Gallery Director and Curator of Exhibitions & Programs

The Gallery Director and Curator of Exhibitions & Programs leads the League’s gallery exhibitions and programs, its permanent collection, and the Gallery staff. The role functions as an ambassador for the Art Students League with artists, galleries, museums, and cultural institutions and is expected to make themselves publicly present as much as possible.

Working closely with the Artistic/Executive Director, the Gallery Director is responsible for organizing and executing the League’s exhibitions and public programs, including but not limited to the annual Student Salons, an annual Instructor Salon exhibition, collection-based curated exhibitions, rotations of the 57th street windows, and exhibitions of exceptional student work installed either at the League or at offsite locations. This position also visions and oversees the League’s series of public programs (approx. 10 per year). In addition, this role is responsible for the stewardship of the League’s permanent collection of over 2,600 objects spanning the 19thCentury to the present, ensuring it remains accessible to the public. The role also spearheads the expansion of the collection through donations and occasional purchases.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Executing throughout 2025 a series of pre-planned 150th Anniversary exhibitions, public programs, and other related projects (League Salute, 150 Public Artworks) with colleagues across departments.
• Curate with the support of the Curatorial Assistant, Registrar, and/or Gallery Associate an active program of student, instructor, and collection exhibitions for presentation across the League’s four gallery spaces: the Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, AFAS Lobby, Registration, and Café Atelier as well as the 57th street windows, including the research and writing of exhibition-related texts.
• Manage and contribute to the production of League related content and publications including digital and print catalogues, social media posts, and Bloomberg Connects guides in direct association with the Marketing Department.
• Initiate and manage with the support of the Curatorial Assistant and Registrar external exhibitions including but not limited to Final Project, Juried Selection, and other collaborations (i.e. Nordstrom x League at Large).
• Secure exhibition space rentals, when needed.
• In association with the A/ED, visions of the League’s series of public programs; gives strategic guidance to the Curatorial Assistant regarding its execution.
• Grow the Permanent Collection and work with the League’s Director of Development to help foster new donations and handle new donation offers.
• Work with the Registrar to maintain strategies for managing the League’s Permanent Collection virtually in the database (Axiell) and physically in on-site and off-site storage facilities as well as priorities for cataloguing, conservation, and other collection care matters.
• Develop and manage Gallery department budget.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with instructors, students, staff, and the ASL community.
• Work collaboratively with Development on grants and donor stewardship.
• Schedule, manage, and conduct quarterly meetings of the Collections Committee, supervising contributions by the Curatorial Assistant and Registrar.
• In association with the A/ED, actively and publicly engage with colleagues at museums, artists, institutions, galleries on behalf of the League so as to find new ways to deepen and widen the presence and impact of the League beyond its 57th Street headquarters
• Hire and manage Gallery staff and external curators, as needed.
• Responsible for the Gallery’s front desk schedule, i.e. allocating hours to the Gallery Associate, Gallery Assistants, and Gallery Sitters (at least 80 hours total per week, inclusive of sick and PTO coverage).

UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS JOB:

• Recognized experience in an art gallery, museum, school, or similar organization
• Extensive experience with exhibition organization and coordination
• Excellent written, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage staff (3 FT, 3 PT, contractors) as well as to work as part of a larger, coordinated team
• Evening and weekend hours required

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• ‍Degree(s) Required/Preferred: MA in art history; PhD in art history preferred
• ‍Years of Experience Desired: 5-7+ years’ experience in an art gallery, museum, or similar organization.‍
• Industry or Product Knowledge: Gallery, museum, and/or art school experience required
• ‍Computer Experience: Microsoft Office 365, Submittable, Adobe Acrobat, Axiell (or equivalent collection management software/s)‍
• Core Skills/Abilities Required: 3-4+ years exhibition management experience

BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000, based on a candidate’s background and experience. In addition, this position is eligible for the League’s full range of benefits, including health insurance and 401(k)plans, as well as other fringe benefits offered through the Art Students League of New York.

TO APPLY:

Please submit your resume along with a cover note letting us know why your background and experience makes you the perfect candidate.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the many resumes we receive we are only able to reply to those candidates who are selected for an interview. Thank you for your understanding and for your interest in the Gallery Director and Curator of Exhibitions & Programs position.