Museum Director/Curator
Southern Utah Museum of Art

Southern Utah University, Utah’s designated public liberal arts and sciences university, is a comprehensive, regional graduate and undergraduate degree-granting university. Located in Cedar City, Utah, it is an accredited, state-supported institution with an enrollment of over 9,000 students.  Home to the Utah Shakespeare Festival and surrounded by national parks, monuments, forests and wilderness areas that draw millions of visitors annually from around the world, it is only 40 minutes from great snow skiing and year-round golfing. It is located 2 ½ hours from Las Vegas and 3 ½ hours from Salt Lake City.

Southern Utah University invites applications for Museum Director/Curator, Southern Utah Museum of Art.  This is a full-time, 12-month position to start 7/1/2017.  Salary is commensurate with education and experience; excellent benefits

This individual will be responsible to provide daily operations, leadership, and vision for the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) relative to its mission to further the teaching, research, and service missions of SUU by connecting regional art and culture with the larger world through exhibits and educational programs.

General Duties & Responsibilities:

The Director’s duties fall into five main categories:
• Administration
• Education
• Collections
• Fundraising
• Exhibits

Staff to the Museum is largely provided by students, both undergraduate and graduate. Additionally, the Advisory Board (a blend of SUU personnel and community representatives) is organized by committees to provide support in these areas. A strong community volunteer program also supports the museum.

Administration
• Provide leadership and vision for the Southern Utah Museum of Art as an experiential learning environment with a balanced commitment to education and community.
• Provide administrative oversight for collection management, educational outreach, exhibitions and finances (creating and following budgets) required for efficient operation and fiscal sustainability of the Museum.

Education
• Mentor students in a university environment with the desire to help the next generation of museum professionals find success in their careers.
• Oversee the direction of educational programs (K-12) related to the mission of the Beverley Taylor Sorensen Center for the Arts, the Museum, and its exhibits.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate classes in museum studies as mutually agreed upon with an expectation of overload funding.

Collections
• Ensure care and preservation of the permanent collection of the Museum as well as the education collection.
• In partnership with the Collections Committee on the Advisory Board, oversee the acquisition and authentication of new work that enhances the stature and educational mission of the Museum.

Fundraising
• Serve as the spokesperson for the Museum and become the “face” of the Museum at related events or public arts events.
• In partnership with the Development Committee of the Advisory Board and the SUU Advancement Office, oversee fundraising activities, event management (membership and fundraising events) and securing grants. Initial fundraising will be focused around exhibits with the long-term goal of establishing an endowment fund for SUMA.

Exhibits
• In coordination with the Advisory Board, research and recommend works for art exhibitions that have a variety of styles and media and can attract a wide audience.
• With the help of both graduate and undergraduate student assistants and other university personnel, the Museum Director will oversee design, mount, and take down of museum exhibitions.
• Write literate copy related to exhibits as needed for publication and promotion.
• Negotiate and supervise the exchange or loans of exhibits and oversee logistical arrangements for the shipping and return of those works including the use of the Museum van.

Education, Training and Skills
• Minimum of Master’s degree or equivalent in a discipline related to museum studies and/or arts administration is required.
• A desire to complete continuing education to keep skills up-to-date and stay abreast with advancements in the field.
• Possess good business skills, detail orientation, and excellent problem solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with administrators, colleagues, students, volunteers, and the general public are essential characteristics.
• An understanding of innovative methods to enhance Museum visitor’s experience with knowledge of reaching new participants.

Experience
• Five (5) or more years of professional experience working in museums and with collections, with 3+ years of museum management experience within an area of museum studies.
• Demonstrated experience in museum marketing, finance, preservation, exhibit design, and methods to enhance the experience of Museum visitors.
• Demonstrated mentoring and/or teaching experience.
• Experience successfully coordinating with Advisory Boards and community volunteers.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and grant writing activities.

In accordance with Utah State Code 53B-1-110, appointment to this position is contingent upon the successful passing of a background check.

Applicants need to apply online at http://jobs.suu.edu (Job #S1600085) or use the direct link at http://jobs.suu.edu/postings/1182 and click on “Apply for this posting”.

Individuals are asked to attach, electronically, the following required documents:  a cover letter, resume/CV, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references.

First consideration of applications will begin 2/25/2017.   If you have questions or problems with the application process, contact Human Resources at jobs@suu.edu or (435)865-8572.  Southern Utah University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.