Director and Chief Curator, Wattis Institute
California College of the Arts
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Director and Chief Curator, Wattis Institute
The CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts was established as part of CCA’s San Francisco location in 1998 as a forum for the public presentation and discussion of international contemporary art, architecture, design, and curatorial practice. Occupying a strategic niche between artist-run spaces and museums, the CCA Wattis Institute operates as an independent laboratory to experiment with non-traditional ways of presenting art. Through groundbreaking exhibitions, the Capp Street Project artist residency program, lectures, symposia, and publications, the CCA Wattis Institute has an international reputation as one of the most exciting venues for contemporary culture in the United States.
The Wattis is currently located in the Potrero Hill neighborhood in San Francisco, in walking distance to the vibrant CCA campus. In September 2024, CCA will complete its major campus expansion project designed by award-winning architect Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang. This building will feature a new home for the Wattis in the center of the campus.
The director of the Wattis Institute is responsible for the curatorial vision, strategic leadership, fundraising initiatives, and overall management of Wattis programs, staffing, and resources. The director formulates and implements the annual exhibition and public program schedule at the Wattis Institute, personally curating exhibitions and engaging other curators as needed. The director researches and writes scholarly essays for catalogs and other print and online publications and is an effective and compelling communicator in print and in person. The director is a passionate advocate for the program, vision and values of the CCA Wattis Institute, building college-wide and public support for the program with the goal of sustaining a robust visitorship, donor base, and reputation for excellence. The director builds on existing relationships with current donors, cultivates new patrons, and engages with Wattis stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
California College of the Arts is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to its diversity.
For full job description and to apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/4286945.
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Responsibilities
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Programming, Exhibitions & Budget Management - 40% of time
With considerable independence, but in consultation with faculty and academic leadership, develops exhibitions, lectures, symposia, performances, conferences, artists/scholars-in-residence, and community outreach projects.
Serves as a local, national, and international advocate for the college and its public programming interest through strong working relationships with curators, scholars, artists, architects, and designers.
Develops and manages exhibitions and public programs budget; as a department head, represents the exhibitions and public programs area in college-wide budget discussions.
Fundraising - 30% of time
- Works with the Advancement Office to cultivate and solicit individual, foundation, corporate and government funding prospects to support public programming. Assists in the development of public programming grants. Allows sufficient time in program planning (i.e. 15-18 months) to accommodate fundraising timetables.
Academic and Administrative Partnerships - 20% of time
Works with academic leadership, faculty, and students to integrate classroom/studio activities with exhibitions and public programs. Allows sufficient time in major program planning, i.e. 12-18 months, to accommodate academic timetables.
Works with key administrative staff to ensure that public programs support strategic administrative objectives, i.e., advancement, enrollment, alumni and communications objectives, and that the public programs schedule meshes well with the institutional calendar.
Works with Communications Office to coordinate promotion of Wattis Institute programming, including website, press releases, printed materials, signage, social media, and media outreach.
Opportunity to teach in CCA’s Graduate Curatorial Practice, Graduate Fine Arts, Graduate Visual & Critical Studies, Film, or other appropriate academic programs.
Active collaboration with CCA’s faculty, fostering productive networks that are central to student development and professionalization.
Supervision - 10% of time
- Supervises professional and support staff: Deputy Director & Head of Publications, Head of Installation, Assistant Curator, Visitor Engagement Coordinator, and part-time and temporary staff
Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises the Deputy Director & Head of Publications, Assistant Curator, and Head of Installation.
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Significant experience planning and implementing innovative and experimental interdisciplinary and/or community-based programming and/or visual art exhibitions.
Broad knowledge of the issues, trends, and individuals influencing art, architecture, and design disciplines and professional practice internationally.
Established network and strong working relationships with artists, architects, designers, curators, scholars, and dealers internationally. Availability to travel domestically and internationally, as needed.
Demonstrated record of successful fundraising for exhibitions and public programs for individual, foundation, corporate, and governmental sources.
Established working relationships with donors who support the visual and performing arts, exhibitions and other public programming initiatives.
Demonstrated record of successful interaction with the media.
Proven success working collaboratively as part of a team.
Exceptionally strong presentation, written, and spoken communications skills.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with diverse constituencies.
Advanced terminal degree desirable.