Rubin Center Senior Curator
Job ID: 12662
Location: El Paso, TX
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: $RegTemp
About UTEP
UTEP is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.
The University of Texas at El Paso is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 24,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 172 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
About the Department
The Rubin Center for the Visual Arts is a bridge between the university and the world beyond its walls. The Center supports artist-led and community-centered explorations of contemporary life from the US-Mexico border. Through rigorous and risk-taking programs, exhibitions, and performances, the Center invites dialogue between diverse publics —campus and community, local and international— across disciplines and geographies. We serve as a dynamic training ground for a new generation of creative practitioners who are expanding the ways that artists can exist in the world.
Position Information
Hiring Department: Rubin Center for the Visual Arts
Posting End Date: Open until filled.
Hours: 40 hours per week, position requires ongoing flexibility in work hours due to events, staffing needs and travel
FLSA status: Exempt
Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible.
Salary: Commensurate with experience.
Required Application Materials:
- Resume
Preferred Application Materials:
- Cover Letter
- List of three references
The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents' performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents' immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver's license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.
Purpose of Position
Summary: The Rubin Center Senior Curator is responsible for working with the Director to develop a robust and diverse program of original contemporary art exhibitions featuring internationally recognized artists working in a wide range of media, including site-specific commissions, work that is interdisciplinary and participatory, and work that responds to our unique location on the US-Mexico border. The position includes all aspects of exhibition development including research, grant writing, production and programming in a fast-paced, collaborative and student-centered environment.
We are seeking a dynamic and collaborative leader with a passion for supporting both artists and students. The Senior Curator will join a team of staff members dedicated to serving our uniquely bi-lingual, bicultural and bi-national campus and community audiences. The ideal candidate will have an international network of artists, curators and other collaborators; extensive knowledge of international contemporary art, art history, and theory; comfort working in a research environment and making connections with faculty and students; excellent public speaking, writing, editing, leadership, and management skills; ability to create and manage project budgets, work with artists in developing original exhibitions, assist in the creation of new works, actively and effectively engage in fund-raising and cultivation activities, and work effectively as part of a team.
Essential Functions
Enhance the Rubin Center's role as a leading voice in contemporary art at the border through the development of critically relevant exhibitions of contemporary art.
Organize 3-5 exhibitions of contemporary art each year by established and emerging practitioners in a variety of contemporary media, developing interdisciplinary collaborations with faculty, external curators and scholars as relevant.
Work with colleagues internally and externally to develop projects that meaningfully contribute to the overall mission of the Rubin Center and the university's strength in interdisciplinary, community-engaged practices at the US-Mexico border.
Work directly with faculty in the Department of Art and other relevant areas of the university to develop workshops, lectures and other professional experiences for our student body and creating multiple entry points for students to exhibitions on display; contribute to public programming in relation to exhibitions and to outreach and marketing efforts.
In collaboration with the Exhibitions Coordinator, oversee all aspects of the production and installation of exhibitions and site-specific commissions including loan forms, shipping, exhibit design and other practical concerns.
Assist in the development and production of interpretive strategies and materials as they relate to exhibition projects.
Train student staff in specific content areas and museum practices.
Work directly with education and outreach team to develop content for exhibitions on display.
The Rubin Center is a non-collecting institution, but the Senior Curator will be responsible for managing our small permanent collection as a teaching resource for students in art history, museum studies and related areas.
Supervise occasional student interns assigned to the collection.
Encourage and facilitate use of Rubin Center resources for teaching among university faculty and staff in a wide range of disciplines.
Work with members of the academic community as a lecturer, facilitator, and museum professional to increase awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of visual art.
Supervise and assist student interns with an interest in contemporary art and curatorial careers.
Occasionally guest-lecture in relevant courses across campus.
Work with Director to develop fundraising strategies for exhibitions program.
Develop content related grant text and budgets for exhibitions.
Interact with Rubin Center donors and visiting arts professionals in benefit of the program.
Travel in support of exhibition development, professional development and donor cultivation.
Perform administrative duties related to position, including maintaining records, internal and external reporting, and managing budgets for exhibitions and programs.
Develop a collaborative network of artists and arts professionals in both El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, representing the Rubin Center at cultural events, openings, and other relevant activities.
Develop and maintain a professional network with regional, national and international colleagues.
Other related duties and functions as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Required Qualifications:
Education: Master of Arts in Contemporary Art History, Critical or Curatorial Studies or a related field
and
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of curatorial experience with a substantial record of exhibitions, publications, public presentations, and service to the field; active and visible participation in regional, national or international art community.
Preferred Qualifications:
PhD in a related field
Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred.
Applicants Should Demonstrate
In-depth knowledge of international contemporary art and curatorial practices
Excellent working relationships with colleagues in the field, including artists, curators, critics, and scholars.
Proven history of curatorial projects of varying scales as well as writing, communication, interpersonal, and management skills.
Experience successfully grant writing and fundraising for curatorial projects.
Passionate advocacy of artists.
Collaborative, collegial, creative, and resourceful in work.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, student-centered environment.
Integrity in all professional matters.
Enjoyment in working in a university environment and contributing to cultural and academic community.
Additional Information
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Ability to work in confined spaces such as collections rooms. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds. Special vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The noise level for this work environment is usually quite to moderate.
In keeping with its access, excellence and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.
The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.
For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.
To apply, visit https://zahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu/psp/ZAHRPRDADA/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=2&JobOpeningId=12662&PostingSeq=1
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