Assistant Curator, Visual Arts Center

Job Posting Title:

Assistant Curator, Visual Arts Center

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Hiring Department:

Department of Art and Art History

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The VAC is a 13,000 square-foot gallery situated in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. The mission of the VAC is to provide a platform for artists, curators, and educators to experiment, test ideas, and take risks. Through their exhibitions and public programs, the VAC aims to spark generative conversations about art and contemporary society. The VAC is always free and open to the public. 

This job description may not include all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described. Even if you don't qualify or have specific experience in every facet of this role, we encourage you to apply for any role you're personally interested in and excited to drive positive change at the VAC. This position is based in Austin, Texas.  If relocating from outside the area, the appointment may begin with a limited period of 100% remote work.  Under normal circumstances, this position may allow for occasional instances of remote work on a limited basis.   

Purpose

The Assistant Curator of the VAC is responsible for realizing exhibitions, public programs, and publication projects in collaboration with international, national, and local artists and curators, academics, and students. Working in close collaboration with the VAC director and VAC curatorial fellow, the assistant curator will develop original projects, steward traveling exhibitions, conceive public programs, and produce research and pen texts on contemporary art and artists. In addition to producing public-facing projects with students, university staff, and internationally recognized artists, the assistant curator serves as the principal contact for the annual VAC artist-in-residence (AIR), working with the artist to realize commissioned projects for presentation in a solo exhibition at the VAC.

The successful candidate must be a skilled writer, editor, and researcher with strong project management and organizational skills, attention to detail, and facility for establishing and maintaining processes for a very active program. The assistant curator reports to the director of the VAC, works collaboratively with other members of the VAC team, and will interface with faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Art and Art History and with partners across the university. 

Responsibilities

• Conceive, develop, and steward the presentation of exhibitions, public programs, and publications in collaboration with the VAC director, curatorial fellow, preparator, and VAC staff. 

• Oversee exhibition and programming-related logistics such as developing and tracking project timelines, exhibition checklists, budgets, shipping schedules, condition reports, and contract/loan agreements with artists, partner institutions, and vendors.

• Write exhibition texts, including wall labels, didactics, gallery guides, and content for use in the VAC gallery and on the VAC website, press outlets, and grant proposals. 

• Serve as the principal contact for the VAC’s annual artist-in-residence (AIR); develop AIR exhibitions and programs in collaboration with the VAC curatorial team. 

• Support and engage in the VAC’s fundraising efforts, including drafting grant proposals, donor asks, student fundraising campaigns, and partnerships.

• Liaise with the VAC Circle and College of Fine Arts Advisory Council by participating in meetings and developing presentations and reports for all curatorial and para-curatorial projects.

• Represent the VAC by participating in panels, symposia, and other forums; connect with local, national, and international peers, artists, students, and audiences.

• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, curatorial studies, or a related field.

• 2 years of curatorial experience at an art museum, contemporary art institution, or gallery.

• Broad knowledge of contemporary art and artists.

• Excellent attention to detail and impeccable organizational skills.

• A passion for writing and strong verbal communication skills.

• Ability to adhere to strict deadlines and tight budgets.

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