Assistant Curator of Photography

Title:Assistant Curator of Photography

State Role Title:VMFA Assistant

Hiring Range:$60000

Pay Band:UG

Agency:Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Agency Website: Type:General Public - G

Department:Curatorial Photography

Recent and upcoming exhibition projects have helped build the museums holdings of work by Hungarian-born artists including André Kertész as well as strong collections of work by Ansel Adams Dawoud Bey and May Ray among others. The collection continues to grow at a rapid pace thanks to generous donors a substantial acquisitions budget and a strategic plan that includes targeted acquisitions of artist archives.A new suite of dedicatedgalleries slated to open in late 2027 will further expand the exhibition and acquisition program.

PositionOverview:

Reporting to the Aaron Siskind Curator of Photography and Director of the Raysor Center this position serves asAssistant Curator of Photography. This role entails developing researchingexhibiting teachingaboutand cultivating community interest in VMFAs photography collection and programs. This position supports the Aaron Siskind Curator on all activities related to the PhotographyDepartment including acquisition administrationdonorand artist correspondence updating cataloguing records researching proposing and organizing exhibitions of photography and developing and expanding the collection through proposed acquisitions.

This is a dynamic opportunity for an innovative detail-oriented and collaborative professional interested in advancing their curatorial career in new position comes at an exciting time for the PhotographyDepartment which wasestablishedin is currently preparing for a major expansion project that includes a 5500-square-foot suite of photography galleries slated to open in late 2027and the 12500-square-foot Raysor Center for Works on Papera state-of-the-artfacility for conservation research public accessibility and storage of photographs and works on paper.

This position requires national and international travelin order torepresentVMFAsPhotographyDepartmentacross a variety of national and international settings.

This position may be eligible foroccasional telework; availability hours and duration will bein accordance withthe Commonwealths Teleworking policyand the needs of the departmenton a case-by-casebasis.

Key Responsibilities:

• Successfully develop and implement curatorial responsibilities for photography exhibition projects including collection-based exhibitions and large-scale scholarly loan-based exhibitions. Serve as needed as in-house curator for traveling exhibitions. Contribute to major traveling loan exhibitions of international significance.

• Conduct research on and review collection objects to update catalogue information; research prepare and presentpossible acquisitions; catalogue new acquisitions as needed andassistCollection Manager for Works on Paper with collection-related inquiries and study room visits as needed.

• Produce and contribute to publications including exhibition catalogues articles reviews and website texts.

• Assist the Aaron Siskind Curator of Photography with a range of departmental duties and activities including acquisition administration correspondence with artists donorscollectorsand gallerists preparing presentation materialsassistingwith research and organization for major exhibitions and managing interns as needed.

• Represent VMFA at national and international conferences symposia and other events including art fairs gallery openings and other professional gatherings. Sustain and develop relationships with artists galleristscollectorsand donors to the collection. Promote engagement with VMFA and the Photography Department through tours talks and visits to artist donors and collectors;participatein national and international trips designed to cultivate and educate VMFA donors.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge skillsabilitiesand competencies typically obtained through the completion of aMastersLevel academic curriculum in Art History with a concentration in the History of Photography or equivalent level of practical experience and/ortraining.

• Thoroughknowledge of photographic history technologies and processesacquiredthrough a combination of education and/or work experience

• Curatorial experience preferably in an art museum setting with a focus on photography.

• A demonstratedtrack recordof supporting or organizing photography exhibitions and producing research and scholarship on the history of photography asevidencedby publications and presentations.

• Fluency with a collection management system (preferably The Museum System).

• Experience handling and cataloguing photographs in a curatorial or collections-based role.

• Excellent organizational skills self-starter with a positive collaborative approach.

• Ability to work independently multitask and manage time efficiently.

Additional Considerations:

• None

Benefits:
TheCommonwealth of Virginia offers a comprehensive total compensation packagethatincludeshealth benefits paid leave and flexible work schedules. The following benefits are available to classified employees:
Vacation and Other Leave
12 Paid Holidays
Health Benefits
Sickness and Disability Program
Deferred Compensation with Cash Match
Group Optional Life and Long-term Care Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Program
Retirement Plans
State Employee Resources
Agency-specific benefits such ascomplementary exhibition tickets anddiscounts on VMFA memberships dining shoppingclasses & programs and more.

Additional information relating to the benefits available to eligibleCommonwealth of Virginiaemployees can be found online at: Information

This role is afaculty appointment exempt from the Virginia Personnel Act.

Special Instructions:

Please provide three professional references including their full name phone number and email address. References should be able to speak to your qualifications for the position and may be included in your resume or cover letter or attached separately in the portals other field.

You will be providedwith confirmationof receipt when your application and/or résumé issubmittedsuccessfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VMFA isaVirginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Contact Information

For the most up-to-date status of your application please refer to .

Name:VMFA Human Resources Department

Email: recruitment-related questions.

Phone: We do not provide application status updates via phone.

All applicants mustsubmitan online application. This position will close at 11:55 pmESTon the designated closing date listed at the top of this posting on applications resumes or cover letters will not be accepted.

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment new hires arerequiredto complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United Museum of Fine Artsuses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Equal Opportunity Employer