Assistant Curator of Academic Programs [Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY]

The Assistant Curator of Academic Programs (the Curator) leads the Memorial Art Gallery’s (MAG) engagement with the University of Rochester’s (UR) community of faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students. S/he is responsible for integrating the assets of MAG into the UR academic community. The Curator will develop a plan for increasing MAG’s relevance to an ever-broader range of UR courses and academic disciplines. Possible initiatives might include working with faculty to identify works of art, exhibitions, installations, events and programs that could impact their curricula; working with faculty, staff, students and available resources—archives, collections, facilities—to facilitate partnerships and create exhibitions, installations, events and programs of mutual benefit to MAG’s audiences and the UR community; creating partnerships between MAG and River Campus to commission new works by contemporary artists. The Curator would be expected to develop and facilitate relationships between MAG and River Campus to inspire creative, innovative collaborations between faculty, staff, students, and the MAG.

The Curator reports to and supports the Director for Academic Programs at MAG in her efforts to set and implement MAG’s educational mission. The Curator is responsible for working collaboratively with colleagues in all related MAG and UR departments, is accountable for budget projections as regards UR academic engagement, and assists in fundraising for academic programs.

The Curator is an object and content expert with excellent communication skills who has a demonstrated ability to translate complex aesthetic, historical, and philosophical ideas and approaches across disciplines and across academic and non-academic constituencies. S/he understands and can navigate various academic hierarchies and constituencies, and works towards positive collaborative outcomes for all. The successful Curator will develop synergies between the MAG and River Campus and will help develop creative, innovative partnerships and projects.

With colleagues at UR: (70% total)

• (20%) Sets the programmatic focus of MAG’s engagement with the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program in UR’s College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering and delivers appropriate content; organizes campus and MAG visits; reserves classroom space at MAG, and, together with Curatorial colleagues, manages and oversees art movement when appropriate; and offers every UR freshman student the opportunity to engage meaningfully with MAG resources.

• (20%) Reviews Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program section themes with section leaders and investigates interconnections between sections and MAG’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. Suggests for consideration works of art temporarily on loan to MAG or from MAG’s permanent collection. Suggests readings relevant to section themes and identified works of art.

• (20%) Serves as a liaison with all related UR departments to promote the positive impact of MAG temporary exhibitions, permanent collection installations, and programs on UR curricula, campuses, and among the UR community. The option would exist to teach periodically or to work with college and/or graduate students.
• (10%) Researches, identifies, organizes, and initiates new initiatives for MAG/UR engagement.

With colleagues at MAG: (30% total)

• (10%) Assists with the planning and implementation of Public Programs related to the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions as warranted .

• (10%) Assists the Curatorial Department as an education partner on permanent collection installations as warranted; contributes expertise on art historical matters; is a reference and voice for audience advocacy, with particular emphasis on UR community advocacy.
• (10%) Supports the Exhibitions Department in planning and implementing academic programming for future exhibitions as warranted; contributes expertise on art historical matters; is a reference and voice for audience advocacy, with particular emphasis on UR community advocacy.

This position appointment is for one year, with the option of being renewed.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Art History/Visual & Cultural Studies (ABD acceptable), or related field of Education. Museum experience, or experience working directly with art objects is desirable. Excellent communication, organizational and public speaking skills. On-site time includes days/evenings/weekends as appropriate.