Description

ABOUT THE ACADEMY 

Founded in 1825, the National Academy of Design promotes art and architecture in America. As the leading honorary society for visual artists and architects in the United States, we advocate for the arts as a tool for education, celebrate the role of artists and architects in public life, and serve as a catalyst for cultural conversations that propel society forward. 

Since moving to the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in 2023, the National Academy produces three to four exhibitions annually. Beginning with its 200th anniversary in 2025, the Academy shifted to a practice of hiring guest curators to organize thematic exhibitions. Guest curators have so far included Gee Wesley, Nato Thompson, and Stan Allen and Polly Apfelbaum. Future Guest Curators will be supported by a newly created, full-time Exhibitions Manager. 

ABOUT THE POSITION
The National Academy of Design seeks an organized, communicative, and adaptable Exhibitions Manager to join its small, experienced team at a very exciting time in our 200-year history. This position will play a pivotal role in managing the relationship with Guest Curators. 

The Exhibitions Manager will be responsible for the successful production of all National Academy exhibitions. They will work with each Guest Curator to develop successful, relevant, compelling, on- budget, and mission-aligned shows. Their role includes but is not limited to oversight of the relationship with Guest Curators, coordination of incoming and outgoing artwork, and managing all aspects to ensure smooth exhibition cycles. This is a full-time, exempt position. 

The responsibilities of the Exhibitions Manager consist of the following: 

Curatorial (60%) 

• Manage the National Academy’s relationship with all Guest Curators working on Academy exhibitions, both in our Chelsea location and elsewhere as needed. This will include acting as the staff liaison to Guest Curators, as well as ensuring they have the resources needed to complete their work.
• Provide production support for all National Academy exhibitions through the following: coordinating incoming and outgoing fine art shipping, condition reporting, drafting and executing loan letters, exhibition layout, scheduling art handlers, contractors, and painters, drafting wall text and labels for printing, and ensuring that exhibition installation materials and supplies are on-hand as needed.
• Work with the Guest Curator(s) and the Communications Manager to ensure that all printed and digital exhibition collateral materials are drafted, copy-edited, and printed on time.
• Provide exhibition research assistance to Guest Curator(s) and Executive Director as needed. 
• Assist the Programs Manager with conception and development of exhibition-aligned public programming.
• Create and maintain project management channels for each exhibition in Asana. 

Collections (30%) 

• Collaborate with the Director of Collections and Registrar to ensure that all collection works included in ongoing exhibitions have proper conservation and framing work scheduled and completed.
• Meet weekly or bi-weekly with the Collections team to discuss ongoing Curatorial and Collections overlap and ongoing projects.
• Work with the Registrar to ensure that works entering the Academy for exhibitions receive proper condition reporting. 

Administrative Duties (10%) 

• Oversee all administrative responsibilities of the Curatorial Department.
• Working with the Executive and Deputy Directors, develop a Curatorial Department budget annually and meet quarterly with the Deputy Director to ensure alignment.
• Maintain up-to-date expense activity and reporting for the use of National Academy corporate credit card.
• Attend weekly staff and department meetings.
• Represent the National Academy at events and oversight meetings as needed.
• Other duties as assigned. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit a resume and one-page cover letter, combined in one PDF titled, “LastName_EXHIBITIONS MANAGER,” via email to [email protected] . Please include “EXHIBITIONS MANAGER” in the subject line. No phone calls please. 

HIRING STATEMENT 
The National Academy of Design is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage women, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color, and gender nonconforming candidates to apply. The National Academy of Design is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, gender identification, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation. 

LOCATION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Full-time employees of the National Academy are required to work in our offices at 519 West 26th Street at least three days per week, attend in-person staff and board meetings, and attend in-person events and programs as required. The organization’s requirements notwithstanding, this position specifically will be required to be on-site during installation and de-installation of exhibitions. Some evenings and weekends are required as needed. 

Requirements

• A background and/or education in curating, production, gallery management, registration, collections care, or related subjects.
• 3-5 years of experience in arts and/or cultural non-profit organizations, or related experience.
• Exceptional project-management and project management skills.
• Knowledge of best practices in exhibition production and gallery management, as well as a beginner-level knowledge of registration.
• A genuine interest in contemporary visual art and/or architecture, locally and globally.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.