitor budget spending of San Francisco and Americas programs and collections
• Legal, Accounting, Finance with Business Unit: coordinate contracts, oversee and authorize payments, accounting in Quickbooks
Local Programs & Operations (45%)
• Oversee KADIST San Francisco’s programs comprising two hosted exhibitions annually, fifteen events, and residencies
• Supervise and support guest curators and artists in the curation of programs, providing leadership and curatorial guidance
• Curate the public events program with the team and other guests
• Supervise the maintenance of the exhibition gallery, office, and apartment
Americas Programs & Collection (20%)
• Strategize future Kadist programs in North America with the Kadist Steering Committee, identifying potential partnerships
• Forge relationships with prospective institutional partners with similar missions, values and resources to KADIST
• Supervise the development and production of international exhibitions in the Americas
• Actively keep up to date with regional art scenes, and research artists’ practices and artworks
• Nominate artworks for the collection and online art library
• Participate in the internal acquisition process of artworks
• Manage budgets, authorize expenses, sign acquisition contracts, oversee shipping logistics, approve loan requests for works in the Americas collection or lender in collaboration with the Collection Manager
• Liaise with Americas advisors
Communications, Social Media & Video Production (10%)
• Supervise and guide the online and physical outreach of KADIST SF programs and artists
• Supervise and guide the creation of digital, video, and print content
• Act as public face and voice of the organization in San Francisco
Qualifications
• Minimum seven years of curatorial, collections, and arts management experience
• Graduate degree in Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, or a related field
• Experience working within art institutions
• Collaborative and open management style with proven success in managing a team of similar size to KADIST’s
• Proven practice in the organization and curation of public programs
• Excellent knowledge of contemporary art
• Excellent knowledge and networks of cultural actors in North America
• Proven success in securing and managing institutional partnerships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to successfully manage budgets, contracts, finance and accounting
• Proficiency in English; other languages spoken in the Americas is a plus
• Knowledge and networks of cultural actors in Latin America is a plus
• Proven success in fundraising is a plus
• Availability to work some nights or weekends for public programs
Qualities
The ideal candidate is able to work in a fast-paced environment with great organizational, multi-tasking, and interpersonal skills. They have a proactive, rigorous, and autonomous working style yet thrive in environments that favor teamwork and collaboration. They are able to oscillate between and connect strategic direction and operational management and are enthusiastic in participating in a wide range of organizational functions.
Equal Opportunity
KADIST is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Practical information & How to Apply
For details about the position and how to apply, please visit this page.
About KADIST
We believe contemporary artists make an important contribution to a progressive society, their work often addressing key issues of our time. KADIST, a non-profit organization dedicated to exhibiting the work of artists represented in its collection, encourages this engagement and affirms contemporary art’s relevance within social discourse. KADIST’s local hubs in Paris and San Francisco present exhibitions and events, and organize residencies and educational initiatives, as well as producing projects online and via social media. Concurrently, KADIST is actively establishing networks across five areas—North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia and Latin America—inviting new artists into the collection and initiating collaborative programs, especially exhibitions with museums of each region. Together, they aim at facilitating new connections across cultures and creating vibrant conversations about contemporary art and ideas.