Senior Curator

Organization Summary

Swiss Institute (“SI”) is an independent non-profit contemporary art institution dedicated to promoting forward-thinking and experimental artmaking through innovative exhibitions, education, and programs. Committed to the highest standards of curatorial and educational excellence, SI serves as a platform for emerging artists, catalyzes new perspectives on celebrated work, and fosters appreciation for underrecognized positions. Open to the public free of charge, SI is committed to being an organization that is diverse, equitable, accessible, and sustainable in its work, structure, and programming.

Job Summary

SI seeks an accomplished, visionary, and globally engaged curator to serve as Senior Curator. As a key member of SI’s leadership team, the Senior Curator plays a central role in shaping and advancing the institution’s artistic vision and mission.

Working in close partnership with the Director, the Senior Curator leads the curatorial department and develops and delivers an ambitious program of exhibitions, new commissions, off-site projects, public programs, publications, and digital initiatives. The Senior Curator serves as a prominent public representative of SI, cultivating relationships across local and international artistic communities and with institutional partners worldwide. The position requires extensive knowledge of contemporary art and artistic practices globally, as well as demonstrated experience commissioning new work, collaborating closely with artists, and managing the full cycle of exhibitions and interdisciplinary programs from research and conceptual development through production, installation, and public presentation. Working collaboratively across all departments, the Senior Curator ensures that SI’s artistic program is rigorous, distinctive, and realized to the highest standard.

The Senior Curator reports to the Director and supervises the Head of Gallery Operations and the Associate Curator, Public Programs & Residencies.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of SI’s exhibition season and related programs, publications, and commissions, working closely with artists and collaborators from conceptual development through production, installation, and presentation as well as managing relationships with external partners

• Develop and deliver a multi-year curatorial strategy and research pipeline, in close dialogue with the Director, that advances SI’s mission and strategic goals through ambitious artistic and interdisciplinary programs responsive to emerging and underrecognized practices

• Provide effective leadership and management of the curatorial program in collaboration with the Director, Associate Curator, Public Programs & Residencies, and Head of Gallery Operations

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate curatorial staff; establish clear priorities and workflows; and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable departmental culture that supports professional growth

• Develop and oversee project plans, schedules, and workflows for exhibitions and related programs, coordinating artists, galleries, lenders, vendors, and internal teams; manage loans, traveling exhibitions, contracts, production, shipping, customs, insurance, and installation to deliver each project safely, on time, and within budget

• Oversee exhibition design and gallery management in collaboration with the Head of Gallery Operations

• Oversee and collaborate with the Associate Curator, Public Programs & Residencies, to curate and produce public programming

• Collaborate with the education department, visitor services team, and freelance staff and vendors to deliver accessible programs and events aligned with SI’s artistic vision; assess audience engagement and program outcomes to inform future curatorial planning and interpretation

• Develop, research, write, and/or edit exhibition-related materials such as didactics, labels, press releases, and gallery guides that communicate and engage across diverse audiences, and oversee the production and distribution of all exhibition-related publications and catalogues

• Oversee the consistent documentation and archiving of exhibitions, commissions, programs, and publications to preserve SI’s institutional history and support future research

• Develop and manage the annual curatorial budget in collaboration with the Director and finance department, ensuring that exhibitions and programs are delivered on schedule and within approved budgets

• Collaborate with the development department to identify funding opportunities and cultivate donors, and contribute to grant proposals and applications

• Travel nationally and internationally for curatorial research, exhibition visits, and studio visits with artists and to develop institutional partnerships

• Represent SI through lectures, panels, and other public and professional forums, strengthening the institution’s visibility and contribution to contemporary art discourse

Requirements

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in a museum setting in curating, exhibition design, community engagement, and project management required

• Master’s degree required

• Affinity with the mission of SI

• Extensive knowledge of contemporary art and culture, with strong relationships with artists, writers, and art institutions nationally and internationally

• Excellent project management, supervisory, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills

• Exceptional communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills, including art writing and public speaking, with the ability to dynamically translate SI’s mission to multiple stakeholders

• Experience leading, managing, and motivating a curatorial and cross-departmental team

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), eTapestry, Bloomerang, competency in social media applications a plus

Compensation

The Senior Curator is a full-time, exempt position with required work outside of scheduled office hours. Local and international travel is required.

The salary for the position is $90,000.

SI offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision coverage; a health reimbursement account (HRA), 401k account, commuter benefits, and generous paid time off.

Additional Requirements

Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background and reference check. You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Application Instructions

To Apply

Please email a cover letter and résumé to jobs@swissinstitute.net with your name and “Senior Curator” in the subject line. They will only contact candidates selected for further consideration.

No phone inquiries please.

SI is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from BIPOC, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented applicants. SI considers all candidates for employment regardless of race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, sexual and reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by law.