Director & Curator, List Gallery

Director & Curator, List Gallery Job no: 495930 Work type: Full Time Location: Swarthmore Categories: Staff, Salary (Exempt), On Campus Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The institution emphasizes academic rigor and social responsibility, fostering a diverse and inclusive community. The campus spans 425 acres, featuring gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods. Who We Are The List Gallery presents curated exhibitions by emerging, mid‑career, and preeminent artists, and facilitates diverse learning opportunities such as site‑specific installations, gallery talks, and creative workshops. Exhibiting artists often serve as visiting critics and lecturers, giving students and the public access to a broad range of media and interpretation. Gallery exhibitions complement the college curriculum, catalyze interdisciplinary study, and serve both the Swarthmore community and the Greater Philadelphia region. The Opportunity The director and curator administers and oversees all operations for the List Gallery, a regionally acclaimed venue that presents an ambitious and diverse schedule of exhibitions including contemporary artists, student work, and works from the Swarthmore College Art Collection. Responsibilities Serve as chief curator and executive administrator for the List Gallery. Tasks include researching emerging and nationally known artists; organizing and curating four major exhibits each year; overseeing both group and solo exhibitions by senior art majors; organising the annual alumni exhibition; designing and implementing class visits; leading gallery talks; consulting with faculty in Art and Art History; managing a fair and balanced exhibition selection process; and arranging visits by artists and lecturers. Administer budgets and contracts. Tasks include managing the gallery budget; tracking expenses and ensuring proper coding; ensuring staff, subcontractors, and student workers follow administrative and accounting policies; drafting loan agreements and contractual letters; staying informed about legal liability and insurance; preparing grant budgets and reports; and seeking discretionary funding from partner departments. Mentor and train students. Tasks include overseeing a student staff of 15‑20 each semester, conducting an internship program for 2‑4 students, providing instructional guidance, and supervising independent projects. The director also hires interns for ad hoc tasks and mentors senior students exhibiting in the gallery. Oversee facilities safety, operations, and design/renovation. Tasks include maintaining gallery security; scheduling maintenance with Facilities and Environmental Services; responding to emergencies such as floods or pest infestations; documenting security and insurance reports; maintaining communications with Public Safety; and preparing institutional loan and insurance documents. Supervisory responsibilities: recruit, hire, and supervise students and interns; approve timesheets; maintain a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment; and provide references for students pursuing arts careers. Qualifications Required: Master of Fine Arts or an equivalent terminal degree such as a PhD, and at least five years of experience curating museum‑quality exhibitions and administering an academic arts collection. Superior research, writing, editing, and public speaking skills; exceptional organizational and interpersonal abilities; knowledge of professional standards for handling, storage, shipment, insurance, and presentation of artworks; ability to collaborate across diverse disciplines; proficiency in social media, graphic design, word processing, spreadsheets; experience with FileMaker Pro, InDesign, Photoshop, Excel; demonstration of curatorial principles and best practices in care and interpretation of art; initiative, independence, maturity, and discernment; creative and critical thinking; commitment to diversity, inclusion, and environmental stewardship; high professional ethics. Preferred: Experience conducting art historical research; experience working with museum collections. Benefits Competitive salary: $120,000–$134,000 per year, adjusted for experience, education, departmental budget, internal equity, and market data. Salary offered is determined by these factors. Benefits include a retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution (fully vested upon participation start). Employees may also avail benefit plans beginning at zero cost. EEO Statement Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy. Advertised: Jun 25 2026 Eastern Daylight Time Applications close: Open until filled #J-18808-Ljbffr