Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

About Albright College

Founded in 1856, Albright College is the oldest institution of higher learning in Berks County and one of the most economically and culturally diverse colleges in the country. Nationally ranked as a top performer for social mobility, Albright is home to about 1,600 residential undergraduate students from across the nation and around the globe, working together to cultivate integrity, curiosity, connection and resilience. Albright students are encouraged to cross or combine majors to create individualized academic programs, without taking longer to graduate. The college’s flexible curriculum, close faculty mentorship and numerous experiential learning options are all designed to help students exceed their own expectations.

At Albright, we believe our differences make us stronger and empower us to better understand and respect one another in a just and fair manner. With this in mind, the college recruits, houses, educates, employs, supports and generally celebrates people of all statuses, identities and backgrounds, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, religious or spiritual identity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, marital and parental status, veteran status, political affiliation and physical and mental ability. Albright College is an EEO employer, committed to inclusivity.  In alignment with this commitment, we actively encourage diversity in all dimensions among applicants for this position.  Read the college’s Inclusivity and Equity Statement online and learn more our demonstrated commitment to building an inclusive and equitable academic community.

Albright College is seeking applications for a Director and Curator for the Freedman Art Gallery. Plans and organizes the daily and long-term activities of the gallery. Provides leadership in the presentation, research, and display of contemporary American art consistent with the mission of the College and Freedman Gallery. Collaboratively creates and implements an exciting exhibition program to engage the campus and extended community. With the Director of the Center for the Arts (CFA), and other staff, plans and implements educational programs and marketing/PR efforts, plans and monitors budgets, writes grants and cultivates donors. Responsibilities include contract negotiation, staff and student supervision, research and writing for catalogues and exhibit didactics, and exhibit design and installation. Maintains and organizes all hard copy and digital records related to exhibitions. With the Curator of Collections & Registrar (CCR), conducts routine inventories and provides general care and recommendations for conservation needs of collection. Teaches two classes per academic year in art history and/or arts administration. Serves as the main staff liaison to the Visual Arts Committee (VAC), ensuring continued engagement with this vital advisory committee, and represents the gallery by actively engaging with external community arts partners and entities. Must demonstrate commitment to a collegial, professional, diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

Essential Job Functions

1. Works with the Director for the CFA, the VAC, and other faculty and staff to develop an annual exhibition schedule and curate exhibitions that engage the campus and community.
2. Works with the Director for the CFA to produce appropriate publications in conjunction with exhibitions and ensure that exhibitions are marketed to target audiences and research is documented; researches and writes essays or oversees the outsourcing of such for publications.
3. Designs exhibitions and creates plans for installation/deinstallation, and ensures the general physical ongoing operations of exhibits.
4. Coordinates openings and related programs for exhibitions in conjunction with the Director for the CFA and appropriate faculty/staff/volunteers.
5. Works with the Director for the CFA to prepare and monitor annual budget for gallery operations, to write grants, and to cultivate donors.
6. Conducts research on artists and artworks in the permanent collection, and pursuant to the mission, provides recommendations on proposed acquisitions to the VAC and administration.
7. Acts as the main staff liaison to the VAC, working with the chair to plan meeting agendas and distribute minutes and reports, and communicates with administration via the DACR regarding annual committee appointments, acquisition proposals, and other priorities.
8. Acts as liaison with the local arts community and promotes College/community relations.
9. Supervises and schedules student gallery attendants, interns, and related staff/volunteers.
10. Provides basic collections care, working with the CCR on inventories, and ensuring that the digital database (Past Perfect) is updated along with external databases (ArtStor).
11. Negotiates and issues contracts for exhibitions.
12. Maintains all hard copy and digital records related to exhibitions, archiving these as needed.
13. Teaches two courses per academic year, typically in art history and arts administration.
14. Performs a variety of related functions as assigned.

Other Job Functions

1. Demonstrates ability to look for inefficiencies and offers suggestions to improve work processes and procedures;
2. Attends professional conferences and conducts site visits to artists’ studios, museums, galleries, and biennial exhibitions to keep current with skills and trends;
3. Maintains open communication channels to foster a harmonious working environment;
4. Assists on special projects within the Center for the Arts (CFA) and for the College as needed and as time allows;
5. Other duties that may be assigned.

Qualifications/Prerequisites

1.  COMMUNICATION

a.   Ability to effectively communicate with various constituents of the College, students, faculty, staff, administrators and co-workers using strong and understandable language skills verbally, in reading, written work and comprehension;

b.   Communication must be professional, consistent with College values, mission and culture;

c.    Must be able to read, speak, write, and fully communicate professionally in English.

2.  SKILLS

1. Broad, deep, sophisticated knowledge of art, specifically American contemporary art;
2. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret directives and instructions;
3. Ability to acquire working knowledge of the College’s policies and procedures;
4. Ability to work honestly and with integrity;
5. Ability to work with the highest level of confidentiality;

6. Strong and demonstrated proficiency in MS Office applications (i.e.: Word, Outlook, Office 365, PowerPoint, etc.) with Past Perfect collection database management desirable;
7. Excellent attention to detail, and high data entry accuracy;
8. Strong organizational skills;
9. Ability to represent the department and College professionally;
10. Strong interpersonal skills;
11. Strong phone etiquette skills;
12. Enthusiastic advocate of the visual arts;
13. Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills;
14. Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills;
15. Ability to work in changing environment and successfully handle multiple tasks;
16. Self-starter with the ability to meet deadlines;
17. Dedication to creating/sustaining an inclusive, diverse, multicultural environment;
18. Exceptional customer service skills;
19. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
20. Sense of humor.
21. Demonstrated commitment to building an inclusive and equitable Albright community, as described in Albright College’s Inclusivity and Equity Statement.

3.  EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

1. 2+ years’ curatorial/gallery management experience required with demonstrated ability to plan, organize and install exhibitions; experience working with collections management software preferred; track record of scholarly published works/catalogs preferred.
2. 1+ year of teaching experience in higher education preferred.

4.  EDUCATION

1. MFA or MA in art history, museum studies, curatorial studies or related discipline required.

5.  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Current/valid driver’s license

Review of applications for this position will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should complete an application by clicking “Apply Now”.  Cover letter, a minimum of two professional references and any other supporting application materials can be uploaded in one document along with the resume.  Optional documents may be submitted can include: proof of education/certification, licenses, and letters of recommendation.  Albright offers a competitive benefits package, which includes tuition remission. 

About Reading, Pa.

Ranked a “Best Place to Live” and “Best Place to Retire” by U.S. News & World Report, Reading is a medium-sized city in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Albright College’s 118 acre campus is located in the city’s historic northeast College Heights neighborhood. Catch a concert in Reading’s 9,000 seat Santander Arena or get up close and personal in the historical Santander Performing Arts Center (built in the 1870s — only 20 years after Albright was born!) Start a new art project with materials like hot glass, paint, wood and more at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, enjoy seasonal festivals or take a walk through West Reading’s artisan shops, restaurants and boutiques. See Pennsylvania’s spectacular autumn display from the top of Reading’s Pagoda, a kayak on Blue Marsh Lake, or from a scenic steam train ride. Or leave civilization behind with more than 125 miles of certified biking and hiking trails. The city of Reading is also home to the Philadelphia Flyer’s ECHL ice hockey team and the Philadelphia Phillies’ AA baseball team.