The University of Maryland Art Gallery at College Park is now accepting applications for its first Curator-in-Residence program. Starting in July 2017, the successful candidate will participate in a one-year residency in which they will originate and present two exhibitions and related public programs. The Curator-in-Residence will work closely with the Executive Director of the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland as well as the Assistant Director of The University of Maryland Art Gallery.
The University of Maryland Art Gallery is pleased to launch its first Curator-in-Residence program with the main objective of engaging an experienced curator with The University of Maryland Art Gallery and the community it serves. The successful candidate will curate innovative exhibitions and assist The University of Maryland Art Gallery with developing programs that promote greater accessibility to both the university community and the general public. The Curator-in-Residence will serve as a professional resource for students, local artists, and arts professionals, both at the University of Maryland and in the local communities of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, and must have a keen interest in understanding and working with university students and artists.
The Curator-in-Residence’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Curate two exhibitions of diverse mediums of professionally high-profile contemporary artists
- Provide content (e.g. checklist, introduction) for catalogues, brochures, press releases, and all related publicity material, etc., as well as prepare didactic text for exhibitions
- Write essays when required for individual exhibition publications
- Suggest and assist with selecting speakers for guest lectures, gallery tours, artist residencies, etc.
- Present a curator talk, at least one per exhibition
- Organize a two-hour seminar in curatorial practices and studies for undergraduate and graduate students, one per semester
- Write one or two critiques and reviews about a local art exhibition for publication in local, regional, and/or national platform
- Make recommendations for future gallery programming and assist with identifying a potential Curator-in-Residence for the following year
Minimum required qualifications:
- An MFA or MA in Art History, Museum Studies, or another relevant related field
- Demonstrated knowledge of a particular historical period, preferably modern and contemporary art
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills are essential
- Creative individual with the capacity to take initiative, work well independently as well as with a team, and adjust easily to an ever-changing, demanding, arts organization
- Minimum of five years’ experience as curator in an academic museum, non-profit or similar setting
- Proven records of publications
- Teaching experience is preferred
The Curator-in-Residence is a part-time, outside consultant position; his/her presence at the University is required for nine visits, four days each, over the one-year period. Payment as an outside consultant will be provide monthly, at $2,200 each month (total $26,400 for twelve months), based on completion of the tasks required. The Curator-in-Residence will be involved in all curatorial aspects during the residency and will have full administrative support from the The University of Maryland Art Gallery, the David C. Driskell Center, and the University of Maryland.
To apply:
Please send the following documents to:
driskellcenter@umd.edu with subject: Curator-in-Residence_LASTNAME
- A one-page cover letter outlining curatorial interests, professional experience, and what you hope to accomplish in a twelve-month residency at The University of Maryland Art Gallery
- A résumé
- Five JPEGS of previous exhibitions and public events organized by the applicant
- One academic or critical writing sample
- One didactic writing sample for “general” audience
- Contact information for three professional references
About the University of Maryland Art Gallery
It is the mission of the University of Maryland Art Gallery to be a national leader in the exhibition of significant and challenging contemporary art with an emphasis on emerging and mid-career artists, a supporter of new and innovative scholarship, and a vital part of the local and University cultural landscape. Arts program goals include: to educate the university community as well as the general public from the greater Maryland and Washington, DC region on new and innovative scholarship on all art forms from diverse cultures; to play a primary role in the region’s artistic landscape as a venue promoting contemporary art and visual culture; to further distinguish the reputation of the University of Maryland by featuring our permanent art collection for study, research, and exhibition, and offering programming that complements academic objectives; and to provide arts programming and administration training to students through guided experiences in exhibition development and collection management. For additional information, please visit www.artgallery.umd.edu.
About the David C. Driskell Center
The David C. Driskell Center honors the legacy of David C. Driskell—Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Art, Artist, Art Historian, Collector, Curator, and Philanthropist—by preserving the rich heritage of African American visual art and culture. The Driskell Center is committed to preserving, documenting, and presenting African American art, as well as replenishing and expanding the field of African American art. The Driskell Center’s Art Collection includes drawings, paintings, prints, mixed media, and sculptures by well-known African American artists such as Benny Andrews, Aaron Douglas, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, David C. Driskell, Sam Gilliam, Jacob Lawrence, Keith Morrison, Faith Ringgold, Augusta Savage, Charles White, and William T. Williams. Its Archive Collections include the Professor David C. Driskell Archive of African American Art, the Robert E. Steele Archive, and the Faith Ringgold Archive, among others. For additional information, please visit www.driskellcenter.umd.edu
About University of Maryland
The mission of the University of Maryland, College Park is to provide excellent teaching, research, and service. The University educates students and advances knowledge in areas of importance to the State, the nation, and the world. The University is committed to being a preeminent national center for research and for graduate education, and the institution of choice for Maryland’s undergraduates of exceptional ability and promise. For additional information, please visit www.umd.edu.
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