Program Officer

Open Position: Program Officer, Teiger Foundation, New York NY
June 6, 2022

About Teiger Foundation

Teiger Foundation funds curator-led projects in contemporary visual art. The Foundation hopes to shed light on curators’ work as they shape the identities of arts organizations and bring artists and audiences together around the urgent ideas of our time. Founded in 2008, Teiger Foundation honors the spirit of David Teiger (1929-2014) who, in his lifetime, championed professionals who pursued their own paths in making exhibitions, leading organizations, conducting research, and pursuing other aspects of curatorial practice. In dialogue with artists and other art workers, curators are thinkers and leaders who play multiple and changing roles in their organizations and communities. Teiger Foundation’s mission is to support these activities and their continued reinvention.

The Foundation entered a new phase in 2021, with the hiring of an inaugural Executive Director. In 2022, it will launch its open call grant cycle to U.S. curators for proposals for research, exhibitions, multi-year support for smaller organizations, and touring projects, while continuing to develop other ways to help curators evolve and thrive in this moment of historic change. Teiger Foundation aspires to a grant-making strategy in which grantees’ voices are clearly heard and drive the process.

Position Overview

The Program Officer is a new, full-time position, reporting to the Executive Director and will be a critical member of the Foundation’s small, hard-working team. The position combines grants administration, project management, research, and grantee support while also functioning as a thought partner to the Executive Director.

The Program Officer will work closely with the Executive Director and Assistant Program Manager to develop, implement, and refine Teiger Foundation’s first formal grant programs, ensuring applicants are supported throughout the process. Longer term, Program Officer will oversee the grant cycles, steward the development and launch of additional programs, and foster a robust grantee “alumni/ae” network. The Program Officer will partner with the Executive Director in diverse research into and strategic contact with curators, art institutions, fellow grant-makers, and mission-driven organizations as part of ongoing outreach to support the curatorial field nationally and internationally. Over time, the Program Officer is expected to deepen their already-broad knowledge of national and international curators and institutions. These collective efforts will include regular local, national, and international travel.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and develop the day-to-day of the grant programs including the annual grants calendar, outreach, application vetting, jury selection, panel materials, honoraria, notifications, disbursements, reporting, external communications, social media, and correspondence. 

• Support the Executive Director in conducting program research, analysis, and planning for ongoing and additional Foundation priorities and initiatives. Depending on capacity, may function as a point person and strategist for new initiatives.

• Champion the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and ability in all actions and decisions, and ensure the adoption of, and adherence to, appropriate values and ethical standards in all Foundation business.

• Respond to higher-level program inquiries and serve as a key contact for applicants, grantees, and panelists.

• Supervise the Assistant Program Manager through the application cycle, panel preparations, management and tracking of grants, and in implementing changes and improvements to the programs. 

• Creatively structure, facilitate, and integrate grantee feedback into grant-making strategy and processes.

• Similarly direct creation/refinement of new/existing applications in Submittable grant software as the program evolves.

• Convene grantees, fellow funders, and other topic experts and stakeholders as needed 

• Oversee integrity of database and grants tracking.

• Lead website content development as site grows to include new programs and grantee projects
• Contribute to developing and establishing Teiger Foundation’s public identity and act as an ambassador of the Foundation in all manner of outreach and communications.

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years combined experience in curatorial work in contemporary visual art, grants management, and/or nonprofit arts administration, ideally including experience with grant panels and/or selection juries.

• Possesses an understanding of the trends, challenges, concerns, and opportunities in the field of contemporary curating. Familiarity with U.S. and international contemporary art institutions is essential; knowledge of contemporary art curators is an advantage.

• Embraces diversity, transparency, and authentic inclusion in their work. 

• Motivated by and committed to the Foundation’s mission. Has a natural enthusiasm and willingness to explore beyond one’s comfort zone and to expand one’s network of curators and institutions.

• Precise and fluent writer with analytical applied research and critical thinking skills. Strong editing skills.

• Must be an excellent administrator with strong project management skills, including a proven ability to keep organized, prioritize, manage time effectively and meet deadlines. Attention to detail is required.

• Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility with no job being too small or too big, and a collaborative, team- and grantee-oriented approach.

• Creative thinker who can work effectively on complex, multi-dimensional issues, deal with ambiguity, and focus simultaneously on the specifics of an issue and the larger context.

• High integrity, honesty and commitment to high quality work, as well as discretion, sound professional judgment and tact. Intellectually curious, insightful, and resourceful.

• Nimble, a team player, and comfortable working in a small, fast-paced, non-bureaucratic environment. 

• Focused worker and a self-starter. 

• Fluency in a range of administrative software platforms and applications, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; prior experience using Submittable or other grant-making or database software is a plus.

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Advanced degree is a plus.


Hours and Location: Hours of work are Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Teiger Foundation is currently working on a hybrid schedule, from the office three days a week, and remotely two days a week. This is subject to change. Some national and international travel is required.

Salary and Benefits: The position is full-time, exempt. Compensation range: $110,000-$140,000, commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits including employer-paid health, dental, and vision care; a 401K employer-matching plan; paid vacation, sick days, and national holidays.

Health and Safety: Teiger Foundation requires that all staff be fully vaccinated (including a booster shot) with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations for medical, religious, or other reasons will be considered in accordance with applicable law. Staff is required to wear masks in the office for the time being.

How To Apply: Please email cover letter and resume, with the Subject Line “Program Officer Search” to jobs@teigerfoundation.org.

No phone inquiries, please. We regret we are unable to respond individually to each applicant. We are only able to respond to candidates being considered for interviews.

Teiger Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving the goal of equal opportunity for all. Teiger Foundation and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, creed, sexual identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other criterion specified by federal, state, or local laws, in the administration of its employment policy. We express and are committed to diversity and equity at all levels of the Foundation.