Job Listings

Director of Exhibitions

Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) invites applications for a full-time Director of Exhibitions with duties commencing on or about December 31, 2022.

Position Overview

The Director of Exhibitions develops, plans, and implements exhibitions and programs that support and advance the educational mission of the College and its varied degree programs. The Director manages the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at MECA&D, six floors of exhibition space in the Porteous Building, and other MECA&D spaces. Providing direction, management and leadership for all campus shows, the Director ensures an ongoing calendar of exhibitions and related programming that is educationally relevant to the College. They supervise a full-time Exhibition Coordinator, guest curators, work-study students, and part-time staff.

Responsibilities encompass programming, publicity, fundraising, publications, managing facilities, and staffing. Programming responsibilities include developing, scheduling and executing multiple and varied exhibitions annually that reflect the College’s values and mission, directly supporting student learning, and reinforcing the ICA’s reputation as a leading contemporary art venue.

The purpose of the ICA is to engage regional, national and international artists, curators, academics and others with MECA&D to advance the College and its mission, to expand the diverse educational experiences that constitute that mission, and to arrange exhibitions and perspectives that the College might not otherwise offer. The Director ensures that the ICA and other exhibitions are as engaging, inviting, challenging, lively and educationally relevant as possible.

The Director manages and maintains the College’s exhibitions policies and procedures, as well as student shows for the BFA, MFA, MAT and Salt programs. Experience with exhibitions is a core component of the educational experience of visual art students.

The Director reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of the College.

Qualifications, Experience, Abilities

A graduate degree in visual art and/or design, curatorial studies, art history or a related field, or equivalent professional experience, is preferred. Candidates with an MFA are encouraged to apply. Experience in project management is needed; experience with contemporary curatorial practice is desirable. The successful candidate will have a history of coordinating events and complex calendars and collaborating with multiple constituencies. They will be passionate and curious about contemporary art and design, as well as the academic fields taught at MECA&D. The candidate must have an expansive view of visual culture. The candidate will interact professionally with MECA&D students, faculty, staff, trustees, community members, donors, visiting artists, curators, and the public at large. They must be creative, generative and resourceful, and have a flair for public relations.

Other:

• Experience creating and executing educational programs to suit a wide variety of ages and community interests is desirable;

• Professional experience in higher education and/or successful grant writing is advantageous;

• Superior interpersonal skills, communication skills both written and oral, and organizational skills are required, as is the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines;

• Ability to work well under pressure;

• Flexibility of schedule is required, as is the need to work on some weekends and evenings;

• Ability to physically pick up up to 20 lbs.

The Institution

Maine College of Art & Design is an independent college of art and design located in the center of the thriving arts district of Portland, Maine. Established in 1882, the College currently enrolls approximately 550 students, the majority of whom are in the undergraduate program. About 1,000 students take classes through MECA&D’s Continuing Studies Program annually. MECA&D’s Joanne Waxman Library is an important resource of art and design oriented books and periodicals for the region. The Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D is a vibrant site for the exhibition of contemporary art. MECA&D is characterized by its intimate learning community, its interdisciplinary nature and the breadth of its programs. It confers the degrees of Bachelor of Fine Arts in eleven majors, Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Master of Arts in Teaching, and the Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies. Our goal at MECA&D is to teach each student how to transform aspirations and values into a creative practice that serves as the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of personal and professional goals. Maine College of Art & Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The College’s accreditation status with both agencies was renewed in 2016.

MECA&D’s seven-year strategic (2020-2027) plan builds on our historic positioning in Portland’s arts district, a shared strategic vision, and proven ability to embrace change.

Strategic Plan Priorities

1. Broaden Our Reach: Online and Distance Learning

Charge: MECA&D will develop a strategy to effectively enter the online and distance learning marketplace in order to expand our audience of learners and generate additional revenue streams.

2. Develop a Culture of Social Change, Racial Justice, and Equity

Charge: MECA&D’s commitment to Social Change, Racial Justice, and Inclusion will inform all aspects of the College. We believe placing these values at the forefront of our work cultivates artists who are true agents of change and connects our community to the world in meaningful ways.

3. Academic Excellence

Charge: MECA&D will cultivate the highest standards in teaching and learning in art, design, and media, and will be recognized for its students’ cultural contributions. The College will be known as an educational leader in the programs it offers, creating and continually improving a relevant, culturally inclusive, and distinctive curriculum that enables students to reach their potential in an ever-changing world.

4. Create a Living and Learning Center

Charge: MECA&D will develop a new Living and Learning Center that reflects the College’s mission to provide students with the resources and support necessary to pursue their education successfully. Building on MECA&D’s historic role as the creative anchor of Portland, the new Center will expand MECA&D’s footprint and identity within Portland and will provide a destination and hub for community activity and engagement.

5. Financial Sustainability

Charge: An essential principle of our Strategic Plan is to ensure MECA&D’s long-term financial sustainability. As informed by data and other qualitative metrics, we will identify a financial framework and a series of revenue-focused strategic priorities in support of sustainable results and MECA&D’s overall fiscal plan.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation ranges from $55,000 to $62,000, contingent upon experience. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including health, dental, vacation, sick and retirement benefits.

To Apply

Applications will be reviewed immediately and until the position is filled. Candidates who submit their materials by Nov 15, 2022 are assured full consideration. Digital application required. In one PDF file not to exceed 25MB please include: (1) an application letter that describes how the candidate’s experience, accomplishments and qualifications intersect with the position; (2) a resumé or curriculum vitae; (3) a diversity statement; and (4) the names and contact information of four current references. The candidate may also submit two writing samples and/or a visual portfolio of exhibitions.

Attach the PDF to an email and send to employment@meca.edu. Place “Exhibitions Director: [Your Name]” in the Subject line. Applications will be kept confidential until such time as candidates visit campus.