ATTENTION:
The Department of Art & Design in the College of Arts & Communications at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater seeks a Crossman Gallery Director (Artist, AR001 & Lecturer).
The position is an instructional Academic Staff, 100% fixed term appointment. Reappointment for subsequent terms is dependent upon needs of the positions, university funding and external forces.
JOB DETAILS:
The gallery director is responsible for day-to-day operations of the Crossman Gallery and the Community Engagement Center Gallery and will also teach one Art History or World of the Arts (General Education) class each semester. The director reports to the chair of the Department of Art and Design.
The Crossman Gallery serves the Department of Art and Design, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the community by providing a forum for the exhibition of art works and related educational activities. By facilitating the exhibition of distinctive works of art, the gallery offers students, faculty and visitors an opportunity to enjoy and study a variety of art expressions. The gallery also serves as an extension of the educational mission of the university by enabling students to exhibit their own work and conduct research into the objects presented throughout the year in the exhibition series.
This important campus venue introduces works of art from diverse communities, as well as corresponding educational programming, to the student body and region. At the programmatic level, students are introduced to the breadth and diversity of cultural production through targeted curatorial efforts presented at the Crossman Gallery. The proximity of the Crossman Gallery to classrooms offering art studio and art history coursework, as well as faculty assignments in GENED 110 (World of the Arts), facilitates the development of a tight connection between curricular discussion and practical examples provided by co-curricular presentations.
The department and gallery partner with other programs on campus in support of visiting artist and scholar workshops, critiques, and lectures that extend the scope of the curriculum and serve as bridges to diverse communities. It celebrates the accomplishments of our campus community by frequently hosting the UW-W faculty Annual Research Exhibition as well as Department of Art and Design faculty exhibitions, and several student exhibitions each semester.
The Crossman Gallery is a cultural driver of our region, as it hosts many exhibitions that are regionally attended. Many visiting artists, including the renowned Schuh Visiting Artist, exhibit their work in this facility.
Community Engagement Center (CEC): The CEC gallery houses the university permanent collection of over 1000 works of art with specialty areas in German works on paper from the Neue Sachlichkeit Movement, contemporary prints and drawings, a collection of prints by Leon Pescheret, work by contemporary ceramic artists and holdings of visionary and outsider artists in two- and three-dimensional media. Exhibitions in the CEC Gallery will primarily consist of the permanent collection and be curated at the discretion of the director.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications:
MFA in Studio Art or Design, or a master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Arts Management, or related field
Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated knowledge of a broad range of art historical periods, cultures, and media, including those works and artists who have been excluded from dominant art canons
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and an interest in providing programming and exhibitions that reflect this commitment in order to elevate social and cultural awareness within the region
- Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively in the facilitation of activities among diverse groups of students, colleagues, artists, and community members
- Curatorial and gallery and/or museum experience, along with a knowledge of best practices in maintaining a gallery space and the care, handling, installation and lighting of fine art objects in a gallery and/or museum setting
- Excellent organizational skills, including experience with budgeting
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, supervise, instruct, train, and mentor students in employment as gallery assistants and in Undergraduate Research
- Experience in packing, crating, and shipping artwork, mount-making, cutting mats, and framing
- Knowledge of basic conservation and care of artwork
- Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and maintaining social media pages
- Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Promote diverse, equitable, and socially-just programming.
- Curate original exhibitions through portfolio reviews, professional and not-for-profit gallery engagement and/or on-site studio visits.
- Design and install exhibitions with the assistance of gallery student staff; design and construct exhibition mounts and display furniture.
- Adhere to professional practices for conservation and archival care for artwork in the Permanent Collection.
- Package and ship artwork.
- Organize receptions for exhibition openings.
- Purchase gallery operating supplies.
- Review and respond to exhibition proposals from artists, galleries and curators. Maintain correspondence with prospective artists, art dealers, museum directors, university administrators and community organizations.
- Negotiate contractual agreements with artists, galleries and collectors.
- Photograph the gallery installations and artworks in the Permanent Collection.
- Maintain and update registration records of the permanent collection and its campus loan program.
Facilitate student exhibitions:
- Conduct tutorials on mounting an exhibition for students including proper methods of framing, matting, installation, generating a poster and/or announcement, and overall visual presentation of exhibits.
- Conduct group meetings with students signed up for capstone exhibits.
