Deputy Director of Curatorial and Academic Affairs and Curator of American Art
University of Georgia
Athens, GA (In Person)
$110,000 Salary, Full-Time
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Job Description
Position Summary The Deputy Director of Curatorial and Academic Affairs and Curator of American Art is a faculty, non-tenure track, senior leadership role at the Georgia Museum of Art ("Museum"), responsible for setting and executing the museum's curatorial vision across its entire collection and exhibition program. Reporting to the Director, the Deputy Director provides strategic direction for exhibitions, acquisitions, publications, and academic programming, while ensuring the museum's curatorial mission is deeply integrated with the teaching, research, and public service goals of the University of Georgia. The Deputy Director leads and mentors a team of curators and curatorial staff, serves as a primary spokesperson for the museum's collections and exhibitions, and plays a key role in long-range institutional planning. Special Instructions to Applicants Posting Details Posting Number F2698P Working Title Deputy Director of Curatorial and Academic Affairs and Curator of American Art Department SRVPAA-Georgia Museum of Art About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/) . The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine. About the College/Unit/Department College/Unit/Department website Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Underutilization Advertised Salary $100k - $120k; Commensurate with Experience Anticipated Start Date 07/01/2026 Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings) Job Posting Date 05/01/2026 Job Closing Date Open until filled Yes Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu ). USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02 . Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom . Position Details Position Information Classification Title Assoc/Asst Director, Division/Department AD FLSA Exempt Faculty Rank Administrative Faculty Contract Type Fiscal (12 mo.) Tenure Status Non-Tenure Track Minimum Qualifications Master's degree in art history, history, museum studies, or a related field Additional Requirements Expertise in at least one area of American art and broad familiarity across the field from the colonial period through the present At least two years of experience curating and organizing major exhibitions and publications Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification Ph.D. in art history, history, museum studies, or a related field Established national or international professional network in the museum and art history fields Advanced arts management training Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies Deep knowledge of museum collections management, ethical and legal standards for acquisitions, and conservation principles Proven ability to lead, supervise, and mentor professional staff Strong record of scholarly research and publication Excellent skills in budget and project management Demonstrated success in donor cultivation and relationship building Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with a range of stakeholders, including faculty, students, artists, collectors, and community members Bold, collaborative, and community-minded leader Distinguished record of scholarly achievement, exhibition development, and donor cultivation Passion for connecting the museum's resources to audiences on campus and beyond Familiarity with an academic museum environment Past success securing grants and other external funding Physical Demands Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? Yes Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Is driving a responsibility of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? Yes Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website . Background Investigation Policy Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website . Duties/Responsibilities Duties/Responsibilities Curatorial Leadership Set the strategic direction for the Museum's exhibition program, ensuring rigorous, innovative, and wide-ranging programming that reflects current scholarship and engages broad audiences Oversee the care and development of the Museum's American art collection, including acquisitions, deaccessions, provenance research, gift assessment, and donor cultivation; manage the departmental budget Conceptualize, research, and organize exhibitions and gallery installations drawn from the permanent collection and loans from other institutions and private collections, with deep expertise in at least one area of American art and broad familiarity across the field from the colonial period through the present Conduct and publish original scholarly research on American art and artists through peer-reviewed journals, exhibition catalogs, and other scholarly platforms; present at national and international conferences Build and sustain relationships with artists, scholars, collectors, and peer institutions to support exhibitions, research, and programming related to the American art collection Promote the Museum's reputation in the field through participation in national and international professional organizations Host and collaborate with guest curators, artists, scholars, and critics, including occasional residencies and symposia Supervise and mentor direct reports, fostering a collaborative and intellectually ambitious departmental culture Work closely with conservators and registrars to assess conservation needs, ensure proper documentation, and maintain the highest standards of collection care Percentage Of Time 30 Duties/Responsibilities Academic Integration, Teaching, and Public Engagement Provide strategic oversight of the Learning and Engagement department, supervising the department head to ensure that programming aligns with the museum's mission Supervise the Associate Curator of Academic and Campus Engagement and, working collaboratively, cultivate and strengthen partnerships with UGA faculty, departments, and research centers to develop exhibitions, programs, and publications that support the university's academic mission Participate as a presenter, panelist, or subject expert in relevant symposia, conferences, and public programs Oversee departmental initiatives to train students in curatorial practices and methods through experiential learning opportunities, including museum internships Offer object-based class visits for UGA courses across disciplines, including art history, history, and museum studies Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the Lamar Dodd School of Art and other academic departments, as time and opportunity permit Percentage Of Time 20 Duties/Responsibilities Institutional Leadership and Planning Serve as a key member of the museum's senior leadership team, contributing to long-range strategic planning, staffing decisions, and institutional priorities Work closely with the Museum Director and Development team to secure funding for exhibitions, acquisitions, and programming through grants, donor gifts, and institutional partnerships Develop and oversee curatorial and exhibition proposals, setting objectives and monitoring expenditures Represent the museum as an effective spokesperson at the local, national, and international level, advancing its profile in the broader museum and academic communities Participate in staff and advisory council meetings as needed Percentage Of Time 20 Duties/Responsibilities Donor Cultivation and Development Actively cultivate relationships with donors, collectors, foundations, and corporate funders in support of exhibitions, acquisitions, and programmatic needs Solicit gifts of art and financial contributions to grow the permanent collection and support the museum's mission Collaborate with Development staff on grant applications and fundraising initiatives Percentage Of Time 20 Duties/Responsibilities Service and Public Engagement Provide tours of special exhibitions and the permanent collection for the public, university groups, and visiting scholars Attend exhibition openings and public programs featuring artists and academic peers to promote the museum's outreach and community engagement mission Percentage Of Time 10 Posting Specific Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (•). Applicant Documents Required Documents Resume/CV Cover Letter Optional Documents