Job Description

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** Cover letter required for all positions and optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality positions unless otherwise specified. Job Description Summary The Acquavella Curator of Collections and Director of University Galleries will lead Wake Forest Universitys art collection and galleries to foster meaningful connections between the universitys art resources and its educational mission and strategic framing. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the university's visual arts programming and steward its growing collection (with an emphasis on modern and contemporary art) while engaging with a vibrant academic community.

This role combines curatorial expertise with administrative leadership to advance the Wake Forest Universitys Art Collections and Galleries impact on the campus and broader community. The University Art Collection contains over 2,000 works within nine collections that are displayed in approximately 35 on-campus and off-campus locations and includes two galleries spanning three locations. Of note, the Mark H. Reece Collection of Student-Acquired Contemporary Art, established in 1962, enables students to partner with art faculty and the Acquavella Curator to purchase contemporary art to reflect the times. The university's art galleries include the Hanes Gallery, which host exhibitions and programming to support learning across the college, and the stArt (student art) Gallery, which supports student art and connections with the local community.

The Acquavella Curator of Collections and Director of University Galleries works closely with many on-campus and off-campus partners, including the universitys Art Department, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, and Wake Downtown to co-create experiential learning opportunities for students and promote visual arts, with an emphasis on modern and contemporary art, within the community.

The position will remain open to applications until it is filled. All applications received by March 5, 2025 will be reviewed for consideration. Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Oversees stewardship of the University Art Collections, which has an emphasis on modern and contemporary art, by executing collections care policies, coordinating conservation activities, monitoring the movement of collections at all stages of storage, use, and display, managing the central collections management system, revising standards for object and constituent cataloging by updating guidelines. and maintaining ongoing research and documentation about works in the collection.
• Leverages the University Art Collections, Galleries, and other internal resources to create exhibitions, programming, projects, and learning experiences through collaborations with faculty and students across disciplines.
• Organizes meaningful displays of objects within the galleries and a variety of spaces around campus that further the educational mission of the university.
• Collaborates with University Advancement to strategically seek artwork donations that enhance the existing collection, support curriculum, and learning outcomes, and secure additional funding to achieve the goals of the University Art Collections & Galleries.
• Engages with students in exhibition development, curricular experiences, programming, direct care, and other activities.
• Supervises a team that includes an Assistant Director of Hanes Gallery , stArt Galleries Manager, Collections Manager, Art Handler/Installer, student workers, and interns and chairs the University Art Collections and Galleries Advisory Committee.
• Manages the budget and resources within the University Art Collections and Galleries unit.

Other Functions:

• Serves as a resource person and a representative for questions, problems, and activities concerning the University Art Collections and Galleries.
• Collaborates and communicates with on-campus and off-campus partners to co-create experiential learning opportunities for students and promote visual arts.
• Advocates for the incorporation of the University Art Collections in different spaces and locations.
• Coordinates with Facilities Management to maintain spaces used to display and store works.
• Develops, presents, and supports curricular opportunities through guest lectures and classroom support, with the Art Department and other interested faculty.
• Maintains positive relationships with university alumni pursuing careers or who have an interest in visual arts
• Extends the profile and reach of the University Art Collections and Galleries through association with similar outside arts entities, museums, galleries, curators, artists, arts professionals, and professional organizations.
• Engages in practices to make the universitys art collection and galleries accessible to faculty, students, and the community.
• Seeks to reflect diverse and underrepresented perspectives through the inclusion of new works within the collections and through exhibitions and programming.
• Mentors staff and students.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• At least an M.A. in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, or other relevant discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in an art museum, gallery, and/or curatorial setting.
• Ability to collaborate effectively
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to manage projects and deadlines independently
• Considerable knowledge of museum or gallery standards and best practices in the display, handling, procurement, and deaccession of artwork
• Skilled in Adobe Suite and Google Suite/MS Office
• Ability to supervise and train others
• High degree of professionalism, close attention to detail, collegiality, and ability to meet deadlines.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ph.D. in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, Collections Management, or relevant discipline
• At least 5 years of related experience in a university gallery setting or working with a university art collection
• Knowledge of modern and contemporary art
• Knowledgeable about registrarial and collections management
• Experience exhibiting art in multifunctional and non-traditional gallery/museum spaces
• Experience developing and executing innovative projects and aesthetically advanced exhibitions
• Ability to adapt to unforeseen situations, influence key stakeholders, and negotiate to achieve a desired outcome
• Strong public relations and customer service skills

Accountabilities:

• Supervises employees, student workers, and interns
• Responsible for security and safety practices associated with the handling of sensitive property (WFU Art Collections and other artworks)
• Responsible for budget

Physical Requirements:

• Medium work. Climbing, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, talking, hearing, repetitive motions.
• Close visual acuity.

Environmental Conditions:

• Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Disclaimer:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employees supervisor.

To help provide a safe learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final candidates being considered for employment.

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. Wake Forest University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in employment for individuals with disabilities.

Additional Job Description Time Type Requirement Full time Note to Applicant: This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor. In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment. Wa ke Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. Wake Forest University

Job Tags

Full time, Local area,

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