Position Title   Assistant Director, Curatorial Affairs

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Curatorial Affairs oversees and implements the complex set of activities required to plan and realize all museum exhibitions for The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, the university’s on-campus teaching museum. Primary role responsibilities include managing all exhibition schedules, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation for multiple projects underway at the same time. The position also manages, preserves, and cares for the permanent collection; also oversees the work of the museum’s Registrar and Preparator, as well as other curatorial staff.

The Jule is an award-winning academic museum whose primary role is to teach with objects, serving Auburn students, faculty and staff, as well as, stakeholders across the state – https://jcsm.auburn.edu/.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums and a member of the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, The Jule stewards a renowned art collection of more than 3000 objects on behalf of Auburn University. Advancing research, outreach and instruction through its collections and programs in active and welcoming learning environments, the museum engages through exhibitions and hosting artists and scholars from across the nation to provide positive impacts for students and faculty. Serving beyond the gallery walls, it also serves the state of Alabama through traveling art programming. The Jule will turn 25 in 2028! With that upcoming milestone, the museum is focused on raising funds to endow positions and programs, establish scholarships, acquire and conserve art, and provide adequate teaching space, all to further center its role within the intellectual life of Auburn University.

Essential Functions  

Leads the planning and coordination of all museum exhibitions, liaising with stakeholders across the museum. Supports exhibition curators, including guest curators, faculty, and staff, in meeting delivery timelines for exhibition content. Maintains long-range exhibition schedules and budgets, assigning projects and tasks as necessary to ensure effective workflow management. Shares information internally to meet the needs of other museum units. Sets and manages all logistical requirements to guarantee the smooth and effective execution of exhibitions and installations, ensuring they are on time and within budget. Creates and finalizes exhibition budgets, monitors actuals versus budget, and reports regularly on project costs. Supervises the Preparator, as well as various contractors, staff, and vendors working on exhibitions. Schedules all exhibition meetings and regular check-ins related to specific projects, ensuring the museum calendar is updated accordingly.

Coordinates all in-house and off-site exhibitions, as well as permanent collection gallery changes, proactively anticipating and resolving issues. Manages all logistical requirements to ensure the smooth and effective execution of exhibitions and installations. Initiates and oversees loan requests, producing loan letters and securing all necessary receipts and paperwork. Works closely with the Registrar on insurance and condition reports. Schedules all exhibition loans with lending institutions, and handles all aspects of packing, unpacking, crating, and de-crating works of art for travel, including additional art handling and shipping needs. Supervises staff and collaborates with the Director of Operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and specialized movement of artworks for exhibitions. Ensures proper facilities conditions, preservation, and storage for exhibition objects and furniture.

Supervises the Registrar, ensuring the excellent long-term storage and care of all art objects, including public art on university property within the museum’s collection. Oversees the timely and accurate management of all object records and documentation related to the permanent collection, including the photography of objects. Facilitates a smooth and efficient acquisitions review process.

Collaborates with guest scholars and other stakeholders on museum projects, identifying opportunities for additional research and publication related to collection objects. Supports exhibition curators, including guest curators, faculty, and staff, in meeting delivery timelines for exhibition content. Assists museum colleagues with external editing and design processes. Compiles exhibition-related text for wall labels, title walls, and panels. Produces illustrated checklists for all exhibitions and shares them with internal stakeholders.

Responds to and coordinates requests from museum staff for image reproductions related to both on-site and off-site exhibitions. Negotiates agreements with lenders and copyright holders for reproduction requests, collaborating with the Communications and External Relations unit for publications, publicity, marketing, and related uses. Liaises with museum staff on exhibition publication projects, including catalogues and scholarly publications, as part of a long-range exhibition schedule and budget. Works with internal and external stakeholders to ensure deadlines are successfully met.

Coordinates traveling exhibition tours organized by the museum, including preparing proposal materials, communicating with potential tour venues, and managing shared cost tracking and reconciliation.

Represents the museum at various public programs, professional development workshops, seminars, and conferences. Identifies supplemental funding opportunities to support exhibitions and the collection, including preparing proposals and grant applications for initiatives and special projects.

May perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Why Work at Auburn?              

Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.

Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.

We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.

Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.

A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Administration, Business, Museum Studies, Public Humanities, Art History, Arts Education, Education, Cultural/Visual Studies or related field.

Experience: 6 years of experience collaboratively conceptualizing, designing, and installing relevant, creative and innovative exhibitions in an arts and/or culture environment for diverse community audiences with progressively increasing levels of responsibility and accountability.

Or

Education: Master’s Degree in Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Administration, Business, Museum Studies, Public Humanities, Art History, Arts Education, Education, Cultural/Visual Studies or related field.

Experience: 4 years of experience collaboratively conceptualizing, designing, and installing relevant, creative and innovative exhibitions in an arts and/or culture environment for diverse community audiences with progressively increasing levels of responsibility and accountability.

Minimum Skills and Abilities               

Object handling, as well as understanding the exhibition field at large; knowledge of best practices of museum policies and procedures.

Thorough knowledge of best practices in museum policies, practices, and procedures, including legal and ethical issues.

Knowledge of exhibition touring systems and requirements to ensure safety of collection objects on loan to outside institutions, or being borrowed from other institutions, including domestic and foreign loan procedures, courier arrangements and travel.

Knowledge of basic computer software, e.g. Google suite (Calendar, Docs, & Sheets), Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Microsoft Office Suite.

Demonstrable knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, contracts, resource allocation, human resources, leadership techniques, and coordination of people and resources.

Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally.

Desired Qualifications

Experience reflecting strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate the museum’s mission and vision effectively.

Experience in a museum or other cultural institution in higher education or the arts.

Posting Detail Information

Salary Range  $52,760 - $89,700

Appointment Status  Full-time

Job Category   Academic Advising/Support

Location:    Auburn, AL

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement               

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. The Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance (EOC) strives to ensure an inclusive and equitable working, living, and learning environment for members of the Auburn University community. Please visit their website to learn more.

To apply Visit: https://www.auemployment.com/postings/52880