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Posted: August 5, 2008 — Materials must be received by August 26, 2008.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Type: Full Time, Experienced

Required Degree: Master's, PhD preferred

The University of Virginia invites nominations and applications for the position of Director, University of Virginia Art Museum.  The Director of the University of Virginia Art Museum reports directly to the Vice Provost for the Arts and will work to identify and leverage opportunities to foster and enhance an environment in which the largest possible share of its diverse constituencies, including members of the University community and the general public, can study and learn from the direct experience of works of art.  The Director will have the opportunity to enhance and create programs that will engage the entire academic enterprise, providing a compelling public arts program. In combination with the Vice Provost for the Arts, the Director will play an integral role in UVA’s Campaign for the Arts, an exciting, new vision for expanding the arts programs across grounds and promoting the interdisciplinary initiatives between the Art Museum and the University.

The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to help shape the future of the nation. The University is public, while nourished by the strong support of its alumni. It is also selective; the students who come here have been chosen because they show the exceptional promise Jefferson envisioned. The University of Virginia remains the No. 2 Best Public University in the 2008 edition of the U.S. News and World Report rankings. In the 11 years since U.S. News began ranking public universities as a separate category, U.Va. has ranked either No. 1 or No. 2.

Today, the Museum is a vital academic and cultural resource for the University and the surrounding central Virginia community, presenting permanent collection installations and 6-7 temporary exhibitions annually. More than 30,000 visitors enjoy the Museum and its programs yearly, including more than 3,000 school children who participate in tours and other educational programs. The Museum collaborates closely with University departments, including Anthropology, Art and Architecture, to build collections and present exhibitions and educational programs that benefit students and incorporate faculty research.  Thomas Jefferson conceived the entrance hall of Monticello as a place where visitors could observe, study, and learn from his eclectic collection of objects.  Seeking to follow Jefferson’s vision of the art object as a powerful tool for learning, the University is designing and will build a new type of art museum.  The new art museum will be the cornerstone of the Arts Gateway to the University project which will support a robust schedule of public programs.

Nominations & Applications
Although the University will consider a range of profiles, expressions of interest are sought from candidates having a Master’s Degree, with a Ph.D. preferred, possessing scholarly publications appropriate to a Research Institution or University and 5 years experience in senior level Museum work; previous experience as a director is preferred. Other essential qualifications include the following: a broad knowledge of museum practices; demonstrated ability and success in developing relationships with donors and fundraising for significant projects; demonstrated ability to collaborate with various constituent groups; demonstrated understanding of the accreditation requirements of the American Association of Museums;  global understanding of contemporary art practices; dynamic, passionate and energetic leadership with the ability to manage, position, market and develop an organization.

To apply, please submit a candidate profile, cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the contact information for three professional references via Jobs@UVA at https://jobs.virginia.edu under position number FA376.  Applications will be considered until the position is filled. For priority consideration, all materials must be received by August 26, 2008. Nominations can be sent electronically to executivesearch@virginia.edu. The search will be carried out with full confidentiality; candidates will be notified before references are contacted.

An equal opportunity and affirmative action employer,
the University of Virginia is committed to building a diverse community
and encourages the applications of women and members of underrepresented groups.