Director, Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery [Keene State College]

Keene State College seeks a dynamic Director to bring artistic vision, leadership, and administrative experience to the Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery, beginning July 1, 2015.  The Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery serves both the college and the community, operating in an area of New Hampshire rich in artists, nonprofit art centers and art venues.  The Director is responsible for crafting a year-round schedule of exhibitions that are challenging, innovative, and socially relevant, including originally curated exhibitions, student and faculty exhibitions, and exhibitions utilizing the gallery’s permanent collection. The permanent collection consists of Dublin Art Colony works by Alexander James, Richard Meryman, Joseph Lindon Smith, and Barry Faulkner, as well as works by contemporary artists, such as George Rickey, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Jules Olitski.  The permanent collection consists of nearly 400 pieces, including paintings, prints, photographs, and sculpture.

Reporting to the Dean of Arts and Humanities, the Director must be an engaging leader, capable of building relationships with a wide range of constituents including students, faculty, staff, community members, and donors.  The Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery is a primary element in the College’s planned Visual and Media Arts Center, and the Director will help shape the vision for the gallery’s collaborative role in this dynamic new facility.  S/he will develop educational programming that reaches diverse audiences through school programs, lectures, symposia, artist-led family programs, public tours, performances, studio demonstrations, and partnerships with other campus and community organizations.  The director will play a vital role in strengthening the art gallery as an important destination in an active regional arts environment, and as a critical component of the strategic priorities of a public liberal arts college.  The gallery is supported by volunteers and an exhibits advisory board.  The gallery celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2015-16, and the Director will play a central role in related exhibits, programming and community engagement.  We are committed to diversity and multiculturalism, and strongly encourage individuals to apply who will contribute to the College’s ongoing efforts to provide opportunities to help students become responsible global citizens.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Curate, budget, design, install, and promote a year-round schedule of exhibitions of regional, national, and international scope.
2. Work with the College’s Marketing and Communication Office to create effective publicity and promotion for gallery activities.
3. In cooperation with the offices of Advancement and Sponsored Projects, plan, develop, and implement strategies for generating resources and/or revenues for the organization through philanthropy, sponsorships and grants.
4. Direct the overall vision for the continuing display, care, and collection of the objects in the College’s collections, and work with the campus and local community to foster interest in and access to the collections.
5. In collaboration with volunteers and other community partners, build educational outreach and programming in the community.
6. Collaborate with the Art Department and with faculty and centers across campus to integrate the gallery experience into curricula, co-curricular activities, and scholarship.
7. Represent the art gallery through leadership on various committees both inside and outside the college.
8. Supervise and manage gallery staff, student workers, and volunteers, and determine gallery maintenance needs.
9. Will have the opportunity to teach at least one course per year in an area of the Director’s specialty.

Qualifications Required: A Master’s Degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Studio Art or a related field; at least five years of museum/gallery curatorial experience at a level appropriate to the position’s responsibilities; substantial knowledge of the history of art, including contemporary art and design; proven leadership skills; an appreciation and commitment to the public dimension of visual arts organizations and to public service; fiscal management skills; supervisory skills; and demonstrated abilities in marketing and community relations.

Additional Desirable Qualifications: A terminal degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Studio Art or a related field; experience in and ability to work effectively within an academic environment; experience with strategic planning.  Starting salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, complemented by a generous benefits package; minimum starting salary of $61,690.

Application: Apply online at: https://jobs.usnh.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=54826

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online:

• Letter of application addressing the above responsibilities and qualifications
• Resume
• Contact information for three (3) references

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin January 5, 2015 and will continue until the position is filled or otherwise closed at the college’s discretion. 

Keene State College is located in the center of New England in the beautiful Monadnock region. Art centers of Boston, Montreal, New York City and North Adams are 2-4 hours away.  To learn more about Keene State College, the University System of New Hampshire, and the Keene community, visit: http://www.keene.edu http://www.usnh.edu/ or http://www.KeeneNH.com

Keene State College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is engaged in an effort to build a community that reflects the diversity of society.  The College prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or marital status. 

A Master’s Degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Studio Art or a related field; at least five years of museum/gallery curatorial experience at a level appropriate to the position’s responsibilities; substantial knowledge of the history of art, including contemporary art and design; proven leadership skills; an appreciation and commitment to the public dimension of visual arts organizations and to public service; fiscal management skills; supervisory skills; and demonstrated abilities in marketing and community relations.