Job Description
Curator/Art Gallery Manager
POSITION DETAILS
Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (CUNY) seeks a Curator (Art Gallery Manager) to run the art gallery: curate exhibitions, establish public programming and assume administrative responsibilities of the facility. The Curator will plan, lead, and manage daily gallery operations, staffing, scheduling, and workflows. The Curator is a full‑time, in‑person position which will report to the Department Chair.
The 7000 square foot Art Gallery at Brooklyn College is a vibrant hub for artists, faculty, students, and the surrounding communities. Under the direction of the Art Department, through high quality curated exhibitions, we showcase an array of works across media that introduce a rich diversity of professional artistic practices of local and diasporic artists.
Our exhibitions support the educational and cultural diversity of the college and Brooklyn residents. We seek to educate our students through experiential learning in the fine arts including new media, art history, and beyond, expanding their career opportunities and drawing them into the process of exhibition production and design.
In addition to the CUNY Title Overview, the Curator/Art Gallery Manager’s duties include but are not limited to:
EXHIBITION MANAGEMENT
Develop and present a two‑year prospective schedule of exhibitions and programming for approval by the gallery committee. This includes one major exhibition per year.
Work with the MFA and BFA Deputies to curate, plan, and mount the MFA spring thesis and BFA spring capstone thesis exhibitions.
Organize public programming related to the Art Department and gallery exhibitions.
Set and track annual plans for outreach and marketing in collaboration with the Art Department, Brooklyn College Communications, and external partners (digital campaigns, social media, press, newsletters, community outreach, printed marketing).
Maintain catalog of exhibited works: object descriptions, provenance, condition notes, photography, and reference material.
Oversee curatorial planning for all exhibitions. Including but not limited to: inventory management, artwork documentation, task lists, installation plan, deinstall plan, interpretive text, wall text, labels, tours scripts.
Prepare detailed exhibition and programming budgets. Including but not limited to shipping, installation costs, honoraria, and miscellaneous costs.
Distribute and collect loan forms and return receipts. The curator must be present to assess the condition of works upon gallery arrival and departure.
Write catalogue texts (online or in print) and work with Brooklyn College designers on catalogues.
Ensure artworks arrive from sources exhibition ready (framed, etc.).
Schedule a photographer/videographer to document gallery programming, openings, events, lectures, etc.
GENERAL MANAGERIAL
Assist in hiring and supervision of interns, work‑study students, and ancillary support staff (i.e. installers, photographers, caterers).
Coordinate with Brooklyn College cross‑functional departments to address gallery needs: custodial, electrical, lighting, HVAC, repairs, maintenance, ITS/network connectivity, and security.
Seek out internal (CUNY) and external funding (e.g. grants, fellowships, etc.) to support gallery programming and operations.
Ensure gallery and its contents are safe and secure. Work with Public Safety to ensure security gates, cameras, doors, and alarms are operational, maintained and protocols are in place.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Attend monthly Gallery Committee and Art Department meetings and provide updates.
Write and distribute gallery newsletter. Maintain gallery mailing list.
Other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree and six years’ related experience required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
MFA, MA in Curatorial Practice, or an MA or Ph.D. in Art History (completed or in progress), and six years of significant curatorial or related experience.
Expertise in running a small museum or non‑profit organization is preferred.
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW
Manages a campus museum, gallery, or art facility.
Creates, curates and promotes high quality exhibitions; fosters educational programs around exhibits and/or collections.
Oversees various functions of the Center/Museum, including but not limited to budget, installations, contract negotiation, publicity and artistic focus.
Cultivates and maintains community and cultural relationships and partnerships; develops sponsorship initiatives and secures other funding opportunities.
Works with campus academic and administrative departments to support College’s mission and goals.
Hires and supervises staff as needed.
May act in absence of Director.
Performs related duties as assigned.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
$74,249
CUNY’s benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well‑being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
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Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Local area