Chief Curator

Dedee Shattuck Gallery is actively seeking a Chief Curator

The Chief Curator is responsible for coordinating the artistic identity of the gallery, in keeping with the director’s vision. Working hand-in-hand with the Gallery Director and Gallery Manager, the Curator plans and envisions the future growth of the Gallery. This position requires a literacy with contemporary art and strong interpersonal, organizational, writing, and management skills.

Commitment This part time job has flexible hours that can be set by the Curator and Director together. The Curator will be present at the gallery for all artist receptions, exhibition installations, and necessary meetings. The curator is expected to maintain a presence in the art scene, attending exhibits, fairs, and shows as a representative of the gallery and as a means of discovering new artists and ideas for the gallery.

Tasks Include:

Exhibition Design:

The Chief Curator works with the Gallery Director to select monthly solo and group exhibitions for the gallery. The Curator is responsible for the aesthetic of the exhibit, including artwork layout, labeling, and any additional information and display materials necessary for the exhibit. 

Communication/outreach with artists:

The Curator interacts directly with artists, on studio visits, through telephone calls, and emails, and supplies the Manager with information relevant to the exhibitions. The Curator should be on constant lookout for new artists through online and physical art publications, exhibitions, and artists submissions.

Exhibition management and visibility:

The Chief Curator oversees curation and installation of exhibitions, writes monthly press releases, exhibit listings, catalog essays, gives occasional curator’s talks, and organizes promotional and educational materials for each exhibition.

Communication/outreach with collectors:

The Chief Curator contacts and meets with existing and potential collectors, in the private, corporate and museum sector, to encourage and execute acquisitions of Dedee Shattuck Gallery artists work.

Qualifications and requirements:

Bachelors degree in art, art history, semiotics, curatorial studies, public relations, communications, or related field

Knowledge of and passion for contemporary art

Strong writing skills

Public speaking skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to collaborate

Good organizational skills

Ability to work alone and in a team setting

Good social media skills (facebook, twitter, instagram, bulk emailing, blog content)

Comfort with Microsoft Word and Excel

Valid driver’s license

Additional desired skills and qualifications:

Work experience in a gallery, museum, art center, or relevant institution 

Design experience

Exhibition design experience

Experience in fundraising

Masters Degree in relevant field

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

flexible

Submission Guidelines:

Please submit a cover letter outlining your qualifications, a 500 - 1000 word writing sample (preferably on an art related subject matter) a résumé, a letter of reference from a previous employer, mentor, or colleague, and contact information for 3 references. Finalists for the position may be asked to submit a hypothetical exhibition proposal.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled

Please mail info to:

Dedee Shattuck Gallery 

Attn: Curator Search

1 Partners Lane

Westport, MA

02790