"Curator of Student Exhibitions and Programs - VCU School of the Arts - The Anderson"

Curator of Student Exhibitions and Programs

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, The Anderson

Start Date: Fall 2025

Application due date: September 1, 2025. Applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

This opportunity is being advertised as a multi-series recruitment. The selected finalist could be hired in one of several job titles under the Museums & Fine Arts job family. A job title will be identified based on the required and preferred experience and education of the selected candidate.

The Opportunity:

The highly ranked Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts) seeks a dynamic curator with strong administrative skills and leadership experience to establish collaborative relationships across VCUarts, VCUarts Qatar, the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) and cultural centers across the city. The Curator must be prepared to contribute to pedagogical, curatorial and student programming initiatives that may include the ICA, the Joseph H. Seipel Gallery in the Murry N. DePillars Building, and the future CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation (CCAI).

Additionally, the Curator of Student Exhibitions and Programs will build upon the unique, student-centered approach to curating student exhibitions and programs in the VCUarts Anderson building, which offers variously configured exhibition/programming spaces that total 6,200 square feet. The innovative vision for the Anderson building is expected to appeal to students in all disciplines within VCUarts, compel them to think practically and critically about how they present their work, support their professional development, and celebrate their highly inventive creative energy.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, this full-time, 10-month university and academic professional (UAP) staff position offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits, a robust leave plan, and retirement plans that pro-rated based on a 10-month work period. The 10-month work period aligns with the University’s academic calendar and is effective each year for the period beginning August 10 through June 9.

Major Responsibilities:

• Create and execute a schedule of exhibitions and programs that feature student artworks, performances, curatorial projects, and other student endeavors across the School
• Support and enrich the educational, research, and outreach aspirations of VCUarts by working collaboratively with school and departmental leaders, faculty, staff, and other relevant stakeholders on programming that engages external artists, performers and culture-producers
• Facilitate all aspects of exhibitions and program requirements including insurance coverage, transportation of art works, documentation of art works, announcements and press releases
• Manage yearly budget and budget for each show and program
• Develop and teach one undergraduate course, offered at least once a year, which focuses on history and theory of curating exhibitions while also guiding students through the conceptual development and practical considerations of curating exhibitions
• Supervise an administrative coordinator
• Recruit, hire, train and supervise student gallery attendants and interns
• Collaborate with the ICA for annual thesis exhibitions
• Maintain appropriate mailing, email, social media, and other media contact lists
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Application Instructions: Only electronic applications will be accepted. The following documents should be submitted online via the VCU Jobs Website: Letter of Interest that includes an overview of professional experience, Resume/CV, List of three references including names with titles and contact information (references will not be contacted prior to a candidate’s approval). Click here for more information about The Anderson at VCUarts.

VCUarts: Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 175 full-time teaching and research faculty members and the school is supported by over 60 staff members that assist in daily processes. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city’s historic Fan District. Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care and business.

Qualifications:

Professional Qualifications and Qualities:

• Master's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Studio Art or an equivalent related degree is required
• Three years of curatorial experience in an art gallery, center or museum required
• Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism required to interact with a wide range of individuals within the School of the Arts, university and community
• Knowledge of scholarly discourse in curatorial/museum studies
• Demonstrated team-building and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to build effective long-term relationships both internally and externally and the ability to clearly articulate and advocate the goals of VCUarts
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD preferred
• Prior experience working in a university gallery or museum preferred

FLSA: University Employee

Job FTE: 100%

Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

E-Class: UF - University Employee FT

ORP Eligible: Yes

Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000

Compensation Type: Salaried

Target Hire Date: 9/25/2025

Contact Information for Candidates: VCUarts Human Resources, artshr@vcu.edu, (804) 828-2787