Director of Programs and Curatorial Affairs

The Director of Programs and Curatorial Affairs is a key strategic role for the Aspen Art Museum. They work closely with the Executive Director to develop and oversee all curatorial programming, including exhibitions, commissions, public art and practice, public programs (performances, talks, film, and other events), and publications. They are responsible for fundraising for the program, and cultivating and maintaining effective relationships with donors, collectors, gallerists, and artists. They also oversee an integrated program across all strands of Aspen Art Museum activity and work closely with the Director of Education and the Content Team, to position the Museum as a leading institution for contemporary art, social practice, and culture. The
Director of Programs and Curatorial Affairs leads the Content Team and supports interdepartmental planning and collaboration. They are responsible for ensuring that the AAM archive is well managed and the Visitor Service team has the tools needed to spark interest, arouse curiosity, and engage others in learning about and through art.

The Director of Programs and Curatorial Affairs also works closely with the Director of Exhibitions on the production and execution of exhibitions, exhibition budgets, instructions for exhibition designers and art preparators, and the execution of projects in a timely and organized fashion.

Directly Manages: External Curators, Assistant Curators, artists, writers, and the Content Team.

Reports to: Executive Director and is a member of the Executive Management Team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Exhibitions and Programs

• Work with the Executive Director to realize AAM’s mission and vision across all current programs and new initiatives.
• Lead and Manage the Curatorial Department, along with external curators, to plan, curate and deliver an integrated program of exhibitions, commissions, community and socially engaged practices and public projects, and a wide range of projects, including publications and digital content.
• Works with Chief of Staff on all internal and external communications.
• Work with the Executive Director and Content team to set artistic priorities and develop a curatorial strategy for the Museum
• Lead the Programs meetings, set priorities, and ensure that an integrated approach to exhibitions, research, interpretation, public programs, community practice, and publications is fostered institutionally.
• Solicit and evaluate proposals by guest curators and other consultants in exhibition design, architecture, visual arts, film, and video.
• Negotiate with museums, private collectors, donors, artists, and art dealers to secure and manage loans and organize co-commissions, partnerships, and tours.
• Work with the Director of Exhibitions on the registration, conservation, framing, and proper care of objects for exhibitions.
• Develop interpretive material for exhibitions in collaboration with the Director of Education and Marketing and Communications Manager.

Representing the Aspen Art Museum

• Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the Aspen Art Museum’s overall artistic program as needed.

• Promote and support institution-wide diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; attend and participate in Board of Trustee meetings as needed and maintain high standards of professional behavior at all times.
• Work directly with trustees, donors, patrons, and other colleagues in the field, both nationally and internationally, to advance the Aspen Art Museum’s mission and profile.
• Maintain a high level of research and visibility within the field by contributing to and participating in professional conferences, symposia, juries, publications, and nation/international events.

Team Management

• Encourage and facilitate a culture of collaboration and support departments to ensure effective communication, efficiencies, and accountability.
• Lead cross-departmental efforts towards long-range planning to align with the organization’s mission and vision.
• Work closely with senior leadership to attract, develop, and retain staff to ensure that people with the right skills and motivations to meet institutional needs.
• Work closely with the Content Team to develop and shape seasonal content strategies and collaborate with staff across programmatic areas to generate and contribute content on a timely and regular basis.
• Regularly review performance of staff and hold weekly team management meetings.
• Establish work scope for fellows and interns and ensure they are well supervised.
• Attend Senior Staff meetings and Executive Team meetings.

Fundraising and Budget Management

• Work with the Director of Exhibitions to develop the budget and programming priorities for the artistic program on an annual and multi-year basis; work closely with the team to develop budgets in support of larger institutional program goals and artistic vision.
• Oversee the administration of the annual budgets for the Curatorial department, in collaboration with the CFO, to ensure budget goals are met at the end of each fiscal year.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and the Director of Development to cultivate and solicit donors to support institutional priorities and ensure that donor engagement is nurtured in the team and led by example.
• Work closely with colleagues in the Development Department to create fundraising strategies and secure contributions for individual projects, broader cross-disciplinary initiatives, and annual operating support.
• Maintain relationships with collectors, gallerists, and a wide range of donors to support the organization.
• Prepare Board papers and presentations as needed.
• Remain current with Local Government rulings, and work with local arts organizations on public art strategies.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• At least 4 years’ experience as a Manager and Senior Curator with established arts organizations
• Proven experience in museum management including exhibition and artistic program coordination and presentation, interpretation and public programs, project management, team leadership, staff supervision, and budget development/administration.
• Ability to use a team approach to plan and produce complex, interdisciplinary programming.
• Extensive knowledge and relationships in the contemporary art field across disciplines.
• Demonstrated track record with curating, scholarship, and publications.
• Experience in loan acquisitions, organizations of exhibitions, preparation of catalogues, and supervision of gallery installations, and other programmatic events.
• Wide-ranging international experience; ability and enthusiasm for working with diverse artistic and community groups.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, public speaking, negotiation, problem solving, and meeting management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in programming, staff, and audience experience.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and practices in the arts and proven relationships with a wider range of donors.
• Degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Ability to work with close attention to detail and to maintain iron clad confidentiality.
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed to be present at public programs.

Benefits

• Recreation allowance of $1,000
• Full healthcare coverage
• Discounted Ski pass

Hours and Work Schedule

This is a salaried position that generally requires availability Monday through Friday with an occasional weekend, evening, and holiday work. The Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and does not receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of forty in a seven-day work week.