Curator of Education & Emerging Artist Programs [Rochester Art Center]

Position title

Curator of Education & Emerging Artist Programs

Reports to:
Executive Director

Classification:
Full-time, Exempt

Direct Report Personnel:
Assistant Curator of Education and Public Engagement, contract instructors, and visiting artists.

The Curator of Education & Emerging Artist Programs oversees Rochester Art Center’s visitor-centered approach to all art education programming, emerging artist initiatives, and public community engagement initiatives, including creating opportunities for all audiences to engage with contemporary art in meaningful and enjoyable ways. The Curator of Education & Emerging Artist Programs is primarily responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of all educational and emerging artists’ exhibitions, support, and projects.

Overall Responsibilities:

The Curator of Education & Emerging Artist Programs creates and manages a multidisciplinary education and curatorial program that nourishes the community’s sense of curiosity, adventure, and imagination. S/he will curate a program in which the museum environs function as a site for art, thought, respite, investigation, and experimentation. The appropriate candidate will have passion and compassion for the community that RAC serves. S/he will recognize the pretense and preconceptions that often come with understanding the value and role of contemporary art and will demonstrate an eagerness to develop new working modes and language that are respondent to artists, artistic practices, viewers, and our specific place and time.

Job Duties:

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for an education and public engagement program that reflects current global contemporary art practices and perspectives.
• Curate the RAC’s 3rd Floor Emerging Artists exhibition series and write original essays (4 annually).
• With Chief Curator and Preparator design and install exhibitions.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop a common language and a strategy for discourse related to exhibitions to be shared with volunteers, interns, gallery attendants, and staff.
• With Chief Curator generate original content and provide context for exhibition related programs, family guides, newsletters, and marketing.
• Curate exhibitions and programs with various community groups: middle and high school, seniors, design and architecture groups, and others.
• Create exhibition narratives and tour outlines each season for both adults & children.
• Assist development department in targeting grants, identifying funding, and locating resources.
• Coordinate and assist with budgets, grant writing, and calendars with appropriate staff.
• With the Assistant Curator of Education & Public Engagement:
• Plan, produce, and document Free Family Days and other Educational events for the museum.
• Design activities that function with current exhibitions at the art center, current city-wide programs, and other pertinent arts-related events.
• Oversee Total Arts Day Camp, Rochester Art Center’s summer camp program, including hiring and training instructors, booking visiting artists, ordering supplies, and maintaining a balanced budget.
• Direct two afterschool teen programs.
• Form strategic alliances with teachers and administrators at area K-12 schools and strengthen relationships with faculty at local colleges through curriculum sharing or other joint projects.
• Create and implement a new docent program.
• Identify opportunities to partner with diverse community groups and under-served populations.

ROCHESTER ART CENTER VISION

To be a cultural center for innovation and creativity through contemporary art.

MISSION

Rochester Art Center offers the opportunity for all people to understand and value the arts through innovative experiences with contemporary art.

Please send a letter of interest, resume, and the names of three references to jlovelace@rochesterartcenter.org.  No phone calls please.

Qualifications:

• Degree in art history, fine arts, museum education, museum studies, or related field. Master’s Degree preferable.
• Extensive knowledge of art history, studio art, art appreciation, and public engagement practices.
• Understanding of current museum teaching strategies, learning theory, and best practices.
• Curatorial interest and experience with emerging artists and exhibition installation process.
• Experience in museum or arts education developing and planning programs.
• Articulate verbal, writing, editorial skills, and public speaking experience.
• Entrepreneurial with the ability to develop innovative and accessible art programs related to exhibitions, contemporary discourse, and current events.
• Proven ability to work with diverse constituencies including schools, community agencies, health communities, social agencies, and cultural institutions.
• Background in fostering universal access for arts and cultural organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and aptitude to work with and inspire a team.
• Inventive problem solver with ability to multi-task, work under pressure, and establish and meet deadlines.
• Supervisory experience is desirable.
• Must be able to work a varied schedule including some evenings and weekends.