Exhibition Management Adjunct Professor

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 39,060 - 61,380; Part time

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College invites applications for an Adjunct Instructor to teach 93-808 Exhibition Management in the Master of Arts Management program. We welcome experienced professionals with expertise in exhibition planning, design, implementation, and management to prepare leaders for museums, galleries, and cultural nonprofits.

This seven-week graduate course covers planning, budgeting, interpretation, audience engagement, and the final exhibition proposal, with sessions

Qualifications

• Significant professional experience in exhibition management
• Ability to connect theory with professional practice through engaging classroom instruction
• Experience managing exhibitions from concept development through installation and evaluation
• Mentoring graduate students or prior higher education experience is preferred

Responsibilities

• Teach 93-808 Exhibition Management in the MAM program at CMU
• Develop and deliver course content, learning objectives, and assignments
• Guide students through exhibition planning, budgeting, interpretation, and evaluation
• Incorporate readings, case studies, site visits, and experiential learning
• Assess student work and provide constructive feedback

Skills

Exhibition management

Teaching ability

Communication skills

Facilitation

Education

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree + 7 years experience

Job description

Description

Adjunct Instructor: Exhibition Management

The Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy atCarnegie Mellon University invites applications for an AdjunctInstructor to teach 93-808 Exhibition Management, arequired graduate course in the Master of Arts Management (MAM) program.

The Master of Arts Management Program is a joint degree offered byHeinz College and the College of Fine Arts that prepares futureleaders for careers across museums, performing arts organizations,galleries, public art initiatives, cultural nonprofits, and thebroader creative sector. We welcome applications from experiencedprofessionals with demonstrated expertise in exhibition planning,design, implementation, and management.

Course Description

This graduate course introduces students to the planning,development, and implementation of exhibitions across museums,galleries, cultural institutions, festivals, immersive experiencesand other exhibition-based experiences.

Students examine the complete exhibition process - from conceptdevelopment through installation and evaluation - while consideringthe roles of curators, artists, designers, educators, registrars,preparators, community partners, and organizational leadership. The course also explores exhibition budgeting, project management,interpretation, audience engagement, logistics, and ethicalconsiderations, including current trends and controversies withinthe field.

We are particularly interested in practitioners with substantialexperience managing exhibitions who can integrate currentprofessional practice into the classroom. The final project in thiscourse should reflect the standards, expectations, andcollaborative processes students will encounter in the field.

Because this course is taken during the second year of the MAMprogram, students enter with a foundation in nonprofit management,finance, marketing, and organizational leadership. The instructorshould build upon that knowledge by emphasizing practicalapplication, current professional practice, and real-world casestudies.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the exhibition planning and implementation processacross a variety of cultural organizations.
• Evaluate exhibitions from the perspective of visitors, artists,and institutions while considering accessibility, interpretation,and audience engagement.
• Assess current practices, trends, ethical issues, andcontroversies in exhibition management.
• Develop a comprehensive exhibition proposal, including conceptdevelopment, interpretive planning, budget, timeline, resourceplan, and implementation strategy.
• Apply project management principles to the successful planningand execution of exhibitions.

Course Format

This is a seven-week graduate course offered during the Springsemester.

The course may be scheduled as either:

• Two 80-minute afternoon class meetings per week; or
• One 170-minute evening class meeting per week (includingbreaks), based on instructor availability and universityscheduling.

The course should incorporate a combination of readings, casestudies, class discussion, experiential learning, site visits whenappropriate, and assignments that culminate in a final exhibitionproposal.

Candidates Should Demonstrate

• Significant professional experience in exhibition managementwithin museums, galleries, cultural institutions, public artorganizations, festivals, or related settings.
• The ability to connect theory with current professionalpractice through engaging classroom instruction.
• Experience managing exhibitions from concept developmentthrough installation and evaluation.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills that fosterdiscussion, critical thinking, and collaborative learning.
• Prior teaching, guest lecturing, mentoring, or other highereducation experience is preferred, but not required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant discipline or
• Bachelor's degree plus at least seven years of progressivelyresponsible professional experience directly related to exhibitionmanagement.
• A commitment to mentoring graduate students and preparing themfor leadership roles in the arts and cultural sector.

Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer.It does not discriminate in admission, employment, oradministration of its programs or activities on the basis of race,color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation,gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status,marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteranstatus, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie MellonUniversity does not discriminate and is required not todiscriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws orexecutive orders.