Current Opportunities
Jessie Ball duPont Curator of Photography
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts invites applications for the Jessie Ball duPont Curator of Photography. This is a newly created senior-level position at one of the world’s finest museums. We seek an accomplished curator with an international reputation in the field of photography to advance the curatorial vision for a collection of more than 10,000 works of art. The new curator will also be responsible for organizing a major Aaron Siskind retrospective exhibition, based on the key set of the artist’s greatest photographs that VMFA received from the Aaron Siskind Foundation in September 2019, as well as administering the annual Aaron Siskind Prize.
This is a restricted position endowed by the Jessie Ball duPont fund.
The anticipated hire date for this position is July of 2021.
Employee Benefits:
This is a salaried faculty exempt position that offers Commonwealth of Virginia employee benefits such as 12 paid holidays, health benefits and more. VMFA staff also enjoy museum benefits like free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, and discounts at Amuse Restaurant, Best Café, and VMFA Shop.
About the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts:
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia, is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA, which opened in 1936, is a state agency and privately endowed educational institution. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret art, and to encourage the study of the arts. Through the Office of Statewide Partnerships program, the museum offers curated exhibitions, arts-related audiovisual programs, symposia, lectures, conferences and workshops by visual and performing artists. In addition to presenting a wide array of special exhibitions, the museum provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a global collection of art that spans more than 6,000 years. VMFA’s permanent holdings encompass nearly 40,000 artworks, including the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris, and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, and French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, British sporting and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan and African art. In May 2010, VMFA opened its doors to the public after a transformative expansion, the largest in its history.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission.
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants should have a proven record of successfully developing and implementing major exhibitions and permanent collection installations, as well as a history of publishing accompanying catalogues and new scholarship.
Applicants should also have an international network of relationships in the art and museum world, including galleries and auction houses, as there is a substantial acquisition budget.
Excellent communication and organizational skills are required and the ability to work in a highly collaborative, team-based environment is essential.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Art History or a related discipline, or have equivalent applicable experience or training. PhD in Art History or a related discipline is a plus.
Special Requirements:
Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check.
Position requires employee to file a Statement of Economic Interests form annually.
Special instructions to applicants:
Please submit at least three (3) professional references.
This position will remain open until filled. However, interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by January 15, 2021.
Please contact the HR office at recruitment@vmfa.museum if you need assistance. VMFA is an EEO/AA and Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer.
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