AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

from e-flux

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts
Seeking Associate Director of Visual Arts

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts
283 Washington Terrace
Middletown, CT 06459-0442
USA

www.wesleyan.edu

Opened in the fall of 1973, Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts exists to catalyze people's creativity by engaging them in the dynamic work of diverse artists. Reporting to the Director of the Center for the Arts, the Associate Director of Visual Arts is responsible for planning, publicizing, and presenting visual arts exhibitions at Wesleyan University. This work includes curating some shows unique to Wesleyan, working with visiting curators to develop other exhibitions, and teaching student curators how to cultivate their own exhibitions. Some of these exhibitions will draw on Wesleyan's own talent and resources, such as the faculty and students of the renowned Art and Art History Department, and the many collections on campus—particularly the Davison Art Center collection of more than 25,000 prints, drawings, and photographs; and the Freeman collection of East Asian art. Other exhibitions will take advantage of Wesleyan's involvement in the prominent regional art scene centered on New York, just 100 miles from Wesleyan, while others will involve national and international collaborations.

The Associate Director of Visual Arts will have primary responsibility for four exhibition spaces. The Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery is a nationally recognized contemporary art gallery dedicated to presenting groundbreaking solo and group exhibitions and installations that explore contemporary issues, often through an interdisciplinary lens. Site specific projects that take advantage of the gallery's unique and majestic 3,500 square foot space have also been featured.

The College of East Asian Studies Gallery is a 500 square foot exhibition space at Wesleyan's prominent Mansfield Freeman Center. The Davison Art Center, and the South Gallery attached to the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery, are both flexible spaces, especially suitable for student thesis shows, student curatorial projects, and pop-up exhibitions.

The Associate Director of Visual Arts works collaboratively with the entire campus to develop and promote engagement with the visual arts. Particularly close colleagues include the Art and Art History Department, the Curator of the Davison Art Center, and the College of East Asian Studies. The Associate Director supervises the Gallery Supervisor and the Program Manager at the Center for the Arts.

Responsibilities of the Associate Director of Visual Arts position include: determining and establishing, with the Center for the Arts Director and in consultation with stakeholders, a comprehensive strategic vision for visual arts exhibitions on the Wesleyan University campus; developing a curatorial plan for all gallery spaces, and creating a robust exhibition program through a combination of curation, traveling exhibitions, visiting curators, and student curatorial projects; working on fundraising for Wesleyan University's exhibition program in conjunction with the Director of the Center for the Arts, other stakeholders, and University Relations; overseeing publications accompanying exhibitions; designing and bringing to fruition, with the Program Manager, a range of companion public programs such as artist talks, panels, gallery discussions, and workshops; working with Wesleyan faculty to support inter-departmental collaborations and interdisciplinary curricular engagement with exhibitions and programs; engaging with students interested in learning about curating visual arts exhibitions, through teaching courses, running tutorials, training student curators, and/or overseeing student staffing; working with faculty and staff to publicize exhibitions across campus and beyond; and maintaining an active knowledge of current artist practices and exhibitions in the art world.

Apply for this position online here: https://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings/5858