Director of Exhibitions and Fellowship

A.I.R. Gallery was established in 1972 as the first not-for-profit, artist-directed, and maintained gallery for women artists in the United States. A.I.R.’s mission is critical as an alternative space for women and non-binary artists; it is significant for fostering a multiplicity of voices in the arts, continuing investigations of feminist theory, facilitating intergenerational dialogue, and bridging art and activism through interdisciplinary projects. These areas of attention are unique to A.I.R. and lay the foundation for an inclusive and supportive community.

Currently, the organization seeks a Director of Exhibitions and Fellowship who will be responsible for maintaining daily operations of the gallery, including but not limited to the management of exhibitions and events, press outreach and audience communication, and development support. This position also entails spearheading the A.I.R. Fellowship Program. Established in 1993, this program supports underrepresented and emerging women and non-binary artists in New York City. Each year, six artists are awarded a year-long fellowship to develop and exhibit a project at A.I.R.

The successful candidate will have experience in curatorial work in a contemporary art setting, a strong work ethic, and excellent writing and organizational skills.

Exhibitions Responsibilities Include:

• Direct daily operations of A.I.R. Gallery, including, but not limited to: the coordination and oversight of 25-27 solo and group exhibitions each year; providing exhibiting artists curatorial support through studio visits and during installation; providing exhibiting artists editorial support through the editing and copyediting of press releases; managing installation/deinstallation scheduling, equipment/tech needs, photography, signage, and lighting; and maintaining the exhibition space, inventory, and installation materials/supplies.
• Work with each artist to collect, edit, and format all documents related to exhibitions, including press releases and checklists.
• Alongside the Communications and Programs Associate, coordinate the development and presentation of public programs, including artist talks, panels, workshops, and performances.
• Lead and strategize press outreach for exhibitions and events, working in coordination with the Communications and Programs Associate.
• Alongside the Exhibitions Committee, review new exhibition proposals and maintain the A.I.R. exhibition calendar.
• Draft and issue exhibition contracts and maintain exhibition-related finances and invoices.

Fellowship Responsibilities Include:

• Working closely with the Fellowship Committee Co-Chairs, organize all activities pertaining to the Fellowship Program including, but not limited to:
• Managing the annual Fellowship selection process, including inviting a panel of outside experts, preparing and promoting the open call for applications, processing applications, leading the review process, and onboarding selected Fellows.
• Organizing programming for the Fellows, including Fall professional development workshops and Spring exhibition discussions.
• Providing curatorial and editorial support for the Fellows, including conducting regular studio visits and offering them advice on their solo exhibitions and community projects.
• Maintain Fellowship-related contracts, finances, and invoices, including stipends and fees.
• Fostering community within the Fellowship group and finding ways to create connections between the group and other A.I.R. artists.

Additional Responsibilities include:

• Interface with the press and the public to promote the gallery and its mission to support women and non-binary people in the arts.
• Alongside Staff, select, train, and supervise A.I.R. Gallery’s robust internship program. This includes interviewing candidates for the position, assigning tasks and longer-running projects, conducting daily check-ins with program participants, and conducting exit interviews.
• Provide Executive Director development support for researching, drafting and editing proposals, and developing budgets for new grants, as needed. Track reporting requirements, produce reports, and reconcile expenses throughout the life-cycle of all grants, including fund closure, as needed.
• Alongside the Executive Director and Executive Committee, develop short and long term strategy for the organization.
• Alongside Staff, support the activities of A.I.R.’s Committees.
• Provide curatorial support for A.I.R.’s artist members, as requested.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• MA in Arts Management, Art History, Curatorial Studies, Arts Administration, or equivalent knowledge of contemporary art.
• Minimum 3 years experience working in the arts, preferably in a gallery or similarly sized arts organization.
• Must have strong writing and editing skills
• Excellent communication skills.
• Collaborative nature with an interest in feminist working methodologies.
• Proficiency with Google Suite and Adobe Suite, particularly InDesign and Photoshop

A.I.R is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff, and strongly encourages candidates from historically under-prepresented backgrounds to apply. This job description is a list of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with this position and are not intended to be all inclusive. Employees are expected to also perform related duties as assigned by the supervisor or other management.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working independently and will be an articulate public representative of the gallery’s programs and mission. This is a full-time position, four days a week 10-6pm, with a fifth flex day encompassing at-least-once-monthly installation and evening events. The position will start once the candidate has been selected.

SALARY RANGE: 55-60k plus Benefits