Blaffer Art Museum
Fine Arts Building
4173 Elgin Street
Houston, TX 77204-4018
The College of the Arts at the University of Houston seeks a visionary Director and Chief Curator for its Blaffer Art Museum. The successful candidate must be a gifted curator and an experienced manager, capable of orchestrating exceptional exhibitions, public programs, and educational experiences while attracting funding and other support from the Houston community as well as the broader cultural and philanthropic communities.
The exhibitions and programs of the Blaffer Art Museum engage an international roster of important contemporary artists that place the museum firmly at the core of a global dialogue on the arts and establishes the University of Houston and the city it serves as an important cultural incubator and destination.
A premier non-collecting institution, Blaffer fosters engagement and exchange among the students, artists and scholars of the University of Houston’s School of Art, as well as a diverse audience of both university and community members.
The Director will articulate a curatorial vision for the exhibition of contemporary art as well as innovative programs and interdisciplinary exploration manifested in compelling public and academic exhibitions. The Director will have an international perspective and draw on strong relationships in the contemporary art world to continue to advance the reputation of the Blaffer Art Museum as a vanguard institution for the exhibition of important contemporary voices.
Responsibilities
1. As Chief Curator, develop and implement a unique and independent curatorial vision that distinguishes the Blaffer Art Museum from other contemporary and university art museums, including other contemporary museums in the city of Houston
2.As Museum Director, Manage the operational and administrative duties for the Blaffer Art Museum in an efficient and effective manner in coordination with the Dean of the College of the Arts
3. As an Academic Administrator in the University of Houston community, serve as the Blaffer Art Museum’s chief liaison within the university and the global academic community, ensuring that the museum’s impact is felt campus-wide, locally, nationally, and internationally
Candidate profile
The successful candidate will possess at least a master’s degree in art history, studio art, or other relevant field or research area.
The candidate must have museum experience in the contemporary art world including direct experience with curatorial practice and exhibition planning, education programming, operations, fundraising, public relations or marketing, and budget management. The candidate must have management experience based on a collaborative work and team-building style capable of engaging a broad range of constituencies.
The candidate will have demonstrated excellent communication and presentation skills and ability to implement use of new communication technologies. He or she will have an international perspective with a contemporary art specialty. He or she will have a solid track record of curating well-received exhibitions of both public and academic shows and will possess the ability to establish credibility with the faculty and relate intellectually with a wide range of disciplines. He or she will have to travel on behalf of the art museum. Experience in an academic environment is preferred, but not necessary.
The University of Houston
The University of Houston is located in the heart of the city of Houston, a thriving arts metropolis for the twenty-first century. With one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation, the University of Houston seeks candidates who will contribute creatively to the University’s multicultural environment. The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Additionally, the University prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The University of Houston is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.
To apply, please go to the UH Jobs Portal
For any further questions about the job description and the timeline of the search, please contact the person below.
Contact
Andrea Johnson, Executive Assistant, School of Art: [email protected]
