"Director and Curator of Public Engagement and Research"

Job Description Summary

About ICA and Penn: The Institute of Contemporary Art is a non-collecting, research-driven contemporary art museum at the University of Pennsylvania. ICA is dedicated to presenting new work by emerging and established artists and to advancing public engagement as a form of research, experimentation, and civic exchange. As part of Penn, ICA serves students, faculty, and the broader public through exhibitions, programs, and partnerships that connect contemporary art to pressing cultural and social questions.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a Director and Curator of Public Engagement and Research to lead the museum's public-facing, educational, and research-driven work. Reporting to the Daniel Deitrich II, Director and serving as a key member of ICA's senior leadership team, this role advances ICA's artist-centered, non-collecting, and research-based mission through innovative public programs, artist-led interdisciplinary inquiries, community and campus partnerships, and pedagogical initiatives.

Grounded in the original meaning of "institute"-thus serving as a home for study and purpose-this position is central to ICA's identity as a new generation institution: radically welcoming to audiences, recognized as a testing ground by and for artists, and committed to inquiry, dialogue, and civic engagement.

Job Description

Institutional Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic leadership for ICA's public engagement and research initiatives in alignment with the museum's mission, values, and long-term goals.
• Serve on ICA's senior leadership team, contributing to institutional planning, sustainability, and organizational culture.
• Embed principles of inclusion, access, and justness across all areas of responsibility.

Public Engagement, Research, and Platforms

• Lead the development of research-informed public programs, artist-led projects, lectures, performances, symposia, and publications to extend, expand, and conceive of ICA's exhibitions and commissioned projects.
• Advance experimental pedagogical approaches, including co-production and collaborative knowledge-making with artists, scholars, students, and diverse communities.
• Oversee the conceptual development and production of interpretive and scholarly publications in collaboration with colleagues in Curatorial and Communications.

Community Engagement & Civic Impact

• Guide ICA's community engagement as a long-term, relationship-based practice rooted in reciprocity, accountability, and sustained partnership.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with artists, community organizations, educators, and civic partners throughout Philadelphia, nationally, and internationally, with particular attention to historically under-served communities.
• Integrate community engagement across exhibitions, public programs, publications, and pedagogy rather than isolating it as a standalone activity.
• Articulate the public value and impact of engagement initiatives to funders, partners, and stakeholders, supporting ICA's funding, visibility, and longevity.

Academic & University Engagement

• Strengthen ICA's role as a research and pedagogical resource for the University of Pennsylvania, as well as other local, national, and global learners.
• Coordinate student-facing initiatives, including undergraduate and graduate collaborations, class visits, and guest lectureships.
• Develop strategies to engage members of Penn's schools, centers, and research communities while expanding access for broader public audiences.

Team & Operational Leadership

• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams across public engagement, education, research, publications, archives, and visitor experience.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and intellectually rigorous working environment.
• Oversee program planning, budgets, workflows, and assessment to ensure operational excellence and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience, including senior-level leadership in public engagement, education, research, or curatorial practice within contemporary art or cultural institutions is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading research-based programs, publications, or public scholarship.
• Strong record of cross-departmental and cross-institutional collaboration and team leadership.
• Deep knowledge of contemporary art, critical pedagogy, and public humanities.
• Demonstrated commitment to socially responsive institutional practice.

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic and organizational leadership
• Community partnership development
• Experimental pedagogy and collaborative practice
• Integration of archival materials and familiarity with a range of publication and distribution platforms
• Commitment to ethical and accessible institutional design
• Clear, compelling communication with diverse stakeholders

Application Requirement

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Please note we are accepting applications for this role through March 27, 2026.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Institute of Contemporary Art

Pay Range

$93,500.00 - $120,000.00 Annual Rate