Assistant Professor of Art History and Director of Galleries

Job Details

Assistant Professor of Art History and Director of Galleries

Job Class Code: 10031
FLSA: Exempt
Posting Number: FRGV1880
Location: Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Division/Organization: Provost - Academic Affairs
Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position:
Tenure Status: Tenure Track
FTE: 1

Scope of Job:

The School of Art and Design at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Art History and Director of Galleries to start Fall 2026. The Director will be responsible for managing the galleries at two locations: the main facility in Edinburg, located two miles from the main campus, and the satellite facility on the Brownsville campus. The role of the Gallery Director is a pivotal position that blends curatorial expertise, gallery management, and art history knowledge. As the steward of the campuses' galleries, the Director is responsible for implementing the exhibition calendar, managing gallery operations, collaborating with faculty, supervising the budget, installing and deinstalling visiting artists and faculty exhibitions, organizing workshops and lectures with visiting artists, fostering relationships with artists, and engaging in community outreach. They will also be responsible for managing the University's Permanent Art Collection.

As a faculty member, the Director is expected to teach 3 classes (2 / 1 teaching load) per year in their areas of expertise in the Bachelor's/Master of Fine Arts (B.A./BFA/MFA) program, advise students, and maintain an active research agenda. Teaching assignments include Art History Survey courses and seminars in their areas of expertise. This position offers exciting opportunities for collaboration with the Public Heritage & Community Engagement degree in the College of Liberal Arts, as Museum Studies classes taught in the Art History program are part of the core curriculum, and several internship opportunities are available at local museums. The Department welcomes research profiles that may include international collaboration, curatorial scholarship, public scholarship or outreach, archive initiatives, activism, cultural revitalization, historical conservation, or other modes of intellectual and institutional labor. The UTRGV School of Art has 1000 majors and 33 graduate students enrolled in the areas of foundation, painting, drawing, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, printmaking, graphic design, art history, photography, and art education. The department comprises 10 tenured faculty members, 8 tenure-track faculty members, and 19 lecturers.

About UTRGV:

UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of University discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit our website.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Terminal degree (PhD.) in Museum Studies, Art History, or other related fields.
• A record of professional activity and/or research that demonstrates curatorial experience and gallery management.
• Proven track record of successful exhibitions and events, and strong leadership and team management skills.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Applicants should have a working knowledge of art handling, which includes installation, transport, lighting, budget management, purchasing equipment, coordinating events such as exhibitions, receptions, workshops, and lectures, and knowledge of using museum software such as Past Perfect.
• A commitment to quality, student-centered education, working as a team member, and a demonstrated and ongoing commitment to serving diverse student populations is necessary.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in overseeing gallery management or curatorial experience in organizing exhibitions, overseeing budget, and managing and leading gallery staff.
• Experience in maintaining records and art inventory, coordinating events, and outreach.
• Teaching experience in a college or university setting, demonstrating familiarity with best teaching practices, inclusive strategies, and new technologies.

Preferred Qualification:

Experience in grant writing is desirable, as well as the ability to use technology to support teaching and learning.

Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
License or Certification Required?: No
Number of Vacancies: 1
Desired Start Date: 09/01/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Dear Applicant,

Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following:

• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number
• Gender
• Ethnicity/Race

Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

Upload the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• List of 3 References
• Letter of Interest
• Unofficial Transcripts (graduate and undergraduate - Once hired, an official transcript is required).
• Teaching Philosophy - (one-page maximum - Statement of teaching philosophy as related to design pedagogy and practice).
• Research Statement - (one-page maximum - Statement of Research goals and practice/interests.
• 2 publications (e.g., journal articles, book chapters, catalogue chapters, or catalogue entries) or a sample of a gallery catalogue featuring an exhibition curated or installed by the candidate.

Additional Information:

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Please Note:
Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English todemonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based
test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61)
on the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score
of 6.0 on the
International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Incomplete
applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to
budget approval.

To apply, visit https://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/48892