Gallery Director

Gallery Director

Division: Academic Affairs

Department/Office: Art Gallery

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St. Catherine University invites applications for a .75 FTE, one-year interim appointment as Gallery Director to provide leadership for the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery.

The Gallery Director supports the University's mission and vision by curating, facilitating, coordinating, and implementing 5-9 rotating exhibitions throughout the academic year (September-May). Exhibitions feature invited contemporary and historical artists and curators whose work engages social justice, art activism, and community engagement, with an emphasis on women-centered, gender-inclusive, and BIPOC visual arts.

As a teaching gallery, the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery serves as an active learning environment. The Gallery Director contributes directly to student education and enhances the experience of campus and public visitors. The position develops complementary programming— including artist talks, lectures, panel discussions, workshops, tours, and educator and visitor guides—to deepen engagement with the artwork.

Building on the Art and Art History Department curriculum, exhibitions encourage critical examination of the cultural, historical, and social roles of galleries and museums as sites of power and responsibility within their communities.

• Plan, coordinate, and produce 5-8 gallery exhibitions annually that reflect the mission and vision of the University and the Gallery. All exhibitions are reviewed by the Gallery Committee to ensure alignment with professional standards and institutional values. Most exhibitions require 18-24 months of planning, including regular coordination with invited artists and curators; developing and managing production timelines; securing supplemental funding when necessary;
  
  connecting artists with internal stakeholders; and creating visitor engagement materials (e.g., brochures, handouts, Educator & Visitor Guides). Multiple exhibitions (current and future) are managed concurrently.
• Oversee the University's Fine Art Collection (FAC) in partnership with the Visual Resources Curator and 2-3 Fine Art Collection Student Assistants. Ensure proper care, maintenance, preservation, documentation, and campus engagement of University-owned and loaned artworks.
• Develop and implement promotional strategies for gallery exhibitions and events. Serve as the primary communicator for exhibition-related information to campus and public audiences.
• Coordinate, develop, and produce exhibition-related programming in collaboration with visiting artists and curators. Schedule, facilitate, and lead public programs on behalf of the University.
• Support the Art and Art History Department by attending twice-monthly Curriculum Committee meetings, participating in student portfolio reviews, and supporting the annual Amy Marie Sears Visiting Artist/Curator in Residence.
• Mentor, supervise, and support student employees, including Fine Art Collection Student Assistants and Gallery Receptionists.
• In collaboration with Art and Art History faculty and staff, as well as Facilities and Public Safety, help oversee and manage Visual Arts Building spaces.
• Manage gallery operational budget and three gift funds.

• Fourteen (14) paid holidays and paid "gift" days when the University is closed.
• Free tuition for employees and reduced tuition for their families after one year of service
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403b retirement plan access
• Accrued sick time

Specific information on all of our available benefits for full-time employees can be found

MA in Art History or an MFA with at least 2-3 years of experience organizing exhibitions, including soft skills such as strong written and oral communication skills, as well as relationship building with diverse collaborators; and hard skills, including exhibition design, layout, installation, budget management and marketing. Experience with fine art collection management and/or consulting is also required.

Supervisory and/or project management experience, creative problem solving skills…