Institute for Contemporary Art Curatorial Assistant and Exhibitions Program Manager

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond (VA)

On-site

USD 55,000 - 65,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University's Institute for Contemporary Art seeks a Curatorial professional to advance exhibitions, publications, and curatorial initiatives from ideation to realization. The role bridges artists and the institution, guiding content and programs through development and into production for ICA’s Project Manager.

The position emphasizes research, coordination with artists, curators, and institutional partners, and delivering interpretive materials, wall texts, and related

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or related field.
2–4 years of museum/arts nonprofit experience.
Strong research, writing, editorial, and organizational abilities.
Experience coordinating exhibitions, publications, or curatorial programs.
Excellent communication and project coordination skills.
Knowledge of contemporary art and curatorial practice.

Responsibilities

Conduct research related to exhibitions, artists, publications.
Assist in development of exhibition concepts and curatorial narratives.
Coordinate artist communication and project timelines.
Draft interpretive materials and wall texts for exhibitions.
Maintain project documentation and meeting notes.
Collaborate with Project Manager to move content into production.

Skills

Research skills

Writing & editing

Organizational skills

Communication & coordination

Knowledge of contemporary art

Education

Bachelor's degree in Art History/Curatorial Studies/Museum Studies

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Advertising Summary:

The Curatorial Assistant &Exhibition Programs Manager supports the research, development, andrealization of exhibitions, publications, curatorial initiatives,and artistic programs. Acting as a central bridge between artistsand the institution during the conceptual and developmental phasesof projects, this role guides artistic initiatives from earlyideation through finalized curatorial content and program executionensuring deliverables to ICA’s Project Manager.

Unit:

Institute for Contemporary Art MBU

Department:

Institute for Contemporary Art

Department Summary:

Designed by Steven HollArchitects and located at the corner of Broad and Belvidere, theInstitute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at VCU presents the art of ourtime and provides an open forum for dialogue and collaborationacross the region and throughout the world. With free admission,the ICA is a major resource for VCU, Richmond, and beyond.

Position Summary

The Curatorial Assistant & Exhibition Programs Manager supportsthe research, development, and realization of exhibitions,publications, curatorial initiatives, and artistic programs. Actingas a central bridge between artists and the institution during theconceptual and developmental phases of projects, this role guidesartistic initiatives from early ideation through finalizedcuratorial content and program execution ensuring deliverables toICA’s Project Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

Curatorial Research & Exhibition Development

Conduct research related to exhibitions, artists, commissions,publications, and institutional initiatives.
Assist curators and artists in the development of exhibitionconcepts, thematic frameworks, and curatorial narratives.
Support the refinement and completion of exhibition checklistsin collaboration with artists and curators.
Coordinate artist communication throughout exhibition andpublication development processes.
Draft, edit, and oversee the development of interpretivematerials including wall texts, brochures, didactics, web content,exhibition guides, and publications.
Coordinate image acquisition, editorial workflows, rightsmanagement, and publication materials related to exhibitions andartist projects.
Assist in the development and coordination of artistpublications and exhibition-related printed materials.

Artist Relations & Curatorial Coordination

Serve as a primary liaison between artists and the institutionduring the development phases of exhibitions and curatorialinitiatives.
Guide projects from early ideation through finalized curatorialcontent and institutional alignment.
Schedule and coordinate planning meetings, studio visits, sitevisits, and project development sessions.
Coordinate artist itineraries, hospitality, and travel relatedto exhibition development, curatorial research, institutionalpartnerships, and touring exhibition research.
Organize research travel and logistical planning connected tocuratorial initiatives and institutional collaborations.
Maintain project documentation, meeting notes, schedules, andcuratorial records throughout development stages.
Collaborate closely with the Project Manager to transitionfinalized materials and approved project content into productionand implementation phases.

Exhibition Programs

Lead the development, planning, coordination, and execution ofexhibition programs from ideation through implementation.
Collaborate with artists, curators, speakers, performers, andinstitutional partners on public-facing initiatives connected toexhibitions and institutional priorities.
Develop program timelines, organizational workflows, andplanning structures for curatorial initiatives and publicprograms.
Coordinate program logistics including schedules, hospitality,travel, itineraries, run-of-show documents, and internalcommunications.
Work closely with communications, exhibitions, AV, visitorengagement, and operations teams to ensure successfulimplementation of curatorial programs.
Support interdisciplinary programming including screenings,lectures, performances, symposia, and public conversations.

Administrative Coordination & Institutional Planning

Maintain organized curatorial records, calendars, schedules,and project documentation.
Assist with budget tracking, contracts, invoices, andadministrative coordination related to curatorial initiatives andprograms.
Support grant-related research, reporting, and institutionalplanning initiatives as needed.
Ensure consistent communication and coordination acrossartists, curators, institutional partners, and internal departmentsthroughout project development phases.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, MuseumStudies, Arts Administration, or related field or equivalentcombination of education, experience, and training
Minimum 2–4 years of experience in a museum, gallery, nonprofitarts organization, or related cultural institution.
Strong research, writing, editorial, and organizationalabilities.
Demonstrated experience coordinating exhibitions, publications,artist projects, or curatorial programs.
Excellent communication and project coordination skills.
Knowledge of contemporary art and curatorial practicerequired.
Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment ofrespect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or acommitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree preferred.

Salary Range:

$55,000 - $65,000

Benefits:

All full-time university staff are eligible forVCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annualand holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planningand savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs,employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunitiesfor career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Hours per Week:

Restricted Position:

ORP Eligible:

Flexible Work Arrangement:

Hybrid

University Job Title:

2825S - Sr Curatorial Assistant MSSenior

Application Deadline:

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Contact Information: