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Director of Visual Arts-Lead Curator [Yerba Buena Center for the Arts]

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) is a multi-disciplinary contemporary arts center in San Francisco, California.  Opening in 1993 the Center was located South of Market in Yerba Buena Gardens. YBCA features visual art, performance, and film/video that celebrate local, national, and international artists and the Bay Area‘s diverse communities. YBCA programs year-round in two landmark buildings—the Galleries and Forum by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki and Theater by American architect James Stewart Polshek and Todd Schliemann.

YBCA is San Francisco’s center for art, collaboration, and social movement. The Center creates and facilitates leading edge exhibitions, performances, screenings, events, public projects, think tanks, partnerships and convening’s both at the Center and throughout the community focused on the big questions and stories of today.  YBCA’s mission is to put art and creativity at the center of life, and YBCA’s vision states that art is everywhere, contributing to a more inspired, generous, and thoughtful world.  YBCA currently has a board of 15 and a fulltime staff of 72 with approximately 600 part-time and seasonal employees. The annual budget for YBCA is $21.6 million.

The Context and the Opportunity

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is in a unique position in the city of San Francisco, on the West Coast, and in the country to illuminate local and regional concerns and actively engage the biggest questions, challenges and opportunities we face today. The Center is looking for a visionary leader and curator who believes in the vital role that contemporary art plays in civic and public life and one who is inspired to work in and against dichotomies – art inside and outside; art and tech; art and design.

Position and Responsibilities

The Director of Visual Art-Lead Curator reports to the YBCA Chief Executive Officer and comes to the position with significant curatorial acumen including deep knowledge of contemporary art practice. S/he will be immensely collaborative and eager to work within and across disciplines. Along with a strong knowledge of contemporary art practice, the director of visual arts will have a history of creating innovative and provocative exhibitions both inside gallery walls and beyond. The director of visual arts will believe that a commitment to the full range of contemporary art is especially important, including the recognition that artists are breaking boundaries among and across disciplines and that contemporary artistic expression emanates from all cultures. S/he will strive for an inclusive, adventurous program encompassing diversity in content and among contributors in all exhibitions and programs.

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Create, curate and lead a visual arts program at YBCA that is vital to the region and beyond. Oversee the design and direct the installation of all YBCA exhibitions and visual arts programs. Meet the exhibition budget and schedule.
  • Lead with generosity and vision by building and leading a team that is valued and engaged with the program, the institution, and the field. Supervise and support the visual arts department. Work collaboratively with colleagues inside and outside of the organization to extend impact.
  • Build the community of stakeholders through development and communications staff to ensure a broad base of support. Collaborate with marketing to ensure clarity of brand and a continued growth in audience, donors and funders.
  • Provide stewardship in collaboration with Senior Exhibitions Manager and team, develop and manage department budget. Explore and realize viable sources of revenue and increased brand recognition including traveling exhibition program, publications, and more. Provide appropriate exhibition information for funding and publicity, and participate as appropriate in fundraising activities.
  • Demonstrate commitment to the public by providing visitors and participants with an experience that is dynamically relevant, poignant and offers hands-on opportunities to engage—with exhibition design, wall text, public programs, and more—that lead to new ways to engage people in contemporary art.
  • Provide leadership by being an inspiring, inclusive and generous leader who believes in her/his role in creating connection and opportunity for visitors, fellow YBCA staff, collaborators and the arts community at large.
  • Demonstrate passion and inspiration because you are inspired by the idea that there are new models for supporting artist and contemporary practice that emphasize citizenship, impact, and social justice.
  • Exhibit confidence in speaking in public, backing your teammates, and collaborating to raise funds and build a bold community of stakeholders.
  • Have experience working with major donors, funders, and boards.
  • Participate in YBCA educational programs through lectures and other programs for the guides, other organizations and appropriate school groups.
  • Promote the YBCA mission and goals at professional meetings and other outside activities.
  • Work with the YBCA Registrar in the care and safe transport of art works.
  • Participate in regular staff meetings to help coordinate exhibition schedules, budgeting, and staff allocation necessary to complete activities.
  • Develop a strong network of colleagues in the field of contemporary art.

The Director of Visual Arts provides leadership for Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in the area of contemporary art and visual culture. Working under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and in collaboration with the Chief of Program and Pedagogy and the curatorial team, the Director has primary responsibility for the design and execution of the Visual Arts program at YBCA. With the curatorial team and the Visual Arts department, the Director shapes the artistic agenda for the Visual Arts program through the research, development, and execution of curated exhibitions, public programs and projects, publications, and digital platforms at YBCA and in the community. The Director plays a vital role in fundraising and public and community relations; participates in strategic planning and budgeting; provides leadership to the Visual Arts department and collaborates closely with other departments to achieve YBCA’s vision.

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Characteristics

YBCA is looking for someone with passion and an entrepreneurial spirit, with willingness to challenge the status quo. This person will share a commitment to YBCA’s mission, vision, business model, and core values. The ideal candidate for this role has:

  • Significant, innovative record in the Visual Arts field with knowledge of the San Francisco Bay Area and connections across the globe.
  • 7-10 years of professional experience with emphasis on curatorial work.
  • Confidence in her/his ideas; can make timely decisions while bringing the team and collaborators along.
  • A demonstrated history of being a thought leader in the arts and beyond.
  • A strong network of relationships with other thought leaders and practitioners, and the demonstrated capacity to effectively engage and enlist field leaders in YBCA’s vision.
  • The ability to thrive in an ambiguous environment, provide leadership and direction to the team when there are curveballs, and to lead with inspiration, creativity, resilience and resolve.
  •  Adept at grant writing and fundraising and commitment to build momentum and excitement for our programs through successful grants, board recruitment and donors.
  • A high capacity to collaborate across matrixed teams, and the ability to exert influence both with and without formal authority.

Salary
Highly competitive and commensurate with experience.
Start Date
The position is open and will be filled at the earliest possible date.
Procedure for Application
Applicants should submit resumes and a one-page narrative describing their interest in the position and the experience that relates to the responsibilities described above. Applicants should send in the name of three references. Diane Frankel of Management Consultants for the Arts, an executive search firm working with YBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, will review applications. Recommendations for candidates are also welcome.

Send applications to: mcawall2@gmail.com
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Contact Person: Diane Frankel
Email Address: MCAWall2@gmail.com

1 Comment

  1. Husen Darmawan

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