Institute Contemporary Art Curatorial Assistant and Exhibitions Program Manager

The Curatorial Assistant &Exhibition Programs Manager supports the research, development, andrealization of exhibitions, publications, curatorial initiatives,and artistic programs. Acting as a central bridge between artist sand the institution during the conceptual and developmental phasesof projects, this role guides artistic initiatives from earlyideation through finalized curatorial content and program executionensuring deliverables to ICA’s Project Manager.

Institute for Contemporary Art MBU

Institute for Contemporary Art

Designed by Steven Holl Architects and located at the corner of Broad and Belvidere, the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at VCU presents the art of ourtime and provides an open forum for dialogue and collaboration across the region and throughout the world. With free admission,the ICA is a major resource for VCU, Richmond, and beyond.

The Curatorial Assistant & Exhibition Programs Manager supports the research, development, and realization of exhibitions,publications, curatorial initiatives, and artistic programs. Actingas a central bridge between artists and the institution during theconceptual and developmental phases of projects, this role guidesartistic initiatives from early ideation through finalizedcuratorial content and program execution ensuring deliverables toICA’s Project Manager.

• Conduct research related to exhibitions, artists, commissions,publications, and institutional initiatives.
• Assist curators and artists in the development of exhibitionconcepts, thematic frameworks, and curatorial narratives.
• Support the refinement and completion of exhibition checklist sin collaboration with artists and curators.
• Coordinate artist communication throughout exhibition and publication development processes.
• Draft, edit, and oversee the development of interpretive materials including wall texts, brochures, didactics, web content,exhibition guides, and publications.
• Coordinate image acquisition, editorial workflows, rights management, and publication materials related to exhibitions andartist projects.
• Assist in the development and coordination of artistpublications and exhibition-related printed materials.

• Serve as a primary liaison between artists and the institutionduring the development phases of exhibitions and curatorialinitiatives.
• Guide projects from early ideation through finalized curatorialcontent and institutional alignment.
• Schedule and coordinate planning meetings, studio visits, site visits, and project development sessions.
• Coordinate artist itineraries, hospitality, and travel relatedto exhibition development, curatorial research, institutional partnerships, and touring exhibition research.
• Organize research travel and logistical planning connected tocuratorial initiatives and institutional collaborations.
• Maintain project documentation, meeting notes, schedules, andcuratorial records throughout development stages.
• Collaborate closely with the Project Manager to transitionfinalized materials and approved project content into production and implementation phases.

• Lead the development, planning, coordination, and execution ofexhibition programs from ideation through implementation.
• Collaborate with artists, curators, speakers, performers, and institutional partners on public-facing initiatives connected toexhibitions and institutional priorities.
• Develop program timelines, organizational workflows, and planning structures for curatorial initiatives and publicprograms.
• Coordinate program logistics including schedules, hospitality,travel, itineraries, run-of-show documents, and internal communications.
• Work closely with communications, exhibitions, AV, visitorengagement, and operations teams to ensure successful implementation of curatorial programs.
• Support interdisciplinary programming including screenings,lectures, performances, symposia, and public conversations.

• Maintain organized curatorial records, calendars, schedules,and project documentation.
• Assist with budget tracking, contracts, invoices, and administrative coordination related to curatorial initiatives and programs.
• Support grant-related research, reporting, and institutional planning initiatives as needed.
• Ensure consistent communication and coordination acrossartists, curators, institutional partners, and…