Curator - ICA Pittsburgh - College of Fine Arts

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Retirement plan

Transit pass

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s ICA Pittsburgh seeks a visionary Curator to shape its artistic identity. Working with the Founder and Director, you will originate exhibitions, publications, and live programs, and build multiyear plans with artists and partners.

You will collaborate across CMU faculties, engage students, and lead inclusive, rigorous interpretation while cultivating a dynamic, ethical program culture.

Qualifications

• Significant progressively responsible experience in curatorial practice or artistic leadership.
• Experience delivering ambitious contemporary art exhibitions, commissions, publications, performances, or related projects.
• Broad knowledge of contemporary art and experience working with artists across media, geographies, and career stages.
• Experience managing complex budgets, schedules, production processes, and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Define ICA Pittsburgh’s artistic vision, programmatic identity, and multiyear strategy with the Director.
• Originate, research, and organize exhibitions, commissions, performances, screenings, publications, conversations, and digital initiatives.
• Develop a program connecting emerging and established artists with Pittsburgh-based practices and international perspectives.
• Interpretation: create rigorous, accessible texts and digital content; integrate exhibitions with performances and participatory programs.
• Build collaborations with CMU faculty, students, researchers, centers; engage students with artists and curatorial practice.
• Manage calendars, staffing, production schedules, and budgets; supervise curatorial staff and interns.

Skills

Curatorial practice

Leadership

Writing

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Budget management

Project management

Equity & accessibility

University gallery experience

Collaboration

Education

Advanced degree in art history or related field

Job description

ICA Pittsburgh seeks an imaginative, collaborative, and artist-centered Curator to help define the institution’s artistic identity.Working closely with the Founder and Director, the Curator will set and implement ICA Pittsburgh’s programmatic vision; originate exhibitions, commissions, publications, and live programs; cultivate relationships with artists and partners; and translate artistic priorities into sustainable multiyear plans.As a senior institutional leader, the Curator will help establish the values, processes, and working culture of a new contemporary art institution. The successful candidate will combine curatorial ambition and intellectual rigor with strong communication, collaboration, planning, and follow-through.Key Responsibilities:Key Responsibilities:Artistic Vision and Program:Partner with the Director to define ICA Pittsburgh’s artistic vision, programmatic identity, and multiyear strategy.Originate, research, and organize exhibitions, commissions, performances, screenings, publications, conversations, and digital initiatives.Develop a program that connects emerging and established artists, Pittsburgh-based practices, and national and international perspectives.Identify and engage artists, guest curators, writers, scholars, and interdisciplinary collaborators.Maintain high standards of artistic quality, experimentation, accessibility, scholarship, and ethical practice.Serve as an informed and responsive partner to artists throughout research, development, production, presentation, and evaluation.University and Interdisciplinary Engagement:Build substantive collaborations with Carnegie Mellon faculty, students, researchers, schools, and centers.Develop opportunities for students to engage with artists, exhibitions, curatorial practice, and professional museum work.Interpretation and Public Engagement:Develop an interpretive approach that is rigorous, inviting, and accessible to audiences with different levels of familiarity with contemporary art.Create and edit gallery texts, essays, publications, artist interviews, digital content, and other interpretive materials.Integrate exhibitions with performances, screenings, workshops, conversations, and participatory programs.Work with colleagues and community partners to foster meaningful, reciprocal exchange among artists, researchers, students, and publics.Incorporate accessibility and audience experience into the earliest stages of program development.Institutional Leadership and Management:Serve as a member of ICA Pittsburgh’s leadership team and contribute to institutional strategy, planning, budgeting, and organizational development.Translate artistic priorities into realistic calendars, project plans, staffing needs, production schedules, and budgets.Establish clear and equitable processes for artist selection, commissioning,guest-curator engagement, interpretation, documentation, and evaluation.Collaborate across exhibitions, operations, advancement, communications, education,visitor experience, facilities, and university administration.Supervise and mentor curatorial staff, exhibition teams, interns, consultants, andproject-based collaborators.Plan and manage all aspects of exhibition planning, coordination, loan agreements, and installation with The Assistant Director of ExhibitionsFoster a working culture grounded in care, transparency, accountability, intellectual generosity, and respect for different forms of expertise.External Relations and Advancement:Build sustained relationships with artists, cultural organizations, educators, community leaders, and audiences in Pittsburgh.Develop reciprocal partnerships that connect ICA Pittsburgh to national and international contemporary art networks.Represent ICA Pittsburgh at public programs, professional convenings, studio visits, university events, donor gatherings, and community meetings.Partner with the Director and advancement colleagues on grants, sponsorships, donor engagement, and cases for support.Communicate the artistic program persuasively while protecting the integrity and independence of the curatorial process.Qualifications:RequiredSignificant progressively responsible experience in curatorial practice, contemporary art programming, or artistic leadership.A record of developing and delivering ambitious contemporary art exhibitions, commissions, publications, performances, public programs, or related projects.Broad knowledge of contemporary art and experience working with artists across different media, disciplines, geographies, and career stages.Experience collaborating directly with artists on the development and presentation of new work.Demonstrated leadership in a museum, university gallery, kunsthalle, alternative art space, residency program, cultural organization, or comparable setting.Experience managing complex budgets, schedules, production processes, and partnerships.Excellent writing, editing, public-speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.Demonstrated commitment to equity, accessibility, inclusive representation, and respectful workplace practices.An advanced degree in art history, curatorial studies, studio art, visual culture, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of professional experience and demonstrated achievement.Preferred:Experience working within a university, research institution, or similarly complex organization.Experience launching, expanding, or repositioning a museum, gallery, cultural initiative, or major program.Familiarity with interdisciplinary practices involving science, technology, design, architecture, performance, sound, moving image, social practice, or emerging media.Experience commissioning new work and managing technically or logistically complex projects.Experience with publications, fundraising, grant development, donor engagement, or institutional partnerships.Knowledge of Pittsburgh’s artistic and cultural communities or a demonstrated ability to build locally grounded relationships.An established national or international network of artists, curators, scholars, and cultural organizations.Are you interested in this exciting opportunity?! Apply today!Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits , take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays , and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access , and much more!For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page .At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!LocationPittsburgh, PAJob FunctionAcademic Program AdministrationPosition TypeStaff – RegularFull Time/Part timeFull timePay BasisSalary