Overview: The Executive Director of Kennedy Museum of Art is responsible for the leadership and strategic vision of the museum and museum studies program. This position requires a deep understanding of museum management, collections care and development, curatorial practices, and the arts. The Executive Director must be able to collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to create impactful exhibitions and programs, and provide students with opportunities to develop skills in museum studies. The museum studies program currently consists of cross-disciplinary undergraduate and graduate certificate programs and a Master of Arts Administration with a specialization in Museum Studies.
Responsibilities:
· Manage and support a team of museum professionals and staff members
· Develop and manage the budget for the museum and museum studies program
· Oversee best practices in the management of museum collections including object acquisition, care, security, research, and scholarship
· Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for the museum and museum studies program and teach Museum Fundamentals I & II
· Lead the development of exhibitions and programs that engage the campus and broader community
· Assess and evaluate the effectiveness of museum exhibitions and programs and make recommendations for improvement
· Sustain Ohio Arts Council grant funding
· Collaborate with the OHIO Museum Complex (OMC) on integrative museum practices
· Provide guidance and support to faculty on incorporating the museum into the OHIO curriculum
· Grow the impact of the museum on the university and community, such as through innovative curricular collaborations
· Collaborate with University Advancement colleagues to identify and engage donors to continue building support for the museum
· Develop and maintain partnerships with external organizations to provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience and develop professional networks
· Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and procedures related to museum management and maintain accreditation with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
· Represent the museum through active membership in local, regional, national, and global organizations
Requirements:
- Master’s or PhD degree in museum studies, art history, arts administration, or related field; or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in museum management
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion
- Strong understanding of collections care and development, curatorial practices, program design and implementation, museum studies curricula, and the arts
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing museum exhibitions and programs that achieve measurable outcomes
- Excellent leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead a team and work collaboratively with others
- Experience with grantwriting, fundraising or equivalent
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively build community with faculty, staff, and external partners
- Proven ability to manage budgets, grants, and resources effectively
- Ability to think strategically and develop a long-term vision for the museum and museum studies program
The Executive Director of Kennedy Museum of Art plays a critical role in the institution’s efforts to promote the arts and provide students with opportunities to develop skills in museum studies. The ideal candidate for this position is innovative, collaborative, and committed to the management of permanent collections and creating impactful cross-disciplinary exhibitions and programs. If you are interested in this position, please apply with your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications.
Mission
The Kennedy Museum of Art is an integral part of the educational, research, and public service missions of Ohio University. The purpose of the Kennedy Museum of Art is to enhance the intellectual and cultural life of Ohio University and the region through quality national and international exhibitions, collection-based research, and diverse formal and informal learning opportunities. The Kennedy Museum of Art exercises its public trust by focusing its collections on those works of art that it has the resources and capabilities to house, preserve, study and exhibit.
Profile
As an academic museum with a teaching mission, the Museum provides Ohio University students, faculty and staff, as well as the greater community, with engaging and thought- provoking encounters. Exhibitions, programs and events are designed to acknowledge that art is best experienced when presented in a contextual and interdisciplinary environment. To that end, the Museum serves as a learning laboratory for Ohio University, community schools and visitors.
The permanent collections form the core of exhibitions and programs. The collections include 8,000 objects: Southwest Native American textiles, ceramics and jewelry; American paintings; drawings and photography; contemporary prints; ceramics and sculpture. Selected works within the collections have been featured in important national and international exhibitions.
Ohio University has a vibrant residential campus that attracts top-quality students. Athens, Ohio, is a quintessential college town. We are located in picturesque Athens, OH, which provides a classic residential learning environment for over 20,000 students on the main campus and is a family-friendly and culturally rich community located amidst scenic state and national parks just 75 minutes southeast of Columbus, Ohio. The College of Fine Arts is the center of arts activity in the region with Schools of Music, Art+Design, Dance, Film, Theater, and Interdisciplinary Arts.
Ohio University is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive educational and workplace environment. Ohio University is an equal access/equal opportunity and affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. Women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Salary is commensurate with education and experience and is accompanied by our generous university benefits such as tuition for self and dependents, a comprehensive insurance package (including but not limited to prescription, vision, dental, and life insurance), an excellent retirement plan including company contributions, parental leave, adoption reimbursement, and more. OHIO is also proud to offer wellness programs, on-site wellness facilities, and a generous employee assistance program. Additional information is available at https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/.
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