Director & Curator, List Gallery

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Swarthmore (Delaware County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Swarthmore College is seeking a Director and Curator for the List Gallery, responsible for overseeing all operations and curating exhibitions. The role includes researching artists, managing budgets, and mentoring students in curatorial studies.

The successful candidate will have a Master of Fine Arts or equivalent degree, at least five years of experience in curating, and strong organizational, research, and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of experience curating museum-quality exhibitions and managing an academic arts collection.
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple projects.
• Ability to collaborate across diverse disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief curator and executive administrator for the List Gallery.
• Manage the List Gallery budget and track expenses.
• Mentor and train students in curatorial studies.
• Ensure safety and operations of art facilities.

Skills

Research skills

Public speaking

Creativity

Organizational abilities

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge of art handling

Social media proficiency

Graphic design skills

Education

Master of Fine Arts degree or equivalent terminal degree

Tools

FileMaker Pro

InDesign

Photoshop

Excel

Job description

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Its mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility, and the institution is committed to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices. Candidates are encouraged to advance a diverse and inclusive community.

Who We Are:

The List Gallery presents curated exhibitions of work by emerging, mid‑career, and preeminent artists and facilitates diverse learning opportunities, including site‑specific installations, gallery talks, and creative workshops. Exhibiting artists often serve as visiting critics and lecturers, giving students and members of the general public access to a broad range of media and interpretation. The gallery’s exhibitions complement the college curriculum, catalyze interdisciplinary study, and serve both the Swarthmore community and the Greater Philadelphia region.

The Opportunity:

The director and curator administers and oversees all operations for the List Gallery, a regionally acclaimed venue that presents an ambitious and diverse schedule of exhibitions, including contemporary artists, student work, and works from the Swarthmore College Art Collection.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief curator and executive administrator for the List Gallery
  • Research emerging and nationally known artists; conceive, organize, and present major exhibits each year; write and edit promotional materials and/or catalog essays; oversee exhibitions by senior art majors; organize the annual alumni exhibition; facilitate class visits to the gallery, give gallery talks, arrange workshops, and lead other public programs; consult with faculty members and staff to develop programming that informs curricular goals; manage a fair and balanced exhibition selection process; arrange and oversee visiting artists’ trips to Swarthmore.
• Administer budgets and contracts
  • Manage the List Gallery budget, track expenses, and ensure they are charged to appropriate funding sources and coded correctly; enforce administrative and accounting policies; draft, complete, and amend loan agreements and other contractual letters; stay informed about legal liability issues and insurance considerations; manage inherited and gift funds; seek discretionary funding from related departments and programs.
• Mentor and train students, supporting hands‑on learning and career development
  • Oversee a student staff of 15–20 and conduct the List Gallery Internship Program, providing 2–4 students with a year‑long introduction to curatorial studies. Interns learn research, exhibition design, installation, publicity, and safety of loaned art. They contribute to educational materials, produce short videos, and receive individualized feedback. Each semester, interns design and implement an independent project to increase gallery accessibility. The director also instructs and guides senior students who exhibit their work.
• Oversee art facilities' safety, operations, and design/renovation/construction
  • Maintain physical security and maintenance of the gallery; identify improvement needs and coordinate with Facilities and outside contractors; respond to emergencies such as floods or security concerns; document for security and insurance reports; communicate with Public Safety to ensure visitor safety; prepare facilities reports for institutional loans, insurance contracts, and periodic reviews.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, and supervise 15 to 20 students each year to assist with gallery security, communications, and other duties.
• Hire 2–4 interns annually, provide individualized instruction, mentor independent projects, and write references for students pursuing careers in the arts.
• Review, check for accuracy, and approve time sheets.
• Maintain a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment.

Who you are:

• Flexibility
• Collaborative spirit
• Commitment to the educational mission of the gallery and the college

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts degree or an equivalent terminal degree such as a PhD and at least five years of experience curating museum‑quality exhibitions and managing a museum or equivalent academic arts collection.
• Superior research, writing, editing, and public speaking skills, creativity, and demonstrated success in managing multiple projects.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal abilities.
• Knowledge of professional standards for handling, storage, shipment, insurance, and presentation of works of art.
• Ability to collaborate across diverse disciplines and groups.
• Proficiency with social media, graphic design, word processing, spreadsheets, FileMaker Pro, InDesign, Photoshop, and Excel.
• Demonstrated curatorial principles, best practices in care and interpretation of art, scholarly writing, educational outreach, exhibition design, and production of catalogues, video, and digital technologies.
• Initiative, independence, maturity, discernment, and self‑sufficiency.
• Creative and critical thinking about programs and activities; promotes continuous improvement and addresses diversity, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship.
• High standard of professional ethics to ensure institutional integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting art historical research.
• Experience working with museum collections.

What You Will Get

You will join a renowned liberal arts college with stunning campus and a collaborative work environment. Work alongside passionate, creative people who support students, faculty, and staff.

Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled.

Disclaimer

Swarthmore College requires a PA criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment. Education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification.

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College policy.