POSITION DESCRIPTION
CEPA Gallery seeks a dynamic, creative, and forward-thinking Curatorial Director to develop a compelling curatorial vision that aligns with CEPA/Big Orbit’s strong history of artistic success and current trends in museum and gallery practice.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Curatorial Director will curate a thought-provoking array of 10 to 18 exhibitions and public programs annually while reporting to the Executive Director to ensure alignment with CEPA Gallery’s mission, vision, history, and strategic plan, plus continue the organization’s historical reach outside the gallery walls.
The successful candidate will be able to deliver a responsive, stimulating, and effective array of programs, including gallery exhibits, public installations, members’ programs, lectures, and online exhibits/programs. S/he will develop an innovative and strategic long-term plan in conjunction with the Executive Director with original photo-based and intermedia projects that address the most relevant issues of our time while exploring photography’s evolving role as a democratic and accessible contemporary art form.
The successful candidate will provide leadership in fundraising and sponsorship efforts that support the exhibition programs and fiscal and conceptual partnerships with other organizations. While the Executive Director is responsible for the overall fiscal management of the organization, the Curatorial Director will be responsible for the financial management of all exhibition programs, including grant writing, fundraising, securing sponsors, and reporting.
Essential tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Conceive, plan, and execute 10 to 18 exhibitions annually including lectures, community engagement, and online events utilizing CEPA’s three gallery spaces.
- Interface with artists and curators; identify and secure exceptional artists, lecturers, and community engagement facilitators, to secure exhibition programming for up to 2 years in advance.
- Hands-on gallery management: ensure the timely delivery, staffing, preparation, safe installation/de-installation, exhibition insurance, and packing/shipping for each exhibition. Cultivate an open relationship with gallery installers, art handlers, and docents/volunteers.
- Maintain budgets for exhibition programs, ensure fiscal responsibility, and secure proper financing for all exhibition projects. Responsible for identifying and writing public and private grant applications for projects.
- Ensure that the organization acts in accordance with its strategic and operational goals; monitor and report progress toward these goals and work with the Executive Director to achieve them; report outcomes in a timely fashion.
- Work with the Executive Director to ensure adequate financial controls, visitor tracking, and reporting procedures for the exhibition programs, including revenue forecasting and budget analyses. Oversee exhibition fundraising: planning and operation of donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation program for gifts and grants at all levels.
- Maintain effective volunteer recruitment, especially with educational institutions, scheduling, and appreciation program to help support the gallery.
- Direct and prepare text for gallery signage, exhibition catalogs, the monthly members’ electronic newsletter Focus, and oversee an effective marketing and design effort for the exhibition programs, including plans for print, web, and social media marketing.
- Ensure proper care, interpretation, and stewardship of CEPA’s collection.
- Responsible for managing the Oseroff Memorial Prize juried competition and the annual CEPA and Big Orbit member’s exhibitions.
- Work in conjunction with the Education Director to conceptualize workshops and other community events.
- Expertise in and familiarity with artists and current trends in contemporary photography and artistic practices. Knowledge of the history of photography and art history.
- Track record of successful creative grant-writing, including experience in developing grant proposals for foundation and government funding.
- Strong communication and social skills, both oral and written; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders and staff members.
- A minimum of five years experience in leading programs or operations in a not-for-profit agency or other arts organization; experience in curation and gallery management.
- Collaborative leadership skills, including advocacy, negotiation, problem-solving, decision making, delegation, and employee development.
- Innovative and forward-thinking; capable of advancing the visibility and vitality of a mid-sized not-for-profit arts organization.
- Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university; Master’s degree preferred.
This is a full-time position. Hands-on participation is expected during evening and weekend events. Salary is negotiable, dependent upon experience and qualifications and commensurate with a fully-engaged, medium-scale not-for-profit arts organization in the $45,000-$55,000 range.
To apply, submit CV, cover letter, examples of curatorial projects, and supporting materials to: search@cepagallery.org.
The position will remain open until filled.