- Coordinate and advise students on gallery presentation details of the required student capstone shows. These are part of the academic program, and BA, BFA, BSE in Art Education and MEPD students participate in an array of Senior Shows, Entry and Junior Review Exhibits.
- Coordinate the annual juried student show including selection of a juror for that show.
- Engage in classroom visitations and participate in convocations to inform students of gallery events.
- Supervise and instruct student employees as gallery attendants and technicians.
- Supervise gallery interns.
- Coordinate with regional high schools for the annual Visual Arts Classic.
Publicity and fund-raising activities include:
- The Director is responsible for initiating publicity including original writing and graphic design.
- Coordinate with local and regional media, both on and off campus, to gain coverage of gallery events.
- Coordinate and prepare press releases and oversee graphic design with college marketing staff.
- Maintain and update mailing lists.
- Fundraising for scholarships and awards for the Annual Student Art Show.
- Grant writing to enhance the gallery budget.
- Balancing and maintaining the gallery budget.
- In completing these tasks, the Gallery Director will function as a member of the Department of Art and Design and be evaluated annually by the Department, the Chairperson and the
- Chair of the Gallery Committee. The Gallery Director will also meet on a regular basis with the Gallery Committee, and will coordinate scheduling of exhibition and gallery hours in consultation with the Department of Art and Design.
The successful Gallery Director applicant will also be assigned one class, either World of the Arts, a 100-level general education requirement that introduces students to the arts across disciplines, or Art History—depending on the needs of the department and the expertise of the candidate.
CAMPUS INFORMATION:
Founded in 1868, UW–Whitewater is one of eleven comprehensive universities in Wisconsin’s public higher education system that also includes two doctoral institutions and a statewide Extension. UW-Whitewater’s main campus is located in Whitewater, with a branch campus in Rock County, in the city of Janesville. Together, these campuses form a preeminent academic institution driven by the pursuit of knowledge, powered by a spirit of innovation, and focused on transforming lives. UW-Whitewater’s campuses are located conveniently near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, and thus offer the advantage of beautiful small-town environments with easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas.
The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs offered at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. These include both on-campus and online programs, and span the disciplines, from the theoretical to the applied, and encompass study in the arts, business, education, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, technology, and professional and interdisciplinary programs.
UW-Whitewater has a special mission within the UW System to serve students with disabilities and, as such, embraces the principles of universal design and is one of the most accessible campuses in the nation. The campuses have more than 200 student organizations and UW-Whitewater’s intercollegiate athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division-III level. UW-Whitewater is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally and ethnically diverse campus environment, building a diverse faculty and staff with expertise and interest in serving students with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities and other distinct characteristics in respectful, sensitive and understanding ways. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see http://www.uww.edu/asfr. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.
To learn more about UW-Whitewater’s competitive benefits packages go to our: ALEX webpage, which is our interactive benefits decision support tool.
SPECIAL NOTES:
UW-Whitewater embraces AAC&U’s LEAP principles (http://www.uww.edu/leap) and emphasizes student, staff and faculty participation in High-Impact Practices (https://www.aacu.org/resources/high-impact-practices). The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (http://www.uww.edu/orsp) provides support for faculty scholarly and creative activities as well as other opportunities to apply for reassigned time and/or other resources to support research activities. UW-Whitewater faculty and staff also have access to technology transfer and research resources provided by WiSys (https://www.wisys.org).
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.
The University of Wisconsin System is engaged in a Title and Total Compensation (TTC) project to redesign job titles and compensation structures. As a result of the TTC project, official job titles on current job postings is targeted to be implemented mid-2021. Job duties and responsibilities will remain the same. For more information please visit: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/title-and-total-compensation-study/
The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater has the authority to implement temporary workforce reduction and cost saving measures to address financial challenges resulting from the COVID-19 Crisis, consistent with Wisconsin law and Board of Regents, UW System, and UW-Whitewater policy and procedure.
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:
Applications received by March 1, 2022 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1072 or hrstudent@uww.edu.
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Mary Eastlick
Academic Department Associate, Art & Design
262-472-1324
eastlicm@uww.edu
TO APPLY:
Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Name and contact information for three professional references
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Exhibition design examples or documentation (20 images with a maximum of 1200px in one either dimension
- Curatorial philosophy statement
- Diversity statement
This Job ID is 17625.
