Lehigh University seeks a dynamic and visionary Director for the Lehigh University Art Galleries, an appointment with faculty status at the rank of Professor of Practice in the Department of Art, Architecture and Design of the College of Arts and Sciences. The position presents an exceptional opportunity for
an individual with demonstrated experience in museum leadership to lead an art gallery and teaching museum within one of the nation’s premier research universities, in an academic environment committed to undergraduate education.
As the chief administrative officer of the Lehigh University Art Galleries, the Director will be responsible for the administration and oversight of all programming and operations for the gallery. This includes shaping a strategic vision for exhibitions and educational programming that support the university’s core teaching and research mission; the care and stewardship of the gallery’s teaching collection; supervision of staff, student interns, and volunteers; budget management, fundraising, and donor development; marketing and communications; and a broad mission of public engagement intended to expand the impact and visibility of the gallery, its exhibitions, and collection within and beyond the campus community, and to enhance its regional and national reputation.
The Director will have demonstrated accomplishments and expertise in the above areas of administration, and a clear vision of what it means to be a vibrant and public-facing gallery and teaching museum in an interdisciplinary research university setting. Outstanding organizational management skills, excellent communication and presentation abilities, and an ability to build close working relationships within a larger institutional setting are required. The Director will hold a concurrent appointment as Professor of Practice in the Department of Art, Architecture and Design, teaching 1 to 2 courses per academic year in his or her area of expertise, preferably museum studies, curatorial practice, art history, or a closely related discipline.
Preference will be given to candidates who have prior teaching experience and at least 8 years of cumulative experience working in the museum or gallery setting, with some portion of that time spent in an advanced administrative or curatorial role. Eligible candidates will hold a master’s degree or higher in museum studies, administration, or education; curatorial studies; art history; fine arts; or other related field of study relevant to museum practice.
This is a full-time (11 month) non-tenure track, renewable position with an initial three-year appointment, reporting to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2018.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a cover letter; curriculum vitae; a brief 3-4 page statement outlining their strategic vision of the role and potential of academic galleries and teaching museums in contemporary higher education; and contact information for three professional references. All materials should be submitted through Academic Jobs Online at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/9326. Review of applications will begin on November 1 and will continue until the position has been filled.
About Lehigh
A private and highly selective institution ranked among the top 40 national research universities by U.S. News & World Report, Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia. It serves a community of over 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students from the United States and across the world. The Lehigh University Art Galleries has eight full-time staff and four campus gallery spaces, including a 6,000 square foot main gallery in the university’s Zoellner Arts Center and an extensive outdoor sculpture collection. Established in 1927, it presents a rotating schedule of exhibitions and selections from a distinguished teaching collection of more than 14,000 works of art, with extensive holdings in 19th-century through contemporary art from North America, Latin America, and Europe, particularly photography and works on paper. The Department of Art, Architecture and Design is an undergraduate department with 15 full-time faculty serving approximately 90 majors and 60 minors. It offers major and minor programs in art, architecture, design, and art history, with an additional minor program in museum studies.
Lehigh University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. It seeks faculty and staff who will promote an inclusive community that affirms and advances the diverse backgrounds and experiences of its members. Lehigh offers excellent benefits, including domestic partner benefits, and is committed to helping employees balance the responsibilities of their professional and personal lives (http://www.lehigh.edu/~inprv/faculty/worklifebalance.html).
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