Application deadline: Open until filled
Start date: May/June 2016
Gwen Frostic School of Art
Western Michigan University
Richmond Center for Visual Arts
1903 W Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
The Gwen Frostic School of Art at Western Michigan University invites applications for the position of Director of Exhibitions, Richmond Center for Visual Arts beginning May/June 2016. This is a salaried year-round position.
The Richmond Center for Visual Arts features three main exhibition spaces: the Albertine Monroe-Brown Gallery for temporary exhibitions of national and international artists, the Rose Netzorg and James Wilfrid Kerr Permanent Collection Gallery for exhibitions of works from the University Art Collection, the Eleanor R. and Robert A. DeVries Student Art Gallery, and the Atrium Gallery for sound and video art.
Major responsibilities:
–Generate and design a yearly series of exhibitions and visiting artists for the Richmond Center for Visual Arts. Exhibitions in our contemporary art venue have a direct connection to the curricula of the Gwen Frostic School of Art. The Director functions as a bridge to our community and creates programming that serves as regional and national outreach for the School, College, and University.
–Research, write, and produce scholarly exhibition publications, gallery text, and promotional materials. Research artists for exhibitions and lecture series. The Director should promote and oversee a dynamic presence in traditional/social media for the Richmond Center.
–Supervise the University Art Collection, Chair the Sculpture Tour program, Chair the Exhibitions Committee, and administrate the Friends of the Richmond Center, our community advisory board.
–Provide programming for our exhibition schedule, lecture series, and Sculpture Tour program.
–Manage budgets for the Richmond Center for Visual Arts exhibitions, Sculpture Tour program, and exhibition endowments. Engage in fundraising, community outreach, and grant writing for the Richmond Center.
–Supervision of staff including a Registrar/Coordinator of Exhibitions and 6–8 student gallery assistants.
–Handling of works of art, construction of installation materials as needed, crating and packing works of art.
–Serve as Building Coordinator
Qualifications
MFA degree in visual arts, or MA in Museum/Curatorial Studies, or MA in Art History/Museum Management/Administration; experience in handling art, contracting exhibitions, and designing installations; prior experience in curatorial/museum/academic gallery administration; supervisory experience; three to five years experience required, five years experience preferred.
Successful candidates should have independent initiative, be passionate and confident, fluent in contemporary art discourse, familiar with leading contemporary artists and collectors, organized, responsible, charismatic, and an excellent writer and communicator.
The University
Western Michigan University (WMU), located in Southwest Michigan, is a vibrant, nationally recognized student-centered research institution with an enrollment of 25,000. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has placed WMU among the 76 public institutions in the nation designated as research universities with high research activities.
The College
The College of Fine Arts consists of the Gwen Frostic School of Art, Department of Dance, School of Music, and the Department of Theatre. All four units are nationally accredited.
The School
The Gwen Frostic School of Art is one of four units in the College of Fine Arts and is comprised of 350 art majors, 21 full-time faculty, 12-15 part-time faculty, and eight staff. The school is NASAD accredited and offers degrees in Art, Art History, Art Education, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Metals/Jewelry, Painting, Photography/Intermedia, Printmedia, and Sculpture; the school resides in 40,000 sq. ft. of new galleries, lecture halls, classrooms, design and art studios in the Richmond Center for Visual Arts and 88,000 sq. ft. of renovated classrooms and art studios in South Kohrman Hall.
Kalamazoo
Western Michigan University is located in the arts-friendly community of Kalamazoo, Michigan, a metropolitan area of 250,000 residents located halfway between Chicago and Detroit.
Application
Include a cover letter highlighting your qualifications, resume, professional writing sample, a portfolio of exhibitions curated, or a website address where this visual information can be viewed, and a list of three references.
Salary
Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, with an excellent benefits package.
Western Michigan University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer consistent with applicable federal and state law. All qualified applicants may apply.
